“Thanks for helping out today.”


    “Come on, you don’t have to say that.” Eddie flicked her forehead in a yful, big–brotherly way. “Looks like the amusement park’s off the table, huh? But you said he likes to draw, right?”


    Alessia nodded.


    “Mind if I talk to him for a bit?”


    Her raised eyebrow said all he needed to know.


    Eddie grinned and crouched down, making himself eye level with Ivan. As soon as he did, Ivan let go of Alessia’s hand and ducked behind her, using her as a shield.


    Alessia didn’t try to coax him out. Instead, she just reached back and gently patted


    his head.


    “Ivan, at least listen when someone’s talking to you.” Her voice was soft, not even close to lecturing, but it had a calming steadiness to it that made it hard not to


    rx.


    Ivan stopped trying to disappear and peeked out from behind Alessia, gripping the hem of her shirt for security.


    “Hi there, nice to meet you. I’m Eddie. I know, it’s a mouthful, so if you want, you can just call me Ed.” Eddie looked him straight in the eyes, his smile gentle, voice warm, and features open and kind–easy to trust.


    He offered his hand. Ivan hesitated, but Eddie didn’t rush him. He just kept smiling, patient, as if he could wait all day.


    Atst, Ivan managed a quick, tentative handshake–barely a touch before retreating again.


    “Great job,” Eddie said quietly.


    Ivan’s ears turned a little pink, and he inched further behind Alessia.


    Eddie didn’t push. Instead, he stood and held open the car door for them both.


    “So, your studio’s still running, huh?”


    Eddie chuckled, a fond smile on his face. “Just because I’m away doesn’t mean it shuts down. I have someonee by and tidy up now and then.”


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>11.49 </b>


    Chapter <b>113 </b>


    “When are you heading out again?”


    “Not for a while. I’ve got an art showing up here. You should bring Ivan by if you’re free.”


    “What do you think?” Alessia turned to Ivan, who was absently tugging at his seatbelt and gazing out the window. At the sound of her voice, he nced over, eyes distant.


    Alessia justughed softly, letting the question drop, and reached over to smooth his tousled hair.


    About forty minutester, they finally pulled up to their destination. Eddie, ever the gentleman, opened the door for them and led them into his private world.


    The front garden was beautifully kept, the flowers and shrubs all pruned and vibrant. The studio itself was built from old red brick, carrying that romantic, old–European charm–like something out of a storybook castle. Ivy crawled up the walls, but the giant ss windows were spotless, letting in the afternoon light.


    Ivan looked around with wide–eyed curiosity, though he stayed glued to Alessia’s side, not daring to wander.


    There was a soft beep as Eddie’s fingerprint unlocked the door. The lock clicked, and as the door swung open, the wind chime tinkled brightly, lifting everyone’s


    mood.


    “Come on in,” Eddie said, holding the door.


    “Tea?” he offered.


    Alessia nodded, and Eddie set about brewing a pot.


    She hadn’t been here in ages, but the ce still looked as bright, artsy, and inviting as ever. She and Justin had actually helped design the interior together, way back


    when.


    At the time, Eddie had been stuck overseas with an art show he couldn’t get out of, so he’d asked Alessia to handle the decorating. She hadn’t expected theyout to still be exactly the same after all these years.


    “Well? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what it looks like,” Eddie teased, setting a mug of tea in front of Alessia and a ss of water in front of Ivan.


    “Hey, I did my share of the work here,” she shot back, a hint of pride in her voice, refusing to let him im all the credit.


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