Chapter Fifty-Six
Malachi's POV
Dinner time came and the family gathered around the table. Sophie was talking non-stop about her first day at school.
"And then the teacher said I had really good handwriting," she said excitedly. "And at lunch, this girl named Emma shared her cookies with me. They were chocolate chips. My favorite."
"That's wonderful, Sophie," Travis said, not really listening. He was looking at his phone under the table.
I watched Alicia instead. She was seated right next to me tonight. Closer than usual. Close enough that I could smell her perfume. Something light and floral that made me think of last night.
She was distracted, looking at her phone. Typing something. Her attention clearly elsewhere even as Sophie continued talking.
"The principal is really nice too," Sophie went on. "He came to our classroom and introduced himself. He knew everyone's names already. Isn't that cool?"
"Very cool," I said, though my eyes never left Alicia.
