She gave him a look.
“Right, that was silly of me to lead with that story, huh? What about if Zander carries you in there? Have you got a comfort item with you?”
Comfort item?
“She’s got her mouse. Squeaks.”
Wait. How did Zander know she had Squeaks with her? Yeah, she’d grabbed him and stuffed him in the pocket of Zander’s hoodie. But she’d done that while his back was turned. The hoodie was enormous and Squeaks was small so she’d figured he was safely hidden.
And if she was going to try and run, she wasn’t leaving him behind.
“Squeaks? Excellent name for a mouse, can I see him?”
She watched him warily, leaving Squeaks where he was. She didn’t trust that he wouldn’t make fun of her.
Something like understanding filled his face. “I was actually incorrect when I said that I only see children and this lot.” He nodded at Zander. “I also have some special patients. Little patients.”
He winked at her as though she should know what he was talking about.
Wait, did he mean . . . Littles?
She didn’t know what to say to that. Why was he even telling her that? How many Little patients did he have?
Wait . . . was he telling her that because he thought she was a Little?
Crazy.
At least, she told herself it was.
Zander carried her into the other room. Her breath started to come in sharper pants, even though this room was actually as cute as the other one, with more animal decals all over the walls and the ceiling.
But it was more the chair in the center of the room that worried her. She grasped hold of Zander, not wanting him to let her go.
“Zander, why don’t you sit on the chair with Keira in your lap,” Lochlan suggested easily.
What? That wasn’t necessary. Except, it kind of was, since she couldn’t seem to let go of him.
So Zander sat, arranging her on his lap. Reaching into the pocket of her hoodie, she drew out Squeaks.
“Ahh, there he is. Hello, Squeaks.”
There was no hint of condescension or disgust in Lochlan’s voice. He sounded sincere.
“Now, all I want to do is look into your mouth. Can I do that?”
She leaned back against Zander, feeling the wideness of his chest behind her. His arms came around her, not holding her down, just resting over her body lightly.
Letting her know that he was here for her.
Helping her to feel safe.
Lord, he was getting to her.
“Good girl,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re doing so well. Do what Lochlan says, all right?”
When he moved closer, she felt her jaw tighten. She couldn’t do this.
“You’re doing such a great job, Little Thief,” Zander told her. “You’re being so brave. Just open your mouth. That’s it. Good. Very good. I’m so proud of you.”