Downhill From Here (#1)

11. Conversations in the Dark

Nathan's POV

"I'm sorry," I said letting out a heavy breath and scratching my beard. "I shouldn't have grabbed you like that."

She shook her head, brows pinched with worry. "It's fine. What's wrong with Lilo?"

Placing a hand on the small of her back I led her down the driveway towards the mailbox. The less people within earshot the better. "She won't go to sleep."

"Trick or treating didn't go well?" She asked.

"It actually was good, she had fun," I explained. We stopped at the curb and I pulled out my phone. "We did it for an hour and then she got fussy so I took her to my parents place. Everything was fine until my mom started texting me saying she won't go to sleep."

I handed her my phone and she read over the texts. Looking up at me, she half smiled. "Maybe she had too much candy. You know toddlers and sugar is a bad combination."

"She didn't eat any candy," I said simply.

She raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean? That's the whole point."

I scoffed with amusement. "Lilo was more interested in collecting all of the different kinds of candy's and separating it by color to play with."

Bowie's smile was soft and she made an "awwww" sound.

Lilo didn't eat much candy so she didn't get the point and I wasn't complaining. I didn't want to have to monitor her sugar intake.

"It's getting late and I don't like the fact that she's still up. I might leave early," I suggested.

"So what did you need me for?" She said placing her hands on her hips. It drew attention to her costume and it was the first time that I actually noticed what she was wearing. So much leather and black. The glittery silver eyeshadow made her eyes sparkle and too be honest I thought it looked pretty badass.

"Matrix?"

"Yeah, you like?" She looked down at her leather pants and kicked out her boot to the side to strike a pose. Wearing a cheeky smile, she looked up at me.

"Yeah, you look cool," I said honestly.

"Thanks. I love your costume too," she answered with raised brows.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I was wearing a onesie Stitch costume but took it off."

"You're no fun."

"Anyways," I refocused. "I pulled you out of the party because—" I gestured towards her "—-she won't sleep unless—"

I paused realizing how strange this all seemed. Lilo never needed much to fall asleep. She was always down for the count by 7:30.

"What?"

"She wants you to sing to her."

The surprise on Bowie's face was apparent and she stilled. "Really?"

I nodded my head taking my phone from her.

"You've been singing to her almost every night for the past two weeks and she's getting used to it."

And that's what scared me. She was getting attached.

I ignored the nervous tightness in my chest and scrolled through my phone. "What's that song you're always singing?"

I found my mom's number and FaceTimed her. The phone rang.

"Dream a little dream," she whispered. "Can't you just play it for her on your phone."