"Mommy, do you think Julio will like it?" Maya's sweet voice pulled Katherine out of her thoughts.
She blinked down at her daughter, who held up a bright red robot toy with hopeful eyes. "Yes, sweetheart," Katherine said softly, managing a smile. "If it's from you, I'm sure Julio will love it."
They were in the middle of a well-lit toy store inside the mall, flanked by rows of colorful shelves lined with plushies, action figures, puzzles, and boxes that flashed with lights and music. Jazz stood nearby, watching over Nathan, who was crouched in front of the book section, his little fingers running along the spines like a miniature librarian.
Katherine had asked Jazz earlier to take the twins out while she finished her work, and as soon as she clocked out, she rushed to meet them at the mall. Still dressed in her work blouse and black pencil skirt, she hadn't even changed or taken a breath, but her thoughts refused to cooperate.
