“We’ve coordinated everything down to the tiniest detail. It’s all taken care of, Lo.” I sense his overwhelming parental concern. I turn to Maximoff’s dad. “I promise you that I’d never let anything bad happen to him.”
I’m falling in love with your son.
“I trust you, Farrow,” Lo says with ease.
It simultaneously knots my stomach and relieves me. Our heads swerve as Lily slips into the kitchen, aStar WarsWampacap on her head. Three years on someone’s 24/7 security detail is like a decade of time.
“Farrow.” She smiles.
“Lily.” I hug one of my favorite people in the world. Not bending down to her height, I straighten up, arms wrapped around her, and her feet lift off the ground.
Lily clasps my cheeks in two strong hands. “How are you? Are you eating? Have you hydrated?”
My lips rise and set her on her feet. “Hydrated, well-fed,” I assure. “All is well.”
Lily beams at my choice of words. “All is well—did you hear that, Lo?”
“I heard, love.” He glances affectionately at his wife.
Lily claims a barstool and splays her hands on the counter. “Moffy hasn’t been too stubborn, has he? He doesn’t mean to be. He just likes to take on all the responsibility.”
“I’ve noticed,” I say, and right on cue, Maximoff enters and sits on a stool beside his mom.
“What are we talking about?” he asks.
“You,” I say matter-of-factly.
He flashes an agitated smile. “Can’t figure out any other subject?”
“Don’t be mean to Farrow,” Lily says, elbowing his side.
His brows pinch. “Mom, he’s being an ass tome.”
I lean on the counter. “Listen to your mom, Maximoff.”
Lo dumps spaghetti in the pot. “Question, why’ve you only been calling him by his full name?”
“Ask your son that.”
“Moffy?”
His shoulders square. “For Christ’s sakes, I like my full name, and I’m not a kid.”
I nod slowly, the answer finally coming.You didn’t want me to see you as a child.He’s twenty-two, but I used to only call him Moffy when he was younger.
Lo pretends to be shocked. “You’re not a kid? Jesus Christ, when did that happen? Lily?”
“I didn’t do it,” she says. “I wanted him to be young forever. Like Peter Pan.”
“Peter Pan doesn’t have parents,” Lo rebuts. “You’re taking us out of the picture, Lil.”
“A Peter Pan with parents then.”
Maximoff watches their interactions with fondness, then he looks to me.He wishes for that.He’s letting himself yearn andlongfor the soul-bearing love and admiration his parents have.
I want to give it to you. All of it.
“Farrow.” Lily’s voice draws my gaze. “Are you seeing anyone new?”
