Page 36 of An Unexpected Chance

Last night when I insisted I had to come home, both Simon and Mia were disappointed. But I needed to get some rest and be prepared for today. I hated driving away from them, even if it was only across town. I missed them right away.

I thought about Simon’s mutterings from last night while I straightened already perfectly lined-up chairs and triple-checked the snacks I had ready.

“You should just give up your place.”

“I have a lease,” I responded.

“Break it. Sublet it. I’ll cover it. I want you here. So does Mia. The place is just a house when you’re gone.”

“And what it is when I’m here? A submarine?” I laughed.

“A home,” he said simply, his words honest and steady.

It took all I had not to tell him yes.

“Slow,” was all I said, even though my heart rejoiced at his sweet words.

We hadn’t even been out in public much. Not in the town, really. A few dates at out-of-the-way places, spending time with Holly and Evan. But mostly, it was the three of us. We explained to Mia what private meant and promised her that soon she could tell people, but right now, it was something to be kept between us.

Her eyes had widened. “Like a family secret? Like Uncle E and Auntie Holly expecting another baby?”

Simon and I had glanced at each other in shock. We didn’t know that.

“How do you know that?” Simon had asked.

“Angela told me. Because I’m family,” she explained.

“Yes. Like a family secret,” Simon said. “When we say it’s okay, you can tell people.”

“Okay,” she agreed happily. “I like having a family secret of my own.”

I shook my head, hearing the sounds of the halls beginning to fill. I needed to concentrate on some other children today. I hurried to the door and began to welcome my little charges.

* * *

SIMON

Impatiently, I waited outside for Mia. I had walked her into her classroom today, but parents were to wait outside at the end of the day. I hoped her first day had been a good one.

Holly appeared beside me, smiling. “Hey.”

“Hey, you,” I replied and wrapped my arm around her waist for a hug. “How are you?”

“Good,” she replied.

“I hear more than good,” I said with a wink.

She laughed. “Family secrets being spilled, are they?”

“Yep.”

“We were going to tell you this weekend. Angela knows because Evan gets excited about babies.”

“Can’t say I blame him.”

She hip checked me. “Think you’ll have one of those in your future?”

“I think I’ll have a lot of things I didn’t expect.”