Chapter 87

NORA’S POV I kicked the grass with my shoe, wishing daddy would just listen to me this once. Great Grandma’s party had been fun—lots of hugs, kisses and cake—but what I'd been waiting for since then was dinner with Daddy and Aunt Maya, just the three of us like he promised. When he crouched down in front of me, his dark eyes soft, I folded my arms tight and avoided looking into his eyes. “Sweetheart,” Daddy said, brushing my hair back. “Daddy and Aunt Maya have to go somewhere important now. We'll drop you at home, but I promise to make it up to you next time, okay?” That word again. Promise. They always said it. And then, somehow, it always changed. I shook my head quickly, my lips forming into a pout. “No. You promised already. You said you'd take me out for dinner. And I don't want to go home yet.” Daddy sighed like he was tired, but I saw the guilt in his face too. He opened his mouth, maybe to say sorry again, but Aunt Maya stepped close to me instead, she bent to my level and pla