There’s this rhythm that I have with Craig and Sarah, even with the cell phone guy, that I can’t seem to find with Paula.

I’m trying, but we got nothing.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter

THIRTY-FIVE

“I don’t like this.”

Paula is rubbing her hands as Craig waits for her by the front door. She keeps looking between Sarah and me—her two daughters. She glances back at Craig. “I think it’s too soon to leave them alone. We should cancel dinner.”

“Mooooom,” Sarah protests. “We aren’t going anywhere. We’re going to watch a movie and order food. And, no, we will not let the delivery guy into the house. Relax.” She stomps off while Paula looks me up and down. Every time she does this, I wonder what she’s looking for. The baby she used to bathe? The toddler who clung to her leg? Who?

“It’s going to be fine. I have my phone if you need to reach me.” I use the soothing voice I reserve for when I’m babysitting for a family for the first time. “I can text you every so often to give you an update if that will help.” There was one family who I had to send a photo of their newborn to—aka proof of life—every half hour.

Paula bites her lip. “I guess. Just so I know everything is okay.”

To be honest, I’m excited for a little break from Paula’s hovering and the feeling I can’t seem to shake that I am not the daughter she was looking for.

“That’s a nice dress.” I compliment Paula’s baby blue maxi dress. Her hair is up in a high ponytail, and she looks younger.

“Thanks.” She fiddles with her bracelet. “And you know where the emergency numbers are?”

“Yes. I also programmed them into my phone, just in case.”

“Smart girl,” Craig says as he opens the door, hoping it will get Paula to move.

It doesn’t.

“Do you want Chinese or pizza?” Sarah comes back into the living room with menus. When she sees her parents, she stops. “You guys are still here?”

Craig starts walking out the door. “We’re going! We’re going!”

Paula pauses before she follows him.

Once the door clicks and we hear the garage door open, Sarah throws her head back. “Finally! So, pizza?”

Even though I’m still full from watching the game, I nod. Pizza and Movie Sister Sundays.

It’s a tradition I wouldn’t mind starting.

“Is Neil your boyfriend?” Sarah asks when she notices me texting with a smile on my face.

“Um, no,” I reply.

She stretches her legs out on the couch, a half-eaten piece of pizza in front of her. “You sound like you don’t know.”

“Well, technically we’re friends.”

“But?” she prods me. She takes a bite of pizza as she wiggles her eyebrows.