“Fluff?” Tilly’s eyebrows draw inward.
“We try not to swear in front of the kids,” Lucio tells her. “We have to be creative.”
“Cute,” Tilly replies.
I flip the pancake onto the platter, wanting to feed the troops so they can get the fuck out. “Breakfast is done.”
“I want to sit next to Tilly and Vinnie,” Tate announces. “Is that okay, Daddy?”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.” Somehow, I’ve become her third priority in a room full of people.
Lucio grabs the platter off the counter and nudges me with his elbow. “We have a lot to talk about,” he whispers as everyone sits down at the table, waiting to eat.
“We’ll talk later,” I tell him, knowing he’s going to have a lot to say.
“You surprised me this morning.” He motions toward Tilly with his chin. “You took a big step.”
Hell, I surprised myself. I was reckless with Tilly. Something I’d promised myself I’d never be with my children. Although I haven’t said it, I think it’s time to backpedal a little, putting my kids before myself. Even if that means keeping whatever Tilly and I have on hold.
13
Tilly
“Well, well, well.” Roger leans against the building outside the bakery, staring at me as I climb out of my car. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Don’t say it.” I stalk past him and barely make eye contact.
“Tilly, I’m not judging you.”
He doesn’t need to say the words. I know Roger would never judge me, especially after everything he’s been through with me the last five years.
My hands are shaking, and putting the key in the lock of the shop’s front door is virtually impossible. “Stupid door,” I groan.
“Gimme.” Roger takes the keys from my hand, easily unlocking the shop. “You’re out of sorts today.”
“Just today?” I snort. “I’ve been out of sorts for years.”
There’s no normal after loss. Last night was the first time I felt anything even remotely like the old me. But this morning, when I woke up on Angelo’s couch with Tate staring at us, all my newfound normalcy flew right out the window.
Roger follows me into the shop and shrugs off his jacket, throwing it on a banquette chair near the doorway. “That’s not true. You’ve been doing well for a long time. This last week, I saw a glimpse of the old Tilly.”
I spin around on my heels and tap my foot against the marble tile. “And who is the old Tilly?”
He rubs his hands together and tilts his head, probably trying to figure out if I’m about to lose my shit entirely. “The old Tilly is playful and fun. Her smile is infectious and flirtatious.” He takes a few steps forward, easily closing the space between us, and grabs my shoulders. “She’s happy.”
I sigh. “I feel more like myself than I have in years, even today, but…”
“What happened last night? Was he an asshole?” He narrows his eyes, trying to read more into my statement than what I actually said. “Because I’ll kick his ass.”
I can’t stop myself from laughing. Although Roger’s built, I don’t think he’s thrown a punch in ten years, which I’m sure hasn’t been the case for Angelo. “You aren’t going to hurt Angelo.”
“I will if he hurt you.”
I wrap my arms around Roger’s middle and rest my head on his chest. “Angelo was a perfect gentleman last night, Roger. Don’t be overdramatic.”
He places his hands on my back, holding me tightly like he’s done so many other days. “Then what’s wrong?”
“We kissed,” I whisper into his dress shirt. “A lot.”
