Ryan took the phone when I offered it to him. As he listened, his face didn’t change once, even though I could clearly hear Ciro yelling at him.
“I’m sorry Mom was upset. I didn’t mean to make her worry. That’s not what I wanted. I just didn’t want Nova to be sad.”
My heart actually melted at how sweet this kid was. He was so caring, so sincere, it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t be upset with him now; that was impossible.
And if I were honest, I was glad he’d come. Nova had been a shell of her normal self all day, but I knew when she saw her best friend, she would be okay again.
Ryan patiently listened to his uncle snarling at him for a few more minutes before hanging up and offering me the phone back. “Can I see Nova now, Mrs. Hannigan?”
Ruffling his hair, I nodded. “Sure, buddy.”
I led the way to the kitchen where everyone was already sitting but hadn’t started eating yet.
Jet was watching for me, his brow puckered when his gaze caught mine. “Who was it?”
“Well…” I stepped aside, letting them see our new guest.
“Ryan!” Nova screamed. She was out of her seat and across the room in a matter of seconds.
She was a tiny little thing, but she threw herself against him so forcefully, Ryan fell back, being careful not to let her hit her head as she fell beside him, laughing.
“You said you couldn’t come,” she cried. “Did you lie to me? I don’t care. I’m just happy you’re here.”
“I didn’t lie,” he assured her. “I didn’t want you to be sad, so I came without telling anyone. I think I’m i
n trouble, but I don’t care. It was worth it to get to see you smiling at me like that.”
I heard Jet muttering something savage, and I hid my grin. Daddy was definitely seeing what I was seeing.
I just hoped he could survive it.