“Tuck me in, Uncle Kenji.”
Qylar winced again, scooping a sleeping Ael into his arms. He peeked at Kenji who’d ambled over and did just as asked. Qylar lowered Ael into the crib and pulled a light blanket over him. When he turned, Zaadi was giggling.
“Tighter.”
Qylar joined them and showed Kenji the appropriate tightness Princess Zaadi preferred. “She doesn’t want to be able to move her arms.”
“Ah,” Kenji said. “Now I know.”
Qylar leaned over and pressed a kiss to Zaadi’s forehead. “Night, princess.”
“Goodnight, Zaadi,” Kenji said, rising with Qylar.
“No goodnight kiss?” Zaadi asked.
“I just gave you one,” Qylar said.
“No, from Uncle Kenji.”
Kenji chuckled and returned to the bed to add his kiss to her forehead, too. “Goodnight. Sleep tight.”
“And don’t let the bedbugs bite,” Zaadi added with a giggle.
Cryss and Alex appeared at the door before they could exit.
“Done already?” Cryss asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t think I was gone that long.”
“Zaadi picked out a short one tonight,” Qylar said.
“I should’ve taken you up on your offer,” Alex whispered to Kenji. “Seconds after you walked away, my bladder screamed, and I couldn’t get out of that chaise to go to the bathroom.”
“You could’ve yelled for me.”
“I’m as big as a whale,” Alex said. “Plus, you were supposed to be talking to Qylar.”
Qylar eyed Kenji.
“We’re going to do that right now,” Kenji told Alex, taking Qylar’s hand.
CHAPTER 17
Kenji pulled Qylar far enough away from the kids’ room to have some privacy and turned to face him. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out. Qylar leaned in closer, silently waiting for whatever Kenji was going to say.
“Can I say something first?” Qylar asked. “Before you tell me whatever it is you want to tell me?”
Kenji nodded.
Qylar led him to their guest room and shut the door. He drew Kenji to the bed, and they sat down face-to-face. From the look on Qylar’s face, Kenji wasn’t sure he wanted to hear whatever news was coming.
“I fucked up again,” Qylar said. “I didn’t consider your needs above my own, and I think I’ve really messed with your head. I swear I didn’t mean to.”
Kenji tensed. “What did you do?”
“When planning the trip here, I knew I wouldn’t be welcome anywhere but this apartment. It was a light in the dark and somewhere safe for us. In my mind, it was the obvious choice.”
“Okay,”Kenji said, not yet sensing the problem.
Qylar winced. “But I didn’t consider how spending time with two little ones running about might blur the lines and make you second guess your decision. And I don’t want you to think I was attempting to coerce you by submerging you into this idyllic slice of family life, either. It honestly never occurred to me until you asked me if you were making the right decision. I could see the doubt in your eyes, and I fear I’ve put it there. Itwasn’tintentional.”
