“Thank you,” Duke said with a nod. “Vivi’s one of the most incredible women I know. She’s caring, compassionate, and she believes that everyone deserves a shot at redemption. She’s made a living out of doing that very thing, right?”
“Right,” Samantha agreed.
“So to see her integrity come into question…” He paused there and shook his head. “Over being in a relationship withme, no less—that was tough.” Duke turned to square a look at the camera.
Viv felt that look all the way to her core. A tingly wave of warmth spreading through her entire body.
“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love Vivi. And I’d do anything to protect her and the people she loves.”
And the people she loves.She knew just who he meant. In essence, he’d mentioned the twins without actually mentioning them at all. Those who didn’t know she had the boys wouldn’t think anything of it, but to Viv, those words meanteverything.
Mom fanned her face and grinned. “Perfetto,” she said dreamily.
And as Duke continued, expressing his own appreciation for the article she’d written about him, Viv’s mind was at work. Thinking of the many people, like half of the stars who’d spoken on Viv’s behalf that morning, who were raising kids while living life in the spotlight.
That didn’t make them irresponsible or selfish, having a public career while raising children. So why had Viv convinced herself that’s what it meant for her?
Because she feared that giving into something so wonderful as being with Duke had to come at a cost—one that put her kids at risk. But what Viv did for a living risked stepping into the public spotlight. It’d been that way for years now. She’d mingled with some very big Hollywood names, after all. It was likely just a matter of time that her real identity—which was nothing special, really—would come into light.
And now it had. That didn’t mean she needed to retreat and cut herself off from all connection to the rich and famous, as they say.
“I made a mistake,” Viv muttered as Samantha thanked Duke for coming on the show once again.
“Weallmake mistakes,” Mom assured. “Looks like Duke’s already forgiven you.”
“He loves you, Mom,” Dante said.
“A lot,” Diego added while climbing back onto the bed. “Are we still going to ball practice?” he asked next.
Viv shot a look at the clock. “I almost forgot about that,” she blurted. A million tingles were still rushing through her blood and blurring her brain. She wanted to shout from the wide window in her room that she was in love and she didn’t care who knew it.
“You boys better hurry and get dressed,” Viv’s mom said.
“Bet I’ll be faster,” Dante challenged.
Diego did a super jump off the bed and onto the floor. “Bet you won’t.”
The two raced out of the room as Viv set her eyes back on her mom.
“So, Duke texted you last night?”
“Yep. He simply asked if I’d come out and watch the morning show with you.” She tipped her head. “Well, he told me he loved you too. And that he was sorry for what had happened.”
“What did you say?” Viv asked.
“I told him that I knew he was sorry. That you loved him too, and that I’d make sure you saw the show. Of course, that was only an hour ago.”
“I’ve got to make it right with him,” Viv said.
“You will,” her mom said with a nod.
“But for now, I’ve got a baseball practice to be at.”
“And I’ve got a shift at the library,” Mom added with a glance at the clock.
Viv was quick to hug her mom, thank her for being wonderful, and assure her that she’d keep her posted on how things went.
While brushing her teeth and hurrying into a pair of cutoff shorts and a tee, Viv considered sending Duke a text. As soon as she got the boys to practice she would. Or maybe she should call him instead. Yes, that would be best.
