I sent her a look. “You want pizza again?”
“Yeah…”
“Then let’s go help Addie and Hadley.”
Sage rose from the table and ran to give Addie a quick hug. “See you tomorrow?”
“We’ll see if there are any new wildflowers in the park.”
Sage beamed. “I’m going to try to finish the book tonight so I’ll be ready.”
I looked at Birdie. “Why don’t you get all the napkins and put them in the dirty clothes basket in the laundry room? I’ll get the rest of the dishes.”
“All right.” She sounded as if I’d just asked her to hug a cactus.
As Sage disappeared upstairs, I cleared the table and listened to Hadley and Addie in the kitchen.
“You rinse, and I’ll load the dishwasher?” Hads asked.
“Sure.”
“You have a real way with Sage.”
“I think we’re kindred spirits in a way,” Addie said softly.
“I’m glad you found each other.”
“Me, too.”
I strode into the kitchen with a handful of glasses. “I think that’s everything. What else can I do?”
Hadley stayed focused on loading the dishwasher. “I think we’re good.”
She’d been distant all through dinner, avoiding my gaze and focusing her questions on the girls or Addie. I couldn’t figure out what misstep I’d made in the last few hours. Maybe threatening to go to Hayes?
Addie loaded the last of the glasses. “All done.”
Hadley shut the dishwasher. “You should have Calder walk you home.”
Addie shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s just a couple of blocks.”
“Addie—”
She gave Hadley’s arm a quick squeeze. “I like to walk alone.”
“Okay.”
We wished Addie goodnight and watched as she disappeared down the street.
“You let her wander off on her own, but you blackmail me into sleeping over?”
I shook my head as I closed and locked the door. “She doesn’t have someone harassing and threatening her.”
“Her father hasn’t exactly disappeared.”
It was true. Addie’s asshole of a father was still lurking around town, but he hadn’t contacted Addie as far as I knew. “It’s not the same.”
“Whatever.”