“His parents came home early.” He put the teacup down and smiled at Riley. “And I made it home just in time for tea.”
“Yay.” Riley let go of my hand and clapped excitedly. “I’m going to miss you, Ash. I don’t like that you go to school so far away.”
“I know, munchkin. I’m going to miss you too.”
“At least you have Jules, so you won’t be lonely.” She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “I wish I had a brother or sister to go to school with.” Her lip trembled as her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t wanna go.”
“I know, kiddo.” I knelt in front of her and pulled her tiny frame into a hug. “It’s scary going to school for the first time. But you’re going to have a great year. You’ll meet all sorts of new friends and get to ride the school bus.”
“Yeah,” Ash said. “You’re the coolest kid around. You’re going to have a great time. You liked preschool.”
“Maybe.” She wiped her nose against my shoulder and squeezed me tight.
“How about we have some tea and cookies?” I held on, waiting for her to break the hug.
“Okay.” She pulled away and swiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Sit.” She motioned to the table.
I slid into the seat across from Ash and put the teapot I was still holding on the table. She’d dragged her giant teddy bear over and set him on the chair between us.
The thing was ridiculous. She’d named him Giant Max. He was three feet high and wide enough she could barely fit her arms around him. Ash had given it to her for her third birthday, and it had become her favorite toy.
“Hello, Giant Max. How are you today?” I asked the bear.
“He’s good.” Riley giggled as she sat across from Giant Max. “He’s excited for cookies.”
“That makes two of us.” Ash rubbed his stomach dramatically. “I’m starving.”
Riley picked up the teapot filled with juice.
She poured a cup for me, then one for herself, her face screwed up in concentration and her tongue peeking out of the side of her mouth.
She managed to pour the juice, which looked like apple juice, without spilling any and sat down, a proud smile on her face.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She beamed at me and lifted the cloth napkin off the plate in the center of the table.
“Oooh, chocolate chip. My favorite.” Ash shook out his napkin, then draped it over his knee.
I did the same, trying not to roll my eyes at my stepbrother.
He caught my eye as Riley picked up a pair of tongs and set to putting some cookies on each of our plates. “You’re late to the party, Julian.”
I gritted my teeth and pulled in a deep breath, tapping down my irritation so I wouldn’t snap in front of Riley. I hated being called Julian, and he knew that.
“I’ve already apologized to our hostess.” I took the plate Riley handed me.
Ash smirked and lifted his teacup to his ridiculously full lips and took another small sip.
“This is the best tea you’ve ever served, munchkin.”
“Thanks.” She put a third cookie on his plate.
I’d only gotten two.
“An extra cookie for me? It’s my lucky day.”
I looked away, hating how my stomach clenched.