Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“You’re there because you’re my girlfriend.”
“Well, I’m honored to have made it into the Duke family portrait.” I smile, setting the paper down and standing up. “Are you ready for lunch?”
“Yes!” He hops off the chair. “Dad says I can have ice cream.”
“For lunch?” I raise an eyebrow and take his little hand as he leads me to the kitchen. “When did he say that?”
“Before he left. You probably didn’t hear him since you were talking to Mommy.”
“Really?” I squint at him as I let go of his hand and open the fridge. “That’s funny since there are two containers here labeled for lunch.”
“That was Martha. She didn’t know ‘bout the ice cream either.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Theo is very serious about his ice cream. And his lies, apparently. He sets up the step stool by the sink, and I rush to set the containers down and stand beside him, without making it obvious that I’m trying to help since he’s “a big boy who knows how to wash his own hands.” I wash mine at the same time and try to dry them before he hops off.
“Theo, what did we say about jumping off the stool?”
“That I shouldn’t do it,” he says with finality in his voice. “But Dad lets me.”
I turn my back to hide my eye-roll. I highly doubt his helicopter father lets him do anything of the sort. I’ve been babysitting Theo since he was one, and family or not, if there weren’t former Marines outside guarding the place, I wouldn’t be left alone with him. I can’t blame his parents for having security. They even stuck security on me for some time after what happened last year.
“Mommy says we might be here for Christmas,” Theo says. “Do you think Santa will know we’re here?”
“Of course.” I smile.
“But how will he know?”
“Because Santa knows everything.” I ruffle his hair. “And your parents will tell him.”
“But how will they tell him?” He stops twirling and glances up at me with a frown on his face. “Do you talk to Santa?”
“Nope. Only grown-ups can speak to Santa.”
He waits until he finishes chewing and asks, “Do you love basketball?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“Because I do.”
“But why?”
I take a moment to think about it. What am I supposed to say? It’s what my dad and I bonded over, and as long as I’m dribbling a basketball, I can trick myself into believing he’ll show up to one of my games? Instead of saying all of that, I go with another truth.
“Love is inexplicable.”
“Inex … what?” His brows furrow.
“Inexplicable. It can’t be explained.” I point my fork at his Toy Story plate. “Keep eating. I don’t want to tell your mom you weren’t listening to me.”
“I am listening.” He shoves some spaghetti in his mouth, chews, swallows, takes a sip of his water, and looks at me again. “Were you sad when you couldn’t play last year because of your boo-boo?”
“Yes,” I say, offering him a small smile.
Theo had many questions about my boo-boo, and was very confused when I explained he couldn’t see it. He’s too young to understand the worst injuries are internal.
“Can we go watch Cars now?” He pushes away his plate.
“Only because you did such a good job and finished your food.”
I take our plates and stand up, while he wipes his face and hands like his parents taught him. The movie has barely started when Theo snuggles into me and I realize he’s sleeping. I lay my head on his and keep my eyes on Radiator Springs.
10
JOSSLYN
My eyes pop open when the door announces someone’s opened it, and Theo lifts his head and hops off the couch. I yawn and follow along, reaching them just as Lyla bends down to hug and kiss him, while Lachlan pockets his phone and opens his arms to pick him up. Theo starts quickly filling them in on everything we’ve done in the few hours they’ve been gone.
“Sounds like you’ve had a great time,” Lachlan says, kissing his son on the top of his head and setting him down. He glances up at me. “I bet you didn’t think your birthday would include hanging out with a five-year-old.”
“I didn’t, but it’s been the best part of my day by far.” I grin and look at Theo, who’s hopping from one marble tile to another, careful to miss the grout.
“I’m sure you have plans tonight,” Lyla says, shooting me a pointed look. “I hope you do, so you can make one of those get-ready-with-me posts.”
“I’m sure Lang already called to advise you to go on, business as usual,” Lachlan adds, “If he hasn’t, that’s what he’ll say. Besides, there’s no bigger ‘fuck you’ than for Tate to see you’re doing better without him.”
“I’m always better without him.” I shake my head and try not to let my disappointment show. “It’s fine. It’s not like I was in love with the guy.”