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He nods and sniffles.
“It’s been so wonderful getting to know you, Theo. You’re an amazing boy.” Violet draws him into another hug and she squeezes her eyes closed, tears running down her cheeks.
I swallow past a painful lump in my throat and my bottom lip quivers as I try to keep everything I’m feeling inside.
Violet backs away and wipes her tears as she stands.
Hannah approaches her. “Thanks again, Violet. Brady and Theo both said how amazing you were with him. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to step into my role while I was away.”
Violet gives her a small smile. “It was my pleasure.”
“And I meant what I said about your contract. Don’t worry about the money. We’ll be sure you get all you’re owed.”
Violet waves her off. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll call the agency first thing in the morning, and I’m sure they can find something for me fairly quickly. Just enjoy your time with Theo now that you’re home.”
Hannah pulls Violet into a hug, then everyone turns their attention to me.
My fists clench at my sides. “Thanks again.” I raise one hand in a lame wave.
“No problem.” Violet turns and reaches for her suitcase.
“I’ll miss you,” Theo calls as she leaves the room.
She stops and looks over her shoulder. “I’ll miss youtoo.”
The way she says too makes me think she actually meant T-W-O, but I push that thought away and turn toward Hannah and Theo. “You staying for dinner? I should probably figure something out.” Anything to get the hell out of this room.
“Sure, if you don’t mind,” she says.
“Nope. I’m not sure if Violet already had something planned and has it out, but I’ll go take a look.” Without waiting for Hannah to respond, I head to the kitchen, pretending that the past couple of hours didn’t just happen.
I insist on cleaning up after dinner just so I can be by myself under the guise of letting Hannah help Theo pack up anything he wants to take to her place for the night. She asked me if I minded and of course I don’t. She’s been gone a while.
I’m coming out of the pantry when the two of them appear in the kitchen, Theo with his little overnight backpack on. It seems so long since he’s been gone for a night.
“Daddy, are you looking for something again?” Theo asks, head tilted.
“Just putting away something I used for dinner.” I manage a smile.
Theo looks up at Hannah. “Daddy and Violet were always in there.” He says it so innocently, as if he didn’t just drop a bomb.
Hannah turns and looks at me. “Is that so?”
“Yep! Can we go now?” Theo jumps in place.
Hannah sets her hand on his head. “Why don’t you go get your shoes on and I’ll meet you at the front door? See if you can find your sandals too because we can go to the splash pad you like tomorrow.”
“Yay!” Theo rushes off, hands in the air.
Hannah turns her attention back to me, eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe you.”
“What?” I feign innocence, walk back to the island, and pick up the cloth to wipe the counters.
“You slept with her. You slept with Violet,” she says through clenched teeth.
I drop the washcloth in the sink and lean both hands on the counter. “You wouldn’t get it.”
“What wouldn’t I get? That she’s an attractive woman who’s been living under your roof andworksfor you?”
