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“Parker . . .”
Coen raised an eyebrow at me and looked toward the door for a second. “I didn’t hear anything.”
“No, I just . . . I didn’t think about this.”
Understanding washed over his face. “About him waking up, and me being here . . . in the same clothes?”
I nodded and bit down on the inside of my cheek. “But I doubt he’d notice your clothes. If he had it his way, he’d wear the same thing every day of the year.”
Coen smiled and walked closer to me. Holding out his hand, he waited until I put my hand in his before pulling me toward him. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Reagan, but I think it’s way too early for him to find me here in the morning. Too soon for him, too soon for our relationship . . .”
“Good!” I blew out a relieved breath and moved so I was pressed against his chest. “I think it is too. I’m happy you stayed last night, and if you ever want to, I want you to stay again. But I don’t think Parker should know that yet.”
His dark eyes showed just how glad he was that we were both on the same page with this. “So, should I leave through the window or . . .” he teased, and kissed me quickly when I laughed and pushed against his chest.
“We’ll just have to be quiet,” I whispered, and winked at him as I led him from my bedroom and through the hallway. When we got to my front door, I looked up into his dark eyes and was already wishing for another night with him. “Thank you for staying.”
That look was back. Like I’d just given him the most amazing gift. I didn’t understand it. But if I got kisses like the one he gave me just then every time he looked at me like that, then I’d want to get that look all the time. “Thank you,” he said softly when the kiss ended. “Have a good day, Reagan.”
“You too.” I watched him walk out to his car, and as soon as he was in it, shut the door and tried to school my expression before waking up Parker.
Walking into his room, I smiled when I found him starfished on his stomach, his temporary tattoo on display.
“Wake up, honey,” I crooned softly as I rubbed his back. “Parker, wake up.”
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He rolled his head to the side and looked up at me sleepily.
“Morning.”
“Hi, Mom.” He did a weird little wave before gasping and sitting up on his knees and looking around.
“What’s wrong?”
“Where’s Coen?”
My body froze. Had he heard us? Oh God. My stomach filled with dread at that thought. “He’s at his house, baby.”
When Parker looked at me again, he was disappointed. “Oh.”
I licked my lips quickly and had to look away for a second as I tried to compose myself. “Why did you think he’d be here?”
Parker shrugged and looked down at his lap as he mumbled something.
“Don’t mumble.”
“He’s gonna come back, right?”
I smiled at my son, and was so glad he liked Coen just as much as I did. “Of course he is.”
Parker’s face lit up and he bounced up and down. “Is he gonna be my dad?!”
“What?” I managed to choke out.
It felt like all the air had left my body. I wasn’t sure I remembered how to even pull more into my body. Breathe, Reagan, breathe. How do I breathe?!
“Why would you ask that?” I tried to keep the horror from my tone, but I knew I hadn’t succeeded. Parker didn’t seem to notice either way. He still looked beyond excited.
