And now he’s touching me like none of it ever happened.
But I remind myself. This is the plan. It’s exactly what I asked him to do.
Still, the words come out tight and sharp. “Nice of you to show.”
“You said Long Beach,” he answers back softly.
I blink. That doesn’t sound like me. But then I remember scribbling Long Beach out in my own planner and writing down the Port of Los Angeles instead. I’d misread it somehow and must not have figured it out until after I spoke to Beckett on the phone.
God, I’ve been so frazzled lately.
But still… “You missed the flight.”
His eyes are hidden behind a pair of aviator sunglasses I don’t recognize. “I got held up by security.”
His answer sounds oddly practiced.
The boys catch sight of him before I can challenge his lame excuse. “Dad!” Max yells, unlatching from my mom’s leg and darting forward. “You made it!”
Blakey’s right behind him, arms out, voice cracking with excitement. “Mom said you were stuck in Dallas!”
Beside me, Beckett somehow scoops them both up, one on each hip, though their legs hang too long now, knees knocking against his thighs. They squeal anyway, laughing as they cling to him, like they still believe they fit there.
Of course they missed him. How could they not?
I swallow hard, watching their faces—those wide, adoring eyes.
As the person who’s had to make all those excuses for why Dad can’t make it, I’ve seen those eyes dim too many times.
“Daddy wanted to be here… His plane is late. His boss is being a meanie…”
I’m the one who’s lived with the fallout.
And now, watching the way they look at him, as if he hung the stars?—
All I can think is: He’s the one who made them fall.
I should stop this now—tell him to go home, that we need to come clean with everyone. Every self-help book I’ve read would advise against this stupid plan.
Before I can say anything, Luna barrels into us, arms everywhere, somehow hugging me, Beckett, and both boys in one chaotic swoop.
“Bex! It’s been forever!” she exclaims over Max and Blakey’s delighted shrieks, planting a loud kiss on his cheek.
Then she pulls back and really looks at him. Her smile falters—just for a second.
“Yikes, big brother. When’s the last time you slept?” A teasing lilt… but her eyes flicker with concern.
She brightens up again immediately though, sending me a wink.
“Good thing I’m getting married on a cruise. You two are gonna have actual downtime for once.” Another nudge. “Warm ocean breeze, sunsets… maybe a chance to remember you’re not just Mom and Dad?”
My stomach flips, but I roll my eyes behind my sunglasses.
Luna sees right through me. “Seriously—I’m playing the bride card this week. Mandatory relaxing. Mandatory fun. Maybe even a date night or two.”
And just like that, I can’t do it. I can’t be the one to kill the mood, to ruin my sister’s perfect beginning with my messy middle. My messy ending?
So I lock in my smile and glance up at my husband.
