“Uh, do you think you can you help me up?” I asked. “I might actually be stuck like this.”
CHAPTER 44
ADELINE
Amber came in clutch that night. Honestly, when she quit working for me, it was going to be a tragedy, but surprisingly, Theo turned out to be just as vital.
We were at Westwood Manor with him and Zach, the girls in awe of the size of the house and absolutely crazy about the massive yard. They were running around like overeager antelope who’d just been set free.
After letting them burn off some energy, Amber got to her feet and announced, “I’m taking them to a movie.” She glanced at Zach, who was lying on his bed with an ice pack and a mountain of supplements on the nightstand. “You need to recover and that’s not going to happen with those two around.”
She gave me a meaningful look as she picked up her purse. “Stay here and take care of him. I’ll get the girls to bed after the movie. Do not, under any circumstances, worry about us.”
“But—”
“Underanycircumstances.” She widened her eyes pointedly at the ring sitting on my finger. “Your man needs to be nursed back to health and there’s probably a lot to talk about.”
“I’ll help,” Theo said, rising from the armchair he’d been lounging in and sweeping an arm toward the door. “Lead theway. Let’s give these guys some space. God knows, if they’re finally ready to talk to each other, I’m not standing in the way.”
“You were supposed to run with me today,” Zach said to him. “Babysitting is the least you could do for weaseling your way out of it.”
“And look like you tonight?” He scoffed. “Please. There’s no chance. Besides, I facilitated this reconciliation. You should be thanking me.”
“You used my and Adeline’s situation to get yourself out of the race,” Zach retorted. “You’re going to owe me forever. Who uses their brother’s broken heart as an excuse?”
“The same guy who helped repair that broken heart. Me.” Theo grinned proudly and turned to face me. “For the record, he signed me up for it without asking, but I’m glad I ran into you this morning. Life is going to be a lot easier around here without him moping around all day.”
Zach adjusted the ice pack on his knee. “I wouldn’t call it moping.”
Amber rolled her eyes at Theo. “Why did you wait so long? If you ask me, you should’ve done this weeks ago.”
“What do you know?” Theo asked, smirking as he ushered her toward the door. “You’re basically like their third child. How old are you even?”
“I’m not a child,” she said stubbornly, but her tone didn’t make her seem like any less of a teenager and she seemed to realize it. “I don’t need your help taking the girls to a movie, but if you insist, you’re paying.”
“Fine by me,” he agreed without even pretending to argue. When he reached the door, he turned back to wink at us. “Have fun, but not too much of it. His body is in a fragile state, so no?—”
“Kids,” Amber hissed in warning when the girls came thundering down the hall. As they reached the door, she waved them in. “Say goodbye to Mommy and Zach, ladies. Uncle Theoand I are taking you out to a movie. He’s paying, so go all out tonight at the concession stand. Whatever you all want.”
Theo groaned. “Come on. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“It is now.” Amber batted her lashes at him innocently. “You shouldn’t have implied that I was a child.”
“I didn’t imply anything,” he told her. “I straight up said it. Now let’s go. I’m driving.”
“You didn’t bring the motorcycle, did you?” Zach asked, sitting up.
Jennifer and Lu looked at each other with excitement, and I shook my head firmly. “Absolutely no motorcycles.”
Theo laughed. “I brought the car today.”
“Does it have car seats?” Amber asked. “Because if not, we’ll be taking my car, and I’ll drive.”
“Can’t we just move the car seats?” he asked.
Their banter kept up as they waved their goodbyes and left the room. The girls raced over and carefully embraced Zach before jumping onto my lap and smothering me in kisses. Once they were gone, I sighed, wondering if things were going to be awkward now.
The weight of the ring on my finger was still unfamiliar. The knowledge that it washisring this time was mind-blowing. But it would only be awkward if we made it awkward.
