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“Shit.”
Anger simmers. My heart breaks for him. He’s been through far too much already. That goddamn woman needs a slap.
I tiptoe over to the doorway, Paula grabs my hand, bringing me to an abrupt stop.
“Keller is in there with him. Max was asking for him, so I called him and he came straight here. He’s been with him since 5 am. Heart of gold, that one.”
I slowly nod in response, nerves filling my stomach.
I’m doing this for Max, not for Keller. Max needs me. My heart flutters in my chest. I can’t help my reaction to Keller, even if I try.
She releases my hand and I peer through the doorway. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight before me, tears welling in my eyes. It’s a little bedroom, complete with bunk beds on either side of the wall. Little Max sits on Kellers’s lap nestled tightly against him, muffling his sobs. His chest heaves up and down whilst Keller cuddles his small body with his muscular arms, his head resting on top of Max’s.
My feet are planted on the floor. I can’t move. My stomach erupts into butterflies. At this moment, the hatred I feel fizzles away. I forget what he did.
Keller’s eyes, filled with sadness, shoot to mine as he gives me a small smile, one I can’t help but return.
My legs move without thinking. I dart over to them and perch down on the bed next to them. Max’s tear-stained face peels from Keller’s chest to look at me.
“Max baby, are you okay?” I ask as I gently stroke his short blonde hair.
He quickly nods and throws his head back into Keller.
“Thank you,” I mouth to Keller, not wanting to interrupt their moment. He seems to have it under control.
I stand to leave and Keller’s hand shoots out to mine. Bolts of electricity pass through my fingers, lighting my whole body.
“Stay. Please.”
His eyes are pleading with me, so I sit back down. His powerful arm wraps around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. I settle into this familiar feeling and suddenly start to feel whole again as I place my arm around Max and close my eyes.
We sit quietly together with Max. As the little boy’s. heart-wrenching sobs continue to fill the room, all three of us cuddled together.
Almost like a family.
“Max darling, how about we go get some hot chocolates? We can get them with extra cream and marshmallows if you like. What do you say?”
Paula’s interruption yanks me back down to reality. Max’s sobbing subsides for a second as he looks to Keller for reassurance. Keller simply smiles and nods to him. Max peels himself from Kellers’s lap and pads over to Paula, not before turning to give us a bright smile, a naughty smile even, and then runs off towards the front door.
“I’ll see you both later. Sienna, this is our new office now, so meet you here Monday morning?”
“Sounds good to me, Paula.”
She gives us a quick wave and ushers Max out.
My attention now zeroes in on the warmth of Keller’s touch and I jolt away from him and jump to my feet. Hurt is clear on his face as he then bows his head.
“I have to go. Thank you for being there for Max. You’re great with him, Keller.”
“Can I show you something?”
His bloodshot eyes snap to mine. Despite looking as though he’s barely slept, he is still so sexy.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I don’t trust myself around him. I want to hate him, but I just can’t.
“Please.”
