I closed my eyes and fell asleep almost instantly with her hot breath on my chest.
The next morning she was gone when I woke up.
Chapter 16
Anita
You and me, kid,” I said to Arielle as she sucked on a washcloth. “Mama’s going to get it together. I promise.”
She didn’t reply. Obviously. But I felt better saying it out loud.
We were in the bathtub, and Arielle was resting on my bent knees, both of us waist deep in water. Usually I just gave her a bath in the kitchen sink, but after my little meltdown at Bram’s the night before, I needed a relaxing bath. I wondered vaguely if Arielle had peed yet in the water, but figured it didn’t matter.
What I didn’t know couldn’t gross me out.
“I have to go back to work soon,” I said, spreading the warm washcloth over Arie’s chest like a little blanket while she stared at me. “But you’re going to stay with Nana. That’ll be fun, right?”
Arielle’s foot slid up my belly and pressed against the bottom of my boob. “Hey, now,” I said, laughing. “Feet to yourself, miss.”
I cupped a handful of water and poured it carefully over her head, laughing when she sputtered. I didn’t even get any on her face, the big wuss.
“Just so we’re clear, I don’t want to leave you,” I said seriously, running my fingers through her wispy hair. “But mama’s gotta keep you in formula and diapers, ya know? Have to pay the bills and all that boring stuff.
“It’s kind of nice when it’s just me and you, right?” I said when Arie grabbed at my hand and pulled it to her mouth. “I like seeing all your uncles and aunties, but they steal you all the time.
“Yeah, I get it.” I nodded when she looked at me with wide eyes. “You never have to be put down when they’re around. But it’s not like I ignore you. Sometimes Mama has to sweep the floors and you have to hang out in your swing. That’s life, dude.”
I jerked hard when someone suddenly knocked on my bathroom door, my heart beating frantically as Arielle froze at my movement.
“Ani?” Bram called through the door, making my eyes close in dread.
“Yeah? I’m—” The door opened before I could tell him to stay out. “Shut the door,” I called, curling my body around Arielle’s. It was warm in the bathroom, but I knew it was probably ten degrees cooler in the rest of the house.
Bram quickly closed the door behind him, and I scowled in frustration.
“What are you doing?” he asked teasingly, coming farther into the room.
“We’re in the bath,” I growled, right as Arielle squawked loudly.
“I see that,” Bram murmured, smiling at Arielle as he sat down on the toilet next to us. “Are you having fun, baby girl?” he asked, reaching out to run his finger down Arie’s arm.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. I really wanted to cover up my boobs, which were on full display, but the only thing within reaching distance was the washcloth covering Arielle, and I wasn’t going to steal it from her.
“Just wanted to see how you were doing,” he said simply, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “You were pretty upset last night.”
“Yeah,” I replied uncomfortably. “I think I was having a chemical imbalance or something.”
“You were exhausted,” he said tenderly, reaching out to brush some hair out of my face.
“That too. Hey, can you turn the hot water on behind me?” I asked, desperate to change the subject. The water was cooling off around us, and I wasn’t quite ready to stand up bare-assed naked with Bram sitting right there.
“Lean forward,” he ordered, turning on the taps. His hand ran across my back as he checked the water temperature, and I shivered at the sensation.
The water was loud, and after a few seconds, Arielle’s face screwed up into a ridiculously sad expression. “Oh crap!” I muttered. “Turn them off!”
“What? Did I burn you?” Bram asked frantically, rushing to turn the water back off.
“No, but look at her.”
Bram leaned forward after the room was quiet again and laughed as he caught the expression on Arielle’s face. “What’s the matter?” he crooned, making Arielle look even sadder. “What’s wrong?”
She let out a pathetic little whimper, and I laughed as Bram let out a soft chuckle.
“I guess I should get her out,” I said finally, once Arielle’s face had gone back to normal and she was staring at her hands.
“You guys are looking a little wrinkly,” Bram agreed, getting to his feet. He reached over to the counter and snagged the two towels I’d set there.
“Give her to me,” he ordered, dropping my towel on the closed toilet lid and opening Arie’s wide over his chest. He plucked her out of my arms and set her against the towel, wrapping her up snugly. “Your turn,” he murmured huskily.