Not waiting for an invitation, Alaric crouched down, his calm, kind smile easing any awkwardness. “Hai, Josiah, I’m Alaric. Remember me? I’m your mom’s friend,” he introduced and extended a hand toward her son for a shake.
Josiah tilted his head, studying him like he was sizing him up. He took the hand reluctantly after a beat, his body leaning toward Roxie as though he just needed to be sure he was close to his mother even as he met this new person. Alaric just smiled, and that seemed to ease the little boy’s apprehension a little. “Did you come for my birthday? I’m four years old now.”
Alaric’s smile widened. “I heard and I am here for your birthday,” Alaric said with a little nod. “In fact, I brought you something.” He reached into a gift bag resting on the picnic table behind him and
