My chest warms, adoration spreading outward until the heat sinks bone deep. “Sure.”
He wets his bottom lip, biting down as he answers the call. “Hey, Mom. I have someonereallyimportant for you to meet. You’re gonna love her. Just like I do.”
My mouth falls open, and my eyes immediately burn. His name is a breathy whisper. “Bates.”
He glances back over to me, and I mouth the words,I love you too.
Every muscle in my body feels tender and relaxed when I step out of the shower, dry off, and wrap myself in a cozy robe Bates got me, serenity making me feel weightless and content.
I brush my teeth, go through my nighttime skin-care routine, and lotion my entire body up, smelling like a goddamn tasty cupcake by the time I’m done.
“Bates?” I call out as I step out of the bathroom, shutting the light off behind me. “Did Freddie go out?”
He doesn’t respond.
“Bates?” I call out louder this time.
Maybe he’s in the basement or something. Who knows?
I stroll down the hallway, ready to crawl into bed, but something sends out warning signs blaring in my mind, and I freeze in place, backpedaling until the photos on the wall are visible again.
They’re new … and filled with pictures of Freddie and a few of me. Candid shots. I have absolutely no idea when he managed to take any of them.
Iknewhe was using me to get to my cute dog.
Walking into the bedroom, I grab my phone that was charging on the nightstand while I showered, seeing Freddie curled up in the bed, right at home. The second I pick my phone up, it starts to ring, Bates’s face appearing on the screen.
“Hey, I like the pictures in your hallway. Creep.” I giggle.
“Good. I was hoping you would.” I can hear his smile through his words.
“Where are you?” I ask. “Why are you calling me in your own house? Just come in here.”
“I can’t do that …” He trails off, clicking his tongue.
“Why?” I ask, keeping my voice even as sudden awareness skirts across the tops of my shoulders.
Excitement rushes through me.
Because I’m being watched byhim.
“Where are you?” I ask again, getting nothing but silence in return. “Bates?”
“Better be quiet. We wouldn’t want to wake our son.”
Spinning on my heel, I search for an inkling of where he’s hiding. But nothing sticks out.
I take a step forward, and his voice fills my ear. “Warmer.”
“You have cameras in your own house,” I state, not surprised in the slightest.
“Yeah, of course I do. Especially now that you’re moving in.”
“I never agreed to that,” I point out, which is true. “But?—”
“See? Already folding.”
I scoff. “I am not.” I pause, continuing what I was saying before. “ButKerrigan has been looking for a place, and she loves my house.” I drag my hand down my face. “We should not be discussing this right now. It’s too soon.”
