Lark

08 |

C H A P T E R   E I G H T 

"Look both ways!" I shout at Adeline and Ethan as they run off. Hauling their bags on my shoulder, I quickly get out my phone.

When I dial his number it takes a few rings for him to answer. "Hello?"

"Atlas?"

"Yep. Who may you be stranger?"

I roll my eyes, though he can't see. "It's Lark."

"Oh. Sorry, I hadn't saved your number."

"No worries," I haul one of the kid's bags on my shoulder. "Anyway, I just wanted to call in according to our ... lunch."

"Date. You agreed to a date."

A soft laugh leaves me, "I said maybe. And I'm not sure I'll be able to make it. I have to um—babysit the kids. I'm really sorry." 

It wasnt technically a lie. I did babysit them. For twenty four hours a day ... seven days a week ... and fifty-two weeks a year. But for now I didnt feel like explaining everything to him ... a small part of me kind of liked Atlas and from prevous experince I had learned that once men realized exactly what kind of baggage I came with, the phone wouldnt ring for a second date.

His answer is easygoing, "bring them with you."

Though he can't see it my eyebrows are raised, "you want me to bring the kids on our date?"

"I thought we were going to Lunch. I never agreed to a date." He teases on the other end. I roll my eyes. He continues, "and yeah if you're ok with it bring them. The place I was planning on taking you has a park nearby, maybe they could have some fun."

I think it's over. "Are you sure? Because we could just take a rain check."

"Nah," Atlas says. "Besides, I will be taking you out again after this lunch. And I'll give you a good heads up to when it's at."

"Alright," I blow out a breath. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

He chuckles, "see you, Lark."

I hang up and start the small climb up the stairs, Adeline and Ethan have already reached s the apartment door, babbling something about who won the race. "You guys," I start as they come into view. I'm slightly heaving with breaths. "You have to start getting your bags on your own. I can't breathe over here."

Their faces quickly turn apologetic and they both run down the last flight of stairs to take the bags from me. "Sorry Lark," Ethan says pulling the straps onto his back. "We forgot."

I shake my head and start waking up with him, "it's ok. I'll remind you next time." We reach the top of the door and I push the keys into the lock, twisting it around so it opens with a click. The kids go in first and I go in after taking the keys out and putting them back in my pocket.