Em kicks my leg under the table, her eyes going wide, and I know exactly what she’s saying without words.
Can you even believe this? This is craaazzziiee.
I shoot her a funny face in return, scrunching my nose and crossing my eyes, my way of saying:Yeah, I know. It’s fucking ridiculous, isn’t it?
She shakes her head, lips twitching as she tries not to laugh.
I watch Alex dive into his plate, grabbing a chunk of bread with his tiny hands. Lenny leans over, calm and steady, spreading butter for him while Alex’s tongue pokes out, focused like he’s on some mission. As soon as he takes a bite, his face lights up.
“Yummy, Momma!” Alex shouts, eyebrows shooting up, and then he’s bopping his head, doing that little dance he always does when he’s happy. I swear, it’s like every bit of the stressI’ve carried just melts watching him. How could something this simple feel so damn good?
I look over at Lenny and Em. “Leaving tomorrow, huh?”
Damn, I just wish we had more time; my chest tightens.
Lenny nods, scooping a piece of chicken onto Alex’s plate. “Yeah. School’s waiting. You know how it is,” he says. He smiles at me, trying to make it look easy, but I still feel that pang.
Em reaches across, touching my hand. “We’ll talk every day, Wren. Promise. Besides, I gotta get ready for Monday. Spotify still wants me; can you believe that? They kept my position, even after all that mess.” Her eyes flash with excitement.
I feel D’s eyes on me, that heavy gaze that makes my skin prickle. I tilt my head slightly, catching sight of him at the end of the table, his eyes locked on me like he’s not missing a damn thing. His attention is intense—focused entirely on me, like there’s no one else around. Heat rises in my face, and I look away, trying to ignore the way my pulse kicks up.
I clear my throat, letting out a dry cough. “Well… because you’re the best of the best!” I say, grabbing my glass and taking a sip of water, trying to cool down the flush creeping up my neck.
Lenny snorts, shoving a piece of chicken into his mouth.
He shoots Em a teasing grin. “Though, I bet you gave them hell before they decided to keep you.”
Em rolls her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, yeah. I might’ve sweet-talked them a bit. But hey, it worked.”
I smirk, giving her a nudge with my foot under the table. “That’s my lil’ sis!”
I drop my gaze, and for a second, I glance at D. The mansion, the perfect garden, all this ridiculous luxury—it never felt like home.
I take a bite of the chicken myself.
Em’s fork pauses halfway to her mouth, her gaze shifting to me and then darting back to D. “What’s your plan, Wren?” she asks, her eyes narrowing slightly.
I shrug, trying to keep my voice light. “I… don’t know yet.” I give her a smile that probably doesn’t reach my eyes. “But I’ll think of something.” I steal another quick glance at D, hoping he doesn’t notice. Hell, we haven’t really talked about any future, not in a way that matters.
Alex hums to himself, his head bobbing as he chews, completely lost in his own world. I watch him for a moment, trying to ground myself, and then my eyes drift back to D.
He’s staring right at me, arms folded, that look in his eyes saying he’s already made up his mind. He tilts his head, his voice coming out calm, steady, like this is just another casual suggestion. “Well, let’s go live at my place,” he says.
I blink at him. “What?”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “My cottage. Out by the ranch. You, me, Alex. If you hate it here, then we go.”
I just stare at him, everything else fading into the background.
Move in with him?
It sounds… wild.
Em’s watching me, her eyes wide, waiting to see what I’ll do. Lenny’s eyebrow shoots up, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. But D? He’s steady, like he knows damn well I don’t have much of a choice.
88
Wren
