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“Yeah.” His gaze drops to my mouth one last time before he lets me go. The only thing making me feel a little better is he looks just as disappointed as I feel.
“Hey.” I walk farther into the room, where Emma is standing at the bottom of the slide, and she looks back over her shoulder at me. “The pizza’s here.”
“Thank god, I’m starving.” She grins before calling up toward the tree house. “Guys, I’m calling a truce since it’s dinnertime. You can come out of hiding.”
“Are you wying?” Kingston asks, and Winter giggles.
“I’d never lie,” she tells him, and he peeks out through the railing at the top of the tree house. After looking her over and confirming she’s telling the truth, both he and Winter slip down the slide one after the other.
“Mom, I want to stay here forever,” Kingston says, running to Emma for her to pick him up as Winter skips to her dad.
“It’s so cool, right?” I ask, and he nods, wrapping his arms around Emma’s neck and kissing her cheek. I catch Emma’s eyes starting to water before she ducks her head.
This afternoon when Tucker asked if we wanted to have dinner at his place with Miles and Winter, I wasn’t sure about taking him up on his offer. Not because I didn’t want to spend time with him or take Kingston to his house—I just couldn’t stand the idea of leaving Emma behind at my place alone.
This situation with Eli has been hard on her, and although today has been better, I could see the turmoil in her eyes every time she watched Kingston and I interact. I think it’s been difficult for her to see firsthand the kinds of things she’d be missing out on if she were to place Eli’s happiness above her own. But I also think it’s a good thing because I know if she gives in to Eli right now that her happiness will only be temporary. And I want her to have everything she want’s in life.
Sure, she might be okay for a while, but I don’t want her to end up resenting Eli and hating herself for not fighting for what she wants or finding it with someone else. And again I don’t think it would be fair to Eli to force him into parenthood. So that’s why when Tucker told me that of course Emma was invited as well, I told her that we were having dinner at his place, not even giving her the option to stay home.
“Emma, can I show you my dolls?” Winter asks when we get into the elevator, and Emma looks down at her with a smile on her pretty face while Miles watches the two of them interact.
“I’d love to see them, but first, we have to eat. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
“You can’t eat a horse.” Kingston scrunches up his face.
“You’re right. I can’t eat a horse. Horses are too big.” She grins, then lifts him higher in her arms. “But I might be able to eat a little boy.” She nibbles his neck, and he giggles as the doors to the elevator open up. When we step out, I freeze in place, causing Emma to bump into me.
Because Naomie is standing at the end of the hall, in front of Tucker’s door.
“I thought Clay changed the code for the elevator,” Miles mutters as Tucker steps in front of Emma, Winter, Kingston, and me.
“What are you doing here?” Tucker asks, and Naomie takes us all in before her face falls.
“We need to talk.”
“About what?” Tucker asks, sounding like I’ve never heard him sound before.
“I’m pregnant.” My stomach drops at the confession, and I hear Miles curse under his breath.
“That’s not my problem, Naomie,” Tucker says, reaching back for me, and I don’t hesitate to place my hand in his.
“That’s Naomie?” Emma whispers, and I nod.
“It might be yours,” Naomie adds, and Tucker’s fingers around mine tighten like he’s afraid I might bolt. But that is honestly the furthest thought from my mind right now.
“Is this chick for real?” Emma asks loudly, and I press my lips together but hear Miles chuckle.
“We need to talk,” Naomie repeats, taking a tentative step toward Tucker as she keeps her eyes locked on him.
“We haven’t been together in months, Naomie,” Tucker bites out.
“Jesus, this is not happening.” Emma passes me Kingston, and he latches onto me, tucking his face into my neck. I start to tell her it’s okay and to leave it be, but she walks forward, getting in Naomie’s space before I can even get my mouth open. “Since there are children here, I’m going to be nice. But I’m letting you know right now that if you don’t find yourself on the elevator, you and I are going to find ourselves in handcuffs.”
