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I glance at Marion, raising an eyebrow. “Well, it’s okay with me if Winston’s mom agrees.”
“We plan to visit the chocolate factory tomorrow,” Marion explains excitedly. “It’s in the next town over, so it’s just a short drive. I’ll need to get permission first though.”
“Permission?” I inquire, studying Marion. Her dark eyes seem to twinkle at me, hinting at hidden secrets.
“Oh, yes,” she replies. “Here, let me have your phone number, and I’ll text you first thing. We’d love to have Milo join us.”
A sliver of fear creeps into this joyful moment, tainting my happiness. I don’t know Marion. I don’t know Winston. A thousand what-ifs race through my mind.
What if she kidnaps Milo?
What if she calls CPS and reports me?
What if, what if, what if?
Marion must see my panic on my face, because she reaches out and gently touches my shoulder. “Don’t worry if tomorrow isn’t a good day. We can plan a time for all of us to go.”
“Lottie,” Milo whines and stomps his foot.
“No, no. It’s okay. I think this will be great for Milo.” I force the words out because he is my responsibility, and maybe it’s selfish of me to think I should be the one giving him happiness, not another woman, but my thoughts aren’t logical, even if the way they make me feel is valid. “I think it would be great for him.”
“Thank you so much, Lottie!” Milo hugs me once before he and Winston rush up the porch to say their goodbyes.
“It was hard for me the first time I let Winston go somewhere without me,” Marion says, calling me out on my bullshit in a soothing and comforting way. I can’t quite help but feel as though she is speaking to me like the scared animal I am. “Trust me when I say he is in good hands. My husband, Trevor, works for Desmond.”
My mouth drops as I look at this woman, and I swallow.
I read between the lines.
Trevor won’t allow anything to happen to the boys because he won’t hesitate to kill someone who tries to hurt them.
I shouldn’t take comfort from that fact, yet I do, and that unexpected thought wars with my emotions. All the emotions I’d been holding back choose this moment to try and break through my carefully constructed walls.
It’s just a chip, but a chip nonetheless.
I can’t speak. All I can do is swallow and nod, conveying that I get it—I know what she’s telling me without outright saying so.
“Perfect. As long as Desmond approves, we will pick Milo up at nine.” She pats my arm again before turning to her son. “Winston, it’s time to go.”
“Ah, Ma,” the little boy whines before saying bye to Milo and stomping down the steps.
I smile at them, walk to our porch, and unlock the door. Milo bounces around, excitement bubbling out of him.
“How much candy can I have?” Milo bursts through the door, rushing inside to scoop up the kitten.
“I think he’s had plenty of candy.” Special Agent Matthew Hayes startles me as he steps onto the porch beside me. My hand remains on the door, ready to enter the house, as I turn to look at him. He’s dressed in the same shorts as the other day and a different blue button-down shirt. He still looks slightly disheveled, but there’s a playful air about him.
“Planning on inviting me in, sweetheart?” he asks, his playful endearment sending an odd swirl of excitement to the pit of my stomach.
Almost instinctively, I hold the door open for him, although it’s more of a knee-jerk reaction than anything else. As the screen door creaks open and I peer through the house and into the mudroom, my heart sinks into my gut.
Lyric is in this house, and I just invited Hayes inside.
Panic makes my stomach flutter, and my mouth falls open. I stand frozen on the threshold of my home, letting in the cold air. With a groan, I finally step inside and shut the door swiftly. My eyes scan the first floor, searching for any sign of Lyric. Hopefully, I won’t find him, or perhaps, even better, he never showed up.
Unlikely.
“Lottie!” Milo yells from the kitchen. “I got four peanut butter cups!”
