“Have you heard anything on Hazel?” I asked, changing Aspen in the nursery.
Please tell me you have.
“I should be hearing from my contacts in the next forty-eight hours. I’ll let you know when I do, especially since I’ll be here anyway.”
Like I need the reminder.
“Thank you.” I hadn’t wanted to bring him into this, but I was desperate. Atlas had influence and ability to get answers in the supernatural community, and I needed to know she was okay. “You know Hazel—she might get a little wild and let loose, but this isn’t like her.”
“You’re right. It isn’t.” He had been close with Hazel when we were together. Before her premonition. Before he proposed.
And when I’d said no, she’d understood. She had seen why, after all.
“Hopefully my people will have some leads,” he continued, arms outstretched for his son, grinning as he took him from me.
Looking at him with Aspen, my heart swelled. Just one prick of regret and it would burst.
I pushed those thoughts away, savoring the moment. He tossed him into the air, eliciting an excited squeal from our son before swaying back and forth with him. Aspen’s eyes lit in wonder, making me curious what Atlas could be showing him.
“That hike we went on a few years ago and all its wildlife,” he said, answering my mental question with a smirk. “Trying to show him some of Oregon for whenever you both come out to visit.”
“Us, come to Oregon?” The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind since I’d been so focused on the move and then Hazel…and surviving on minimal sleep.
“I know you two are still getting settled.” His eyes drifted around to the mostly unpacked house, seemingly surprised. He’d probably assumed he’d be helping me get things together this weekend, but thanks to Lynx’s assistance and sleepless nights, I’d gotten the majority of it done. “I was hoping maybe you’d make it out there in the next few months. I would fly you both out, of course. Hazel too, if she wanted. My family would love to see Aspen, and I wouldn’t dream of separating you two with him being so young.”
That seemed fair. He was just wanting Aspen to get to know the rest of his lineage. One that was integral to the supernatural community. Plus, he’d taken me into consideration. “Once things are settled and I know Hazel is okay, I think that sounds very nice.”
“Why don’t I grab us some coffee? You guys can bond a bit without me,” I added, needing some Atlas-free air.
“You sure?” He seemed surprised, but a hint of pride lingered in his tone.
“Of course. Let me feed him before I go, otherwise he’ll be a hangry little witch.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want that.” He chuckled.
I slipped my tunic to the side and unclasped my nursing tank and its attached bra, nodding over to the burp cloth. I thought about covering up, but it was just a feeding, and this man saw me birth our child, for Goddess’s sake. I looked down at my chest. “I know, terrifying right?”
“I don’t know aboutterrifying,” he said, expression turning curious. His eyes went slightly wide when he saw my breast, half-assing his attempt to avert his gaze. “They are a little moreintensethan I remember…”
“They look like they could have their own sideshow at the carnival,” I said, snapping my fingers in front of his eyes to get his attention back from my over-engorged boobs.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Your tits will always be the main attraction.”
My face and chest heated, any sort of clever retort dissolving on my tongue.
“I get what you mean, though.” He chuckled once more before regaining his composure. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Honestly, I am just always in awe watching you feed our son.”
“It’s okay. I know things are kind of strange between us.” I shrugged, the prior heat dissipating into gentle warmth.
“It doesn’t have to be. I feel like there’s so much I’m missing out on… I miss you both. I miss us.” His aqua eyes shone brighter than usual, sending me a silent plea.
“Atlas…” How could I explain why I couldn’t be with him without hurting him? Based on something that hadn’t even happened yet.The future isn’t set in stone,he’d argue. And I couldn’t. I just couldn’t go there with him right now. My mind was too tired, and my magic was too depleted.
Atlas’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Let me take this, it could be news on Hazel,” he said, heading out to the porch, effectively ending the conversation.
Blessed timing.
