“Ms. Crabapple!” Alice said and giggled, thoroughly distracted now from whatever game she’d been playing with Julian and me.
The rest of the meal went well enough, with Julian and Alice doing most of the talking. I chimed in now and then, but was more compelled to simply watch.
When it finally came time for Alice to go to bed, and I told Julian he had to leave, my heart was sore and my emotions exhausted from the ringer this situation had been putting them through tonight.
Alice hugged Julian goodbye, then hurried off to brush her teeth. With her getting ready for bed, I ushered Julian to the door.
Julian’s POV
This night had gone perfectly. I was bonding with Alice, and reconnecting with Amber. I had made Alice laugh, and Amber blush.
And now, as Amber was seeing me out, I was al
