“Fine, I believe you. Stop crowding me,” she says, nudging him, but she’s smiling at him.
Lachlan grins and walks back to Theo. “Let’s go get ready.”
“Why do you always kiss Mommy?” Theo asks as they walk out of the kitchen.
Lachlan chuckles. “Have you seen Mommy? If it were up to me, I’d kiss her all day.”
“That’s just weird.”
We share a laugh as I dry my hands. They’re not perfect by any means, but they share a love unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
“How are youreallyfeeling?” Lyla asks as we walk to the door.
“I’m fine, really. It’s not what I wanted to deal with on my birthday, but it is what it is, right?”
“Have you spoken to him?”
“Once.” I sigh as we stop at the grand foyer. “Honestly, I think I’m all out of tears. I’m more upset about who he cheated with than the fact that he did it … which is kind of sad. ”
“The Gracie girl?”
I purse my lips. “Yep.”
Lyla sets a hand on my shoulder. “You deserve better than him. I hope you know that.”
“I do. Thanks.” I smile a little and set a hand on her stomach, laughing when I feel a little kick. “She’s definitely going to be a soccer star like her mom.”
Lyla huffs out a laugh. “I just want her to be in my arms already. My back is killing me.”
The doorbell rings as I grab my bags and keys.
“Call me if you need anything,” I say as I reach the door and unlock it.
“I will,” she says. “Have fun tonight.”
“I will.”
I smile as I pull the door open, but it falls—along with my heart—when I find Finn Barlow standing on the other side.
So it begins.
11
JOSSLYN
Behind me, I hear Theo and Lachlan’s footsteps and force myself to open the door wider to make way for him to walk in—and hopefully, for me to step out quickly.
“We’re just about ready, but come on in, man,” Lachlan says.
“I’m waiting for a call, so I’ll step…”
“Hi,” Theo says loudly when he reaches us, interrupting Finn’s response. “Mommy, is he a stranger danger?”
I look at Theo, whose neck is tilted all the way back to look at Finn. They say animals and children are the best judge of characters, and in this case, I have to agree. I don’t want Finn anywhere near my Theo. Or Lach and Lyla, for that matter, but obviously it’s too late for that. God, I can’t even picture them being friends. Even though his expression is soft, he’s not even smiling at Theo. You have to be a major asshole to not smile at a child.
“No, he’s a friend of Daddy’s,” Lyla says.
“I’m gonna go.” I kiss the top of Theo’s head and ruffle his untamed hair. “I’ll see you soon, buddy.”
