Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(62)
“I would love that.”
“I keep mentioning it to Ian, but organizing dinner dates aren’t his strong suit. Let’s exchange numbers and see if we can’t make something work. Claire just started hockey and the early-morning weekend practice schedule is killing me, but she loves it, so it’s worth the five thirty A.M. ice time.”
“Ouch, that’s early.”
“I don’t even get up that early on weekdays.” We promise to arrange something soon, and when Lynn gets a call, she excuses herself and steps outside for a moment.
I move to join the rest of the group. Judith, Gavin’s mother, gives me a warm smile and lifts her hand in greeting. I steel myself as Karen turns to see who she’s waving at and her smile falters.
“Harley, how nice of you to offer your time to help out with the assembly. One of these times I should do that too.” Judith pulls me in for a warm hug, just like Lynn did.
“That would be great! I usually come in to help with assembly prep when I don’t have a Spark House event. You’re always welcome to join me.” I turn to Karen, wanting to make sure she feels included. “And if you’re ever visiting, you’re obviously more than welcome to join anytime.”
“That’s kind of you, but I think my time is better spent with my granddaughter since I get so little of it these days.” Talk about passive-aggressive guilt tripping.
I try to make small talk with Gavin’s parents and his in-laws, but Karen seems determined to ignore me as much as possible. Thankfully, Peyton’s teacher stops by to say hi. Of course, Karen hijacks that conversation, asking about the academics and what level of math they’re teaching. Judith and Gareth, Gavin’s father, excuse themselves to use the bathroom while I stand off to the side, feeling awkward since Kyle is talking Gavin’s and Ian’s ears off about golf and I’m left on the sidelines.
Peyton and one of her classmates, Krissy, along with Claire, come bouncing over, their awards in their hands.
Gavin has enough time to congratulate them and hug Peyton before a woman who looks to be in her mid-thirties and is clearly a huge fan of athletic wear pushes her way into the group. She’s wearing fuchsia Lycra pants, hot pink running shoes, and a matching zip-up jacket. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail with a matching hot pink scrunchie, and her skin is glowing. Not because she’s radiant, but because she’s wearing foundation with a sheen to it. Her eyelashes are longer than my fingers and her eyebrows are so perfect, I can’t tell if they’re stenciled on or maybe she had them tattooed. Regardless, she’s a lot of visual input.
She makes a beeline for Gavin and thrusts her hand out. “You must be Peyton’s dad. I’m Larissa, Krissy’s mom. It’s so great to finally meet you.”
“Gavin. It’s a pleasure.” He glances down at Larissa, and then at his arm, which Larissa is holding onto with her very perfect, very manicured nails.
She throws her head back and laughs, despite Gavin not making a joke. “Really, the pleasure is all mine. Krissy tells me you’re a single dad. That must be so tough. You know, I’d love to have Peyton over for a playdate. Anytime. I’m divorced, and I work from home, so really, she’s always welcome. Why don’t we exchange numbers and we can set something up?”
I’m rendered speechless as this woman hits on my boyfriend right in front of me and his in-laws. I take a step forward to make my presence known.
Larissa’s gaze drops from Gavin’s stunned face to me. She gives me a once-over that turns from assessing to dismissive. “Oh, it’s so great that you include your nanny in these kinds of events and supersmart for mingling with the other parents,” she simpers and drags her gaze back to me. “Why don’t you be a doll and take the girls outside to play on the swings.”
Gavin’s expression is somewhere between disbelief and hor ror, while mine, I’m sure, reflects my desire to shove thumbtacks under this woman’s nails and then cover her in honey and throw her into a forest with hungry bears.
Gavin puts an arm awkwardly around my shoulder. “Harley is my girlfriend, not the nanny.”
“Oh.” Larissa’s extremely perfect eyebrows arch even more, and her cheeks hollow out as she looks me over again. “Wow. You barely look like you’re out of college. You need to tell me your secrets.”
I give her a saccharine smile. “I go to bed early and I don’t let stress get to me.” I sincerely hope Peyton won’t be going over to her house for a playdate.
Karen coughs and leans in close to Gavin so she can whisper, but not quietly enough for me not to overhear. “I’m not the only one who sees the issue with this.”
If this were a cartoon, steam would be shooting out of my ears and the top of my head would lift off. Peyton, who followed Krissy to the snack table, comes skipping back over. “Harley, can I show you the art project I’m working on? Mrs. Horton says I have a few minutes before she locks up the classroom.”
“Absolutely.” I turn to the group and plaster on what I hope is a successful smile, even though my face feels a lot like it’s made of stiff plastic. “We’ll be right back. It was nice to meet you, Lisa.” I purposely get her name wrong. Now I understand why Chad and Gavin did that.
Gavin looks like he wants to stop me, and also laugh at my clear snub, but I give his arm a squeeze and take Peyton’s hand, letting her lead me down the hall, away from all the catty bitches.