I join them, trying not to think about how natural it all feels.
Maisie curls up between us, head on Norah’s thigh. Norah strokes her hair, humming softly. The screen glows across her face, and I catch myself watching her more than the film.
The way her lips part at the dramatic scenes. The way her fingers trace absent shapes against Maisie’s shoulder.
Halfway through, Maisie starts to fade. Her head dips. Norah eases an arm around her, steadying her. I rise and gather the girl into my arms.
Norah whispers, “She loves being here.”
“She loves being around you,” I tell her before I think better of it.
Her lashes lower. She doesn’t answer.
I take Maisie to her room, tuck her in, kiss her forehead, then return to the living room. Norah’s curled up on the sofa, blanket over her lap, eyes lingering on the screen.
“You wanna finish it?” I ask.
She nods, pulling the blanket aside so I can sit. I lower myself beside her, close enough for warmth to drift between us.
For a few minutes, neither of us talks.
Then she glances at me. “You’re so close with her.”
“She’s everything,” I say. “I’m just… relieved the glasses are helping. She kept bumping into corners. Said everything felt blurry.” I exhale slow. “I’m just trying to be… happy. Or something close to it.”
She turns toward me, brows folding. “What do you mean?”
I keep my eyes on the screen. “When Claire died… everything inside me cracked. I was just—” I cut myself off. “She wanted kids. We talked about it all the time.”
Norah’s voice softens. “It’s so sad what happened to her.”
I nod, swallowing something that rises too fast. “It is. Can I ask you something?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Do you want kids?”
I study her face and watch for all her microexpressions. The way her finger lifts to trace her lip. The way her eyes have a certain twinkle. “Someday.”
“You’ll make an amazing mom.”
Her lips part slightly, like she’s surprised to hear me say it.
I rub my palms against my thighs. “I like you, Norah.”
She stills. Her breath stutters—not loud, just enough for me to feel it. “For real?” Her voice is barely there.
“I know things are complicated with Dorian,” I say. “And Ryker likes you, too. But I don’t want you thinking I’m only here because Maisie’s attached to you. It’s not that.”
“Jude…” She starts to protest.
I reach out and touch a finger to her lips. Her breath catches, warm against my skin.
“You don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know.”
She nods. When I lower my hand, her eyes drift back to the screen, though I can tell she isn’t seeing a damn thing.
A minute passes before she speaks again. “Don’t look at me.”
