“Yes.” I won’t argue with her there. Kres will be around in my life forever now that Eli is in the picture. She’s family. But I draw the line at pulling her into bed with me. I won’t make that mistake again. And soon enough, when she realizes all of her advances won’t work, she’ll find someone else to hound.
Here’s hoping.
She leans in. “I saw Cooper Flanders park across the street.”
“Really?” I sit a little straighter. Cooper is one degree of separation from Laken. “Is he here? Does he want to talk?”
“Nope. He went over to your brother’s house, and when no one answered the door, he went next door to Emma’s. I guess he wants to talk to Gage.”
“Cooper wants to talk to Gage?” My curiosity is piqued. “Would you mind watching the kids? I’m going to take a quick shower and jump across the street. I’d like to know what Flanders is up to.”
“Sure.” She intercepts me just as I’m about to head for the bathroom. Her hand clasps over my bare chest. “Don’t be long. I was hoping we could drop Tobie off at school together and maybe take Eli and Mally to breakfast at the Gas Lab. I’m going stir crazy, Wes.” She bites down over her lip, her eyes raking over my features. “And I’m very, very hungry.”
Her gaze drops to my crotch, and I know exactly what she’s hungry for.
“Okay, fine.” I’d rather feed her a pancake than any part of me.
* * *
By the time I make my way across the street, Coop’s truck is gone, so I help Kres hustle the kids out the door and we drop Tobie off at preschool before heading to the Gas Lab.
As fate, or my shitty luck would have it—although I’m pretty psyched about what I’m seeing—Cooper and Laken are here with Charlie and little Wes.
The Gas Lab is an eat-in diner with a menu that spans donuts to Kobe beef. No one is really sure why, but the people of Paragon are conditioned not to ask too many questions in general. I spot Ezrina behind the counter. Emerson Kragger is there, too, looking like the grumpy Goth she is with a mop of dark hair and eyes that look as if they’re lasering death rays at anyone who bothers to glance her way. And standing next to her is That Bitch, Chloe. The fact Chloe has rejected her own daughters has forever sealed her the title of That Bitch in my eyes, not that she isn’t in everyone else’s.
Kres carries Eli while I schlep Mally in her car seat. She’s still fast asleep, living up to her lineage as the angel that she is. But I don’t suppose that will warrant any praise from Chloe. We settle at the table next to Laken and Cooper, and I note the instant frown appearing on Coop’s face.
Too bad, buddy. I really don’t give a crap how you’re feeling today. You won. Winners don’t frown.
“Laken,” I say her name, out of breath as if I’ve just run a marathon around this fog-riddled island.
Laken’s eyes brighten at the sight of me, a thin smile playing on her lips.
“Wesley.” She pulls the blanket back on the car seat next to her, revealing my beautiful sweet son, fast asleep, his dimples adorably popping. He is my exact likeness, and I couldn’t be pleased more. If Laken won’t love me, she’ll love him, and that’s good enough for me—for now.
“Charlie.” My eyes dart to the blonde princess dressed in a bright pink peacoat looking every bit as beautiful as her mother. Okay, fine. I’ll admit, she looks a lot like Coop. But in my heart, she’ll always belong to me.
“Daddy!” Her whole face brightens as she lifts her hands my way.
Without hesitation I scoop her right out of her high chair.
“E-E!” She points to Eli and bounces in my arms as if she wants to head over to him and I quickly oblige her. Eli is her brother in every way. They’ve been together since the day they were born. This separation is probably hell on her.
“Here, Wes.” Laken scoots Charlie’s booster seat between us, and Kresley moves Eli’s so they’re sitting side by side. I land Charlie back in her place, and both she and her brother tug and pull one another into an award hug that melts even my glacial heart.
Cooper leans back in his seat. “Wesley, Kres.” He nods her way. “What’s on the agenda today? Creating more Fems to populate the kingdom? Or is it just another day of ruling the world?”
I frown over at him. “Just filling our bellies for now.”
Chloe plods this way and peers over at Mally.
“Wes, she’s so beautiful,” she coos.
My face grows hot because for the life of me I can’t figure out how to process this.
“Chloe, we’re not here to wage a war,” I growl over at her.
Kres hops to her feet. “I’ll put in our orders, Wes. The usual for you?”
