"This is the one thing I never expected to happen in a thousand years."
Nathan was smiling, but he still half-covered his face, like he couldn't decide whether to laugh or call it a hallucination.
"I don't know what's more unbelievable," he said. "You agreeing to help with the end-of-year festival… or you actually letting Lea come here."
"Well," Lea said softly, scratching her cheek with a shy smile, "a lot happened to get to this point…"
They were leaned against the kitchen island together, close enough to look casual, far enough to keep the adults from eavesdropping too easily. Beyond them, the living room was full.
The kids—including Lia—were on the floor in the middle of the room, clustered around toy cars, all aside from Lia, wearing those ridiculous little triangle party hats. The adults, including Leo and Lia's mom and dad, were spread across the couch and chairs, chatting with relatives and neighbors and whoever else Jeanne had invited.
