Page 33 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

Hank pretends he can’t feel fear.

Wayne says nothing for a beat, searching for the right answer. Or deciding what he’s willing to give.

“She’s fine,” he says at last.

Hank’s face scrunches with disappointment. “Fine?”

Fletcher’s quiet. “She good with Evan?”

“Yeah,” Wayne says. “She’s… good with him.”

“That’s good,” I say gently, watching him. “That’s what you need.”

Wayne nods once, sharp. “I know what I need.”

Oof.

That edge.

Hank opens his mouth again because Hank has a death wish, but I cut in smoothly.

“So,” I say, keeping my tone light, “did you have to take out a second mortgage to afford the childcare? Or are you paying her peanuts?”

Wayne’s jaw tightens.

“I’m paying what’s fair,” he grumbles.

“Uh-huh,” I murmur. “And you’re actin’ like you swallowed a nail about it.”

Hank’s eyes widen. Fletcher’s gaze sharpens.

Wayne shoots me a look. “Drop it, Rex.”

I hold up my hands. “Alright, darlin’. I’m droppin’.”

But I don’t stop watching.

Because Wayne doesn’t act this way over nothing.

CHAPTER SEVEN

June

By seven a.m., Evan has decided I’m acceptable.

Not beloved, or trusted with his deepest secrets—that’s clearly a tier you earn over time, like a loyalty program—but acceptable. Which, honestly, is a miracle considering I showed up in his life like a surprise package.

And also considering his dad is Wayne Calder.

My one-night stand.

My boss.

My ongoing personal crisis.

I keep my eyes on Evan. He’s simple in the way kids are simple. Not easy, but honest. Direct. What you see is what you get.

And what I get is a five-year-old who takes his cereal extremely seriously, insists the “blue bowl tastes better,” and keeps glancing at me, making sure I’m real.