Page 71 of Counting the Days

“My neighbor’s kid.”

Rhea winced but figured any bonding was better than no bonding. Highly unlikely Kai would ever want to speak to her again, but at least his neighbor’s kid thought she was worthy of holding her ice.

For the rest of the night, Iris followed Rhea everywhere. All Rhea had to do was save her from being stomped to death by socked feet, and the little girl became Rhea’s duckling. They played cornhole and giant tic-tac-toe; they ate red, white, and blue cupcakes; and when the fireworks began, Iris shyly asked if she could sit on Rhea’s lap. The City of Pasadena put on an impressive fireworks display conveniently visible from Danny’s backyard.

Rhea chatted with Iris’s mom, who told her, “Iris is usually very shy. I almost never see her like this. You’re so good with kids.”

Danny was within earshot of this compliment, and he gave Rhea a look that sent a shiver down her spine. The look might have simply been pride in his choice of girlfriend, but it might have been something deeper than that….

The night started to wind down, and when her mother told her it was time to leave, Iris cried, so Rhea offered to walk themhome. As they walked, Rhea held Iris’s hand and chatted with her mother.

“So, how long have you known Danny?” Rhea asked.

“Since he moved in…like ten years ago? You guys seem great together. I’ve only met a couple of his girlfriends, but they all seemed wrong for him.”

“Oh, that’s nice to hear. Yeah, so far so good.”

“I feel like if anyone can get Danny to take the plunge, it’s you.”

“What do you mean by ‘the plunge’? Marriage?”

“Marriage, kids, all of it.”

“He’s pretty adamant about not having kids.”

“Oh, I don’t buy that. I’ve watched him with his nieces and nephews for years. He bought afive-bedroom housein one of the best school districts in the city. Some part of him wants kids…even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

Rhea felt tears filling her eyes. This was the loudest sign of all; she now had zero doubt she would accomplish her mission. Danny did want kids; he’d already bought them a house.

She crouched to give Iris a hug and bid them good night. She walked back to her future house feeling immensely strengthened by the conversation. Rhea knew Iris’s mother was sent by the goddess of earthquakes, encouraging Rhea to keep going. She looked up and saw Danny standing outside waiting for her because he truly was a perfect gentleman.

Danny’s sisters ambushed them upon reentry.

“Bye—”

“We’re leaving—”

“These kids areexhausted—”

“It wassonice to meet you, Rhea—”

“Kai, go get your sister—”

“Thanks for having us, Dan—”

“Rhea, we didn’t get to chat much—”

“Wegottahave you down to Long Beach—”

“Dan, who made those cupcakes—?”

“I ate like twelve—”

“Rhea, you’re so tiny—”

“She’ssotiny—”

“Except in the boobs—”