Page 49 of The Star in Room 7

“I’m glad.” He splashes me with water.

“Hey! What was that for?”

“It made you smile.”

I splash him in return. “And I made you laugh.”

He captures my lips again, kissing me greedily. Afterwards, he presses kisses down my throat and runs his hand over my thigh. “We should get out and have some food.”

“We should,” I agree half-heartedly.

“Cooking together will be fun.”

My heart swells, and my smile turns into a grin. “Yeah, it will be. I’m looking forward to it, Daddy.”

14

NATE

Over the next few days, we fall into a pattern. I work during the day. I have potential new agents to interview, existing agents to give training updates to, and some potential new clients to meet to discuss their protection requirements. Afterwards, I pick Zach up, and we go to my apartment. Some evenings we play. At the moment, he seems content to explore sensory play further, going beyond the light, tickling touch of feathers to experiment with wands and rollers. We always cook together, the conversation light and playful while we do. Then he falls asleep in my arms. In the morning, we wait until the pre-work joggers have gone, then go for a run together. I then drive him back to Halo House so I can go into work.

When he’s with me, Zach seems more relaxed and happier every day. While I’m glad he feels safe with me, my ultimate goal is for him to feel confident enough to leave Halo House and return to his life. He might claim he’s unsure if he wants that life anymore, but I can’t miss the way his eyes light up whenever we talk about movies. Not even his movie, just movies in general. He wants to be a star, and I’ll do everything I can to help him fulfil that dream.

We’ve just finished dinner, and Zach is flicking through the streaming channels to find us a movie to watch.

I sit on the sofa and pat my lap. “Come here, sweet boy.”

Obediently, Zach puts the remote on the coffee table and sits on my lap, his arms around my neck.

“Do you remember when we were talking about therapy the other day?”

He stiffens. “I remember I told you I can’t afford it.”

“Well… One of my clients is married to a therapist. If you’re open to it, he’s willing to work with you. No fee.”

Zach narrows his eyes. “How?”

“Let me worry about that.”

“Where?”

“Either I could take you to his office, or he’s willing to come here.”

Zach picks at something on my shoulder. I’m guessing a piece of lint or something imaginary. “That seems too good to be true, Daddy. There must be money involved.”

“No money. But I have offered my client a discount on her security while her husband is working with you. Don’t worry, I haven’t mentioned your name, and her husband will be bound by client-patient confidentiality.”

“A discount?” he whispers. “Daddy, I…”

I silence him with a kiss. “I’m here to look after you, baby. But there are some things I can’t do. You can talk to me, obviously- never stop doing that. But I’m not a professional. Still, it’s up to you. Seeing a therapist won’t do any good if you’re not open to it.”

“I need to, don’t I?”

“I think it would help.” I tuck his hair behind his ear.

“Okay. I’ll give it a try. Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, sweet boy. Did you find a movie to watch?”