It was Monday morning.
The house already smelled faintly like coffee and toasted bread by the time I walked Leo toward the front door with his backpack hanging crookedly over one shoulder.
“You have everything?” I asked while fixing the collar of his tiny school uniform properly.
Leo nodded confidently. “Yes.”
“You sure?”
He paused dramatically before opening his backpack to check again.
I smiled faintly despite myself.
Hayes stood near the door scrolling through his phone while waiting for us, car keys spinning loosely around his finger.
“We’re going to be late,” he said without looking up.
I ignored him and crouched slightly in front of Leo instead.
“Be good in school today.”
“I’m always good.”
“That’s debatable.”
Leo gasped softly in betrayal while I laughed under my breath
