“… so, you can see why I was concerned,” Charles said with a warm smile. “My family means everything to me, and when I thought you were an eternal bachelor with completely different values, I held back from aligning my legacy with yours. I’ve seen a different side of you today, though, and the last few times we’ve met. It’s clear that your family means everything to you, too.”
“They do,” Theo said. “You’re right that I was a bachelor for a long time. But when Nina and Jack came into my life, I suddenlyunderstood that I’d been missing the big picture. They’ve really changed me.”
Nina’s breath caught in her throat. Theo was only saying this because of their ruse, of course, but hearing those words from him made her breathless. If only he were telling the truth. If only all this were real. In that moment, she wanted it to be real so much that her head spun.
“I understand that completely,” Charles said. “Now that we’ve gotten to know each other a little better, I’d love to hear more about your business in a formal setting. Shall we set up a meeting and discuss how we might be able to work together?”
“Absolutely,” Theo said easily. His tone was casual, but Nina knew how excited he must be. “I’ll have someone call your office and arrange something.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” The two men shook hands, then Theo got in the car. Nina said a quick goodbye to Charles, thanking him for the afternoon, before joining him.
She waited until they’d exited the drive before turning to Theo.
“I overheard some of your conversation. Congratulations!” She kept her tone bright and happy, though internally, she was worried. This was everything Theo had been working towards. Once he had his agreement, he’d be done with her and Jack, and she wasn’t ready for that.
“Thanks,” Theo smiled at her. “It’s all because of you, you know. You’ve been so helpful.”
“I try,” Nina said, smiling back. “Should we celebrate?”
“Not yet.” Theo looked ahead again. “These things tend to drag on in business. I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a few moreweeks, maybe even a few months, before everything falls into place. We’ll celebrate then. I just hope you don’t mind sticking around a little longer.”
Nina looked straight ahead, too, at the autumn trees and rolling hills they were passing on the way back into the city. She kept her expression as neutral as she could, though she couldn’t suppress a small smile. Theo wanted to keep them around a little longer.
“That’ll be fine,” she said. “We don’t mind. Do we, Jack?”
But Jack, tired out from a day of playing, was already asleep in the back seat.
As they drove home, Nina gazed out the window, letting her thoughts drift. She felt close to Theo after their afternoon of pretending to be a couple. And maybe, just maybe, he felt it too. After all, he’d mentioned wanting them to stick around. And when he’d spoken about how things were different with her and Jack around, maybe he’d meant it — at least a little.
CHAPTER 17
THEO
“Willyouread me a story?” Jack asked. The little boy was standing in the doorway of Theo’s office, wearing his pajamas and smelling like shampoo. His blue eyes were wide with hope, and he was shifting from foot to foot.
Behind him, Nina waited with a smile. She was in her pajamas, too, shorts and a sweatshirt, with her black hair pulled up in a messy bun.
“I hope we’re not disturbing you,” she added. “He was really excited about you reading his bedtime story, so I said we could ask.”
“It would be my pleasure, SuperJack,” Theo said, closing his laptop and getting to his feet. “Let’s go.”
Jack held up his arms, and Theo picked him up. The little boy rested his head on Jack’s shoulder, and as he did so, Theo exchanged a warm look with Nina.
It all felt so domestic and sweet. And so right. He’d meant what he said to Charles — things were different now that Nina andJack were in his life. It was hard to imagine going back to the life of an eternal bachelor with nothing but his work for company. Already he’d begun to wonder if he should ask Nina and Jack to stay longer, at least until he’d been working with Charles for a while. After all, it would be suspicious if his “family” disappeared the moment they’d signed a contract.
Theo couldn’t admit, even to himself, that he wanted this family to be real. It was easier to think that he just needed them a little longer than anticipated.
He tucked Jack into his bed, pulling the superhero sheets up to his chin, and sat in the chair beside him. The book Jack and Nina were reading waited on the side table, with a bookmark in the right place. Theo picked it up, cleared his throat, and began to read.
At first, Jack seemed hyper, jumping in with comments about what was happening in the story or questions. But after a while, his eyelids grew heavy, and he stilled. Once his breathing was slow and even, Theo put the bookmark back in the book and tucked the sheets more tightly around the sleeping child. Then he stood and tiptoed towards the door.
“Theo?”
He froze and turned back. “Jack, I thought you were sleeping.”
“No,” Jack said softly. He yawned and sat up. “Can I ask you one more question?”
“Okay,” Theo went back to the bed. “What’s up?”
