Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(32)

“What about your Nana? Does she let you use glitter?”

“Sometimes, but we have to put down a plastic sheet, and it takes a lot of work to set up, so we don’t do it much.” Peyton’s tongue peeks out of the corner of her mouth as she carefully tries to follow the line she traced.

“You must really be loving the art camp you’re at this week.”

“Oh yes! It’s been so much fun. And Claire’s sister is there too, so I had a friend already when I got there. I get a tummy ache when I have to go somewhere and I don’t know anyone, but I haven’t had one this week.”

“Does meeting new people make you nervous?”

Peyton scrunches up her nose. “I don’t know. My stomach gets all these butterflies, and I feel like I’ve just been on the teacups at the carnival. And then my hands get sweaty and I have to wipe them a lot on my shorts, but once I’m there, I’m okay.”

“That makes sense, and I think a lot of people feel the same way you do. I know sometimes I get nervous when I’m going to meet new people. How are you feeling about starting school next week?”

She lifts a shoulder and lets it fall. “I wanted to be in the same class as Claire, but I’m not. And now I don’t know anyone in my class and everyone else has known each other for a long time.”

“I bet you won’t be the only new person in the school, though. And think of it this way—you still have someone to talk to at recess, and you’ll get to make a whole new group of friends. What about the kids who were at the birthday party at Spark House? Don’t some of them go to your new school?”

She bites the inside of her lip. “Oh! Yes! A few of them do.”

“So maybe you will know someone in your class. Even if you know them just a little.” I hold two fingers half an inch apart.

“Maybe.” Her eyes light up.

“You could ask Claire if she knows anyone who will be in your class. Do you call each other?”

Peyton nods. “Oh yes. We have FaceTimes almost every day on Dad’s iPad.”

“Will you talk to her tomorrow?”

“Yup, after dinner.”

“You could ask her then,” I suggest as I shake some pink glitter onto my yellow petal.

At the sound of the door opening and closing I check the clock. It’s already twenty to eight.

“Hey, babe! I picked up pizza! I hope you’re cool with that!” Chad calls out.

Peyton frowns. “Who’s that? Do you have a roommate?”

“It’s Chad. I know you had something before you came here, but he picked up pizza for us.” His us didn’t include Peyton, but she doesn’t need to know that. “I’ll be right back, and then I’ll introduce you.” I hop up and rush to the kitchen.

“Hey! Thanks so much for picking up dinner.”

“I figured we could have a romantic night in.” He sets the pizza on the counter and grabs me around the waist, nuzzling into my neck.

“You might want to put a pin in that. We’re not alone.”

“Oh. Did you invite Belinda and Ted to hang out?” He backs off, his expression hard to read.

“Uh, no. You remember that family I used to nanny for?”

“Uh, yeah?” Based on the questioning lilt and his confusion, he doesn’t remember.

“Gavin had a meeting, and Peyton asked if she could see me. I figured we were just hanging out anyway, so it wasn’t a big deal for him to drop her off here.” I lower my voice. “It’s only for a couple of hours.”

“Oh, okay. That’s cool. How old is she again?” He sounds slightly disappointed, but otherwise, he seems like he’s okay with it.

“Nine. I’m really sorry if I messed up your plans for us.” I do feel bad, and maybe I should have told Gavin I couldn’t do it because I had legitimate plans. “She shouldn’t be here much past eight thirty, and I figure since you had the hockey draft thing it wouldn’t be a big deal. I should have warned you, though.” I bite my lip, fighting a grimace.

“Do nine-year-olds like hot peppers on their pizza?” He flips open the lid, showing off the mouthwateringly delicious-looking pizza, covered in hot peppers.

“She’s had dinner, but if she wants a slice we can pick them off. Or I can make her something else if I need to. Why don’t we grab plates and you can come meet her?” I’m relieved he’s not upset.

“Sure. Sounds good.”

I give him a smile and a big hug. I gather all the things we’ll need for dinner and bring them to the living room, Chad following behind with the boxes of pizza and wings. Peyton is sitting at the coffee table, still cutting out circles of paper. She glances up when we come back into the living room, her gaze flitting to Chad and back to me.

“Peyton, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Chad.” I motion between them. “Chad, this is Peyton.”

“Boyfriend?” Peyton tips her head to the side.

“Yup.” I don’t know how to read her expression, but I suddenly feel a whole lot awkward about having Peyton here while Chad is too. Which doesn’t make sense.

“Oh. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.” She chews on her bottom lip for a moment and then gives her attention to Chad. She looks at him the same way a kid would regard a toy they aren’t too sure about. “Hi, Chad. I’m Peyton. My dad and I have known Harley my whole life. When I was a baby, Harley used to take care of me because the angels took Mommy to heaven, so Dad said they sent Harley down to help us. And I missed her and now she’s back.” She twists her fingers around each other, smiling at the end and dropping her hands to her lap.