Aleena gave him the address and sat back with Nia. She didn’t think she could feel worse, but she did. She prayed she hadn’t ruined her friend's relationship because of Aleena helping her.
“Stop worrying.”
Nia turned to her friend. “I just feel so bad.”
“Well, don’t.”
“You’re not worried you’ll lose Kaleb?”
“I’m sad he’ll be disappointed in me, but I really don’t think he’ll kick me out of his life.”
“I hope not.”
Nia clutched Aleena’s hand.
“Drop us off here, please.”
Nia had no idea where they were but followed her friend out of the car.
“Larkin is going to meet us by the small shed behind the big tree.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, so I’ll just follow.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Over here.”
Nia jumped when a voice behind a tree murmured to them.
“There she is.”
“Hey, guys,” Larkin said and pulled Nia into her arms. “I’m sorry, Nia. I want to kick Travis so bad right now.”
“I do, too,” she admitted.
“Let’s get you both in the house. Stay behind the tree line.”
Nia followed the girls up the driveway and then into a side door. They stopped abruptly when Larkin held her hand up.
Nia’s stomach grew tighter as the seconds passed.
“Okay, I think we’re good. We’re going to go up the back staircase. Ready?”
Nia nodded.
She breathed a sigh of relief when they made it to Larkin’s playroom.
“Daddy won’t be home all day, so we have time. I also got some crackers and juice boxes for you last night when everyone was asleep.”
“You won’t get in trouble for this, will you, Larkin?”
Larkin grabbed Nia’s hand. “Daddy will throw a fit, but it’s been a long time since I pushed him, and it’s good to get them all huffy once in a while.”
Nia smiled for the first time since she learned Travis had another woman. She hadn’t thought she’d ever find anything to be happy about. She should have figured Larkin would. Nia enjoyed the time they spent together.
The three sat in the middle of the room with dolls.
“What do you want to do?” Larkin asked.