“So I heard,” I murmured. A splash of pink bloomed on Adaline’s cheeks.
When I glanced back at Molly, she was smiling widely.
I lifted an eyebrow. “You haven’t seen me in longer than that.”
“I know.” She clapped her hands to my cheeks and squeezed.
“Ouch.”
“That didn’t hurt.” Then she laughed. “When did you get so big? What are they feeding you down there?”
Carefully, I extracted her hands and looked at my mom over my shoulder. “Yeah, no driving for this one.”
She stood with her arms crossed, watching us with a pleased smile on her face. “Noah just texted he’s almost here.”
My eyes found Adaline’s.
Molly shoved at my chest. “How long are you staying?”
“A week.”
Adaline looked away, blowing out a slow breath.
“Yay!” Molly exclaimed and slapped my arm. “A whole week?”
“Can you stop hitting me, please?”
She laughed. “Sorry, I’m just excited. And a little drunk.” Molly looked back at Adaline. “Did you get all your stuff?”
I spoke up before I had time to think it through. “I can take her home.”
Adaline sucked in an audible breath. She didn’t argue, though.
Mom gave me a curious look. That look moved to Adaline. Then back to me.
Molly shrugged. “Okay. Do you need help loading up the box, Ad?”
Adaline blinked. “Umm…”
My mom waved her hand. “Just leave all that here. I want to look over that binder again. I’ll make sure you get it back tomorrow, Adaline.”
“Can I borrow your car?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Keys are hanging on the wall in the laundry room.”
Molly held her hands out. “Wait.”
Everyone froze.
Molly whirled around, finger pointed at Adaline. “Why did you ask if you manifested him?”
Adaline’s face went pale as a ghost. “B-Because…” Her voice trailed off. “I…”
My mom’s eyebrows popped up.
My stomach dropped into my feet. “Did she? I don’t think she said that.”
Molly frowned. “Didn’t she?” Then she rubbed her forehead. “I swear she did.”
I stared at Adaline’s face, and she looked like she was about to pass out. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“Do you need some water before we go?”
Her face softened into a loose, warm smile. “Probably.”
Mom walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle from the fridge. “Looks like you’ve got this one all taken care of. Get her home safely, okay?” Her eyes held mine meaningfully.
“I will.”
“We’re gonna have a conversation when you get home, son,” she said under her breath.
I blew out a breath. If my mom could be a little less observant, that would be great.
Molly flung her arms around me in another hug. “I am so happy you’re here. Can you come to Luna’s soccer game? She’d die to have her famous Uncle Emmett on the sidelines.”