Page 45 of Worth of Waste

She would probably never know.

As long as Karen was happy, he didn’t think she had to.

This time, he wanted to do it right with her, if she would allow him to. No lies, no hiding, and no games. But that didn’t mean he was going to purposely give her information that might hurt her, not if he could help it.

This was just one of those times.

“Let’s just have a good weekend,” Dino said. “That’s the most important thing.”

Karen looked up at him as he passed her by in the doorway. “But what about when the weekend comes to an end? You already told me—back to life, right?”

Dino dropped the bags down. “I think I said that wrong.”

She didn’t look like she believed him. “Do tell.”

Junior toddled over to his father on his newly-walking legs, stumbling every so often until his tiny hands grasped onto Dino’s pants and held firm. His boy looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. His son didn’t even know him, but he loved him.

For nothing more than because his mother wanted him to, because she’d spent time showing him pictures and telling him who Dino was. Karen would never truly understand how appreciative he was for that—how grateful he was in his heart that she cared enough to do that for both him and their son.

“Dino?” Karen asked.

“I’m not getting back to life—I’m handling business so I can have a life.”

So we can have a life, he corrected internally.

“What does that even mean?”

Dino reached out to cup Karen’s cheek in his palm, and she let him, never moving away from his touch or affection. It was important—a good sign for them, he thought.

“It means you’re important, that’s all.”

Karen didn’t ask for another explanation.

“He’s out.” Dino dropped down on the large leather sectional, exhaustion filling him to the brim. “Does he always fight to sleep like that?”

Karen didn’t look up from the magazine in her hands. “Never.”

“Ever?”

“Nope.”

Dino frowned. “So, it’s just me then?”

Karen smiled slightly, amusement lighting up her eyes. “I think it’s for you, not necessarily about you. New place, his new favorite person, and—”

“Hey, that’s not fair.”

She did look at him that time. “What?”

Without warning, Dino leaned over and circled Karen’s waist with his arms. Holding her in a tight embrace, he pulled her to his side, and with a little urging, she laid her head in his lap. He ran his fingers through the silky strands of her caramel-toned hair, soaking in her presence and life for a brief moment.

“I’m not his favorite person,” Dino said. “Pretty sure that’s always—will always—be you, huh?”

Karen laughed. “I said his new favorite, not that it was a bad thing.”

“I haven’t been around enough for him to really—”

“Doesn’t matter,” she interrupted softly. “You are now.”