“Yeah, apparently we love a bit of the forbidden. Who knew?” Lauren quips, smirking.
“And you guys were never caught? You didn’t worry about getting kicked out of college”—my head swings to Raven—“or your dad never speaking to you again?”
Raven shakes her head. “I always knew my dad wouldn’t like it, but I’ve been in love with James for so long there was no way I was ever going to give him up. I love my dad, I do. I just… love James more,” she says with a shrug.
“Caleb was pretty hard to say no to, even though I fought it with everything I had.” Lauren chuckles. “I don’t regret anything though.” Her beaming smile and eyes filled with love reiterate what she says.
“What about you and Theo?” Raven asks. “I don’t mean to pry or anything, but what’s going on with you two?”
“Honestly? I have no clue. We’re dating, I think. Just trying to see where it goes. We—I didn’t want anyone knowing because of our job… they don’t like interworking relationships.”
“Can either one of you find somewhere else to go?” Raven asks softly. Lauren looks on with a quizzical gaze in her eyes.
I sigh. “I could; I just don’t want to. Does that make me a bad person? For not wanting to leave a job I love for someone?”
“Of course not,” Lauren says, sitting forward. “You have to do what’s right for you. One thing I learned growing up is that you can only rely on yourself. Theo’s an amazing guy, but don’t give up on something you’ve worked hard on for a man. Caleb and I managed to keep it a secret until graduation, but I always knew my career came first, and he respected that.”
Raven places a hand on my arm, her face earnest as she says, “Love is always great, but what do you have when that’s not there anymore? I know Theo, he won’t let you down, but it doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you a smart one.”
“Thank you,” I reply, a little choked up, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly.
“Everything will all work out,” Lauren replies, smiling.
Shouts and screams startle me, and I glance over my shoulder, checking to see what the noise is—Oscar’s chasing after Noah, his friends following suit, while Theo stands back with a smile on his face as he watches it all unfold.
“I think it will,” I agree softly, my own smile appearing.
Chapter Forty-Six
THEO
Oscar and Blake will be at my place any minute. I gave Blake a key so she can come and go as she likes. It’s been a chaotic few weeks, but I did manage to pull together one surprise for them, something I’m nervous yet excited to reveal.
The elevator chimes, and I move from the kitchen to the living room to greet them. Oscar flies out first, running over to give me a quick hug before dashing off to his collection of figurines. I couldn’t help it. He now has a matching case next to mine, and he also has a box full of them he can play with.
Blake walks in, and I grin. Her hair’s in a ponytail, her face is fresh with a slight hint of mascara and lip gloss, and she’s wearing black jeans, a cream jumper, and a leather jacket. I pull her in for a kiss, loving the feel of her curves against me. She draws back, and I place a kiss on the top of her head.
“Hi, gorgeous,” I breathe, wondering if I’ll ever get used to feeling like this—as if my heart’s about to burst from my chest with the amount of love I have for her.
“Hey, honey,” she whispers.
“I want to show you something,” I reply, grabbing her hand and heading for the bedrooms. “Oscar,” I call out, “come with me.”
He jumps up from his seated position on the floor, a curious look on his face.
I lead them both down the corridor and stop outside one of the spare bedrooms. Blowing out a breath, I squeeze Blake’s hand before opening the door. Oscar gasps as he runs in. Usually, this would be the part where my brain goes into overdrive, wondering if he likes it or if he hates it, but those voices are quiet as I watch his face alight with glee while he glances around his room in awe.
“So… I redecorated,” I say, hoping he likes it.
“It’s amazing,” he gushes before running and jumping on his new bed.
I had it painted yellow with black Bumblebee ‘go faster’ stripes throughout. His double bed is covered with a Transformers duvet, a matching blanket, and a pillow. There’s shelves dotted around with more figurines, and a box at the end of his bed is filled with… yup, more toys. I may have gone a bit overboard, but I don’t care. Not when he’s so happy.
I finally look over at Blake, who has tears in her eyes. “Is this okay? I wanted him to have his own space when he’s here.”
“Of course it’s okay. It looks great,” she replies, a small but sad smile on her face.
Cupping her face in my hands, I tilt her head to look at me. “What’s wrong?”
