Then his expression shuttered. He turned away like I wasn’t even there, tugging the woman and Brody along with a hurried, “Let’s walk this way.”
“Dad!” I tried again, smaller this time.
But they didn’t stop.
A weight settled on my shoulder—Mom’s hand, warm but heavy. “Austin,” she murmured, her voice low and tight. “Don’t make a scene.”
I didn’t. I just stood there, watching their backs as they disappeared around the curve of the path.
That was the day I learned I wasn’t just forgotten.
I was never supposed to exist.
I shoved the memory back down where it belonged, deep and tight.
Don’t overthink. Just enjoy it.
I shut my eyes and let myself melt into the moment as Winnie hummed a tune, plotting her next braid like a true artist.Unaware of my internal meltdown, Selene laughed, hot coffee cradled in both hands as she watched Winnie secure the last pink barrette in my hair like she was putting the finishing touch on a masterpiece.
“You look perfect, Austin,” Winnie declared, hands on her hips as she admired her handiwork.
I mock grumbled, catching my reflection in the toaster’s chrome surface. A crooked row of clips sparkled like battle medals along my hairline. “I don’t know, bug. Think this is OSHA approved for the jobsite?”
Selene’s laugh curled around my chest, warm and easy. “You’ll start a trend, I’m sure. Rugged construction men everywhere, begging for sparkly barrettes.”
I turned my head just enough to catch her eye and muttered low, “Worth it to get that smile out of you.”
Her lips curved, her fingers tightening slightly on the mug.
“All right, Princess of Hair,” I said, standing. “We need to get you to school before you start charging clients for these salon appointments.”
She giggled, admiring my hair. “I only take payment in cookies.”
“Fair. But your mom said no cookies before nine a.m.” I winked at Selene as I gently lifted Winnie off the table and set her on the floor. “I tried negotiating for you.”
Selene hummed, shaking her head as she set her mug in the sink. “Such a good influence.” She settled her hands on her hips. “Let’s get you ready for school. I’ve got a work meeting in less than an hour.” Her arms opened wide, and Winnie tromped toward the stairs.
Before she left the kitchen, Selene’s fingers brushed my forearm lightly—just enough to linger. “You’re dangerous, you know. Making this all seem so effortless.”
I didn’t trust my voice, so I just grinned and tugged gently at the corner of her shirt. “You keep wearing my clothes like that, and I’ll keep doing dangerous things.” I shifted in one fluid movement, pressing her against the counter and gliding my hands over her hips. Her brows arched as her cheeks went pink. “I should go ... before I start thinking about skipping work entirely.”
I kissed her slow and deep, letting her taste course through my veins. When we were both breathless, I grinned at her. “We can’t have that now, can we?” I stepped back, giving us both space to breathe. “Go on up. I can get Win off to school and you won’t be late for your meeting.”
Selene licked her lip like she was truly debating climbing me instead of the stairs to get herself ready for the day. The woman was irresistible.
Thankfully she was also the responsible one, because given an inkling of permission, I would have found a way to taste her again.
A few minutes later I wrestled Winnie’s shoes on, helped her zip her jacket, and grabbed the lunch Selene had prepped. Winnie looked up at me, her eyes flicking to the sparkly barrettes still tucked into my hair.
“You’re not going to embarrass me at drop-off, are you?” she asked solemnly.
“Me? Embarrass you? Never.” I ruffled her curls. “Though I can bust out my air guitar at the school gates if you want.”
She gasped in horror and shoved at my knee. “Noooo!”
Selene’s happy laugh carried faintly through the open window as I led Winnie outside.
Dropping Winnie off was routine by now. She waved, disappearing into a knot of friends, and I lingered at the curb longer than I should’ve, my hand still half raised like an idiot.
