Mia Like Crazy by Nina Cordoba Page B

and in a much more serious tone, asked, “Are you really doing all right, darling? I know Drew can be a handful.” I noticed she spoke to everyone as though they were her children, but I appreciated the concern more than I could express.
    “Things are okay, now,” I said. “You know I almost left, but he and I managed to come to, sort of, an understanding...at least for now.”
    Meridith beamed at me and gathered me into a spontaneous embrace. I was thrown off, but I tried to return the gesture as best I could. “I had a good feeling about you from the second I met you!” she said. “Drew thinks the world of you, you know.”
    “The whole world?” I teased as we took the same path her brother had taken a few seconds earlier.
    “Oh…” Meridith stopped in her tracks. “I have to run upstairs for a minute. Would you mind helping Drew keep an eye on Molly?”
    “Sure.”
    I knew what most people would think of the idea of Drew Larson being alone with their child for even a second. Come to think of it, he had every reason to be the baby-sitter from Hell.
    But all concern melted away when I heard the sounds coming from the kitchen. A young child was giggling merrily at whatever entertainment was being so skillfully delivered.
    I quieted my steps and peeked into the doorway. The kitchen was roomy and rustic with what appeared to be the original exposed brick on every wall, although the appliances were state-of-the-art.
    The most adorable little blonde sat on the kitchen counter. She was batting at the air and grabbing for something, and when she didn’t get it, she’d dissolve into uncontrollable laughter, her golden locks bouncing around her shoulders. I took baby steps forward until I could see Drew’s fist motioning wildly in front of her.
    “No, you can’t have it back. I got your nose fair and square, so I can do whatever I want with it.” He placed his fist within her reach, then pulled it away before she could catch it. “I think I’m gonna eat it.”
    “Nooooo!” Molly squealed between giggles. “I need my nose!”
    “What for?” he teased. “You’re just as cute without it, and I’m really hungry.”
    He opened his mouth as though he was about to pop her nose into it, then paused. “No, I think I’ll cook it first.” Suddenly, he pulled the oven open and pretended to throw something in.
    Molly doubled over with laughter and almost fell off the counter. He caught her and steadied her convulsing little frame.
    “Don’t even think about it,” he said. “You can’t fall off the counter. If you do, do you know what your mommy will do to Uncle Drew?” Molly listened seriously for the answer. “She’ll take one of her kitchen knives and cut off my nose! And my ears!” Then he stuck out his tongue and added, “An mayee my ton’!”
    Although my experience with children was limited, I thought the mention of knives and facial mutilation was probably a bit unconventional, but Molly was delighted by her uncle’s silly tongue talk. This time, as she laughed appreciatively, she threw her arms wide for a hug. Intrigued, I took another step forward so I wouldn’t miss Drew’s reaction. To my surprise, he embraced Molly and lifted her off the counter as he hugged her tightly. He spun around unexpectedly, and caught me spying.
    “Hey, Mia. Want a cookie?” he asked casually as though he hadn’t been surprised to see me at all.
    Molly and I got acquainted and the three of us enjoyed the delicious sweets together.
    Meridith breezed in. “I see Drew’s been in the cookies.”
    “I can’t let him take the rap,” I confessed. “I think I ate more than he did.”
    “Well, that’s what they’re there for!” Molly shouted.
    “You’re sounding more like your mom everyday,” Drew said as Molly beamed at him.
    “I hate to be the party pooper,” Meridith said. “But don’t you have an appointment with Dr. Schultz?”
    “Well, I was planning to blow her off today. You know Mia’s with