Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(61)

I chuckle, because her nine-year-old brain is hilarious, and look to Gavin to see how he wants to handle this. I’m relieved when he doesn’t lie to her. “How would you feel if Harley was my girlfriend?”

She tips her head to the side. “Would it change anything?”

“What do you mean?” Gavin asks.

Her lips twist to the side, and it’s clear she’s thinking. “Will Harley still come over and spend time with us?”

“Of course,” I say.

“So you won’t just want to spend time with Dad? You’ll still spend time with me too?”

“I’ll always want to spend time with you,” I assure her.

“It doesn’t change anything, honey. It just means that sometimes we might hold hands, and that you might see Harley more, instead of less.”

She ponders that for a minute before she nods. “Okay. Then I think I would feel good about Harley being your girlfriend. If she wants to. Do you want to be Dad’s girlfriend?” she asks me, her expression serious.

“I would like that,” I tell her honestly.

A wide grin breaks across her face and she claps once. “Yay! And Dad always washes his hands after he goes to the bathroom, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to hold his hand.”

“That’s very good news.” I smile up at Gavin, and he gives my hand a squeeze in return, but I worry that this was too easy and the hard stuff is yet to come.



* * *



A couple of weeks after we tell Peyton that we’re officially dating, I pick her up from school. I’ve been added as an emergency contact since I’m often Gavin’s fallback plan should a meeting run late or his parents aren’t able to grab her.

“Harley! I hoped you would be picking up Peyton today! Do you have a minute?” Her teacher, Mrs. Horton, gives me a bright smile when she sees me.

“Of course.” I hug Peyton and give her a kiss on top of the head.

Mrs. Horton asks Peyton if she would mind putting away the art supplies, and Peyton, being the helpful kid she is, rushes off. As soon as she’s out of earshot Mrs. Horton turns back to me. “I’ve sent out an email already, but I wanted to tell you that Peyton’s getting an award for being such a great help with her peers at the assembly next week. It’s on a Friday afternoon, and the assembly starts at one. I was wondering if you think her dad will be able to attend?”

“I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out. He wouldn’t want to miss this. Let me check his schedule.” I pull up my calendar and scroll through his meetings and mine. “I’ll just block it off for him, so he doesn’t add anything to the calendar. Do you need my help organizing?”

“Really? Are you sure you have time?”

“Absolutely. You know I’m more than happy to help. Do you need me to come in for setup or anything?”

“Usually we set up on Thursday after school, but even if you’re here around noon on Friday to help get the kids organized, that would be great.”

“I can do both. Just send me a message or an email if you need me to pick stuff up. I know how busy these things can be.”

She tells me she’ll email me the details of the assembly, and I take Peyton to the park before we meet Gavin at home. Almost the second we’re through the door, his in-laws call and Peyton gets on the phone to tell her granny about the assembly and that she’s supposed to get a special award, but she doesn’t know what it’s for exactly, so it’s sort of a surprise, sort of not.

And of course, that means all of a sudden they’re coming for a weekend visit. Based on Gavin’s expression, he’s not particularly excited about that. And it makes me wonder what he’s said to his in-laws about me and how they’re going to respond to my being there.



* * *



On Friday I arrive at the school about an hour before the assembly to help set up. Yesterday afternoon I brought balloons, and the kids blew them up and stuck them to the walls and the podium, so today it’s just about getting the students organized based on the award they’re receiving.

Not only are Gavin’s in-laws here, but so are his parents. As much as I’m not super excited to see Karen again, considering the frosty reception I received last time, I can appreciate the lengths they’ll go to be present for Peyton and to support Gavin.

The assembly is an amazing celebration of community and good deeds, and Peyton receives an award for being empathetic and helpful. I love that this school celebrates not only academic achievement, but also kindness and compassion.

Once the assembly is over, I meet up with Gavin in the foyer, where they have refreshments and baked goods which were donated by one of the local businesses that Spark House also works with. I might have pulled a few strings to make that happen.

I find Gavin in the crowd, standing with his parents, his in-laws, and Lynn and Ian. Claire received an award for being an excellent team player.

My stomach flips as I head in their direction. Gavin said he’s told Karen we’re dating and that Peyton knows, but I’m unsure what her reaction to that information was.

Lynn is the first person to notice me. She waves and steps away from the group to pull me in for a hug. “It’s so great to see you again! We really need to get together for dinner one of these nights.”