AllFreeNovel
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We sit in the parking lot of Willow’s school for only a second—it’s all she’ll allow us before she grabs her backpack and lunchbox and tries to unbuckle her booster seat with one hand.
Demyen hops out of the driver’s side to help her. She holds still for just long enough to get unbuckled, then he pulls her out, she bounces on her feet, they clasp hands, and it’s off to school they go.
Except they stop on the sidewalk, then turn and wait for me.
Can I do it? Can I make myself get out of the car?
Demyen doesn’t signal for me to stay or join them, but he’s also not telling Willow to just “come along, let’s go.” He just stands there, patiently waiting, while Willow waves for me to join them.
I can do this.
For her, I can do this.
I slowly slide out of the car. Willow celebrates with a “Yaayyy!” and bounces up and down in her new sneakers. She holds herhand out to me, and once again becomes the middle of our little family sandwich.
Oh, God…I just thought of us as afamily.
I steal a quick, worried glance up at Demyen. He just smiles at me and continues to hold her other hand as we walk to class together.
He doesn’t know my thoughts. I haven’t violated any of our unspoken boundaries. Good.
“Bye, Mommy!” Willow reaches up for me, so I crouch and give her a hug and a kiss at the classroom door. “Bye, Demmy!”
When she does the same for him, and he crouches down to give her a hug and kiss on her cheek, I don’t know if I’m overwhelmed with love, relief, or arousal.
Because let’s be honest: there is something insanely attractive about a gorgeous man who’s also a great father.
Demyen waves to the teacher in the classroom, who smiles and waves back—then looks at me with surprise and joy and waves even harder. I lift my hand, feeling a bit awkward, but then I remember what Demyen had mentioned about Willow’s progress in school. The staff knew about my disappearance and helped her work through the emotional trauma as much as they could.
“Do they…?” I don’t know how to ask what I’m not even sure I’m asking.
“Word is that you were the victim of an abduction,” Demyen quietly confirms as we turn to walk back toward the parking lot. As if it’s the most natural thing in the world, he reaches down and takes my hand in his. “Obviously, they don’t knowthe details, but we felt it was better to diffuse the gossip with a bit of truth so everyone would know to treat you with care. And respect.”
“Because the only other possibility is that I abandoned her.” It makes me sick to my stomach, but I can’t blame anyone for wondering.
“Don’t worry,” he reassures me with a gentle nudge. “Between the subtle gossip campaign and Willow’s not-as-subtle declarations about how you’re the best mommy in the whole wide world, your reputation is safe.”
That makes me smile. I can imagine Willow making poster signs all about it and shouting with all her little voice’s might that she has the best mommy in the universe.
I pray I can continue to be that for her.
“Hey,” Demyen says softly when we reach the car. His hand cups the side of my face. “You okay?”
I think about it. “Honestly? Yeah. I think I am.”
He furrows his brow with concern. “You’re sure? I know this has been a lot, and I don’t want to throw you into something you’re not comfortable with, but I?—”
My hand covers his and I lean into him a bit more. “Really, I’m fine. I’m just… I’m playing catch-up. It’s a lot to follow, but I’m doing it. And I’m so…” I glance around to make sure we’re truly alone for the moment. “I’m so fucking happy.”
Because I am. At least where Demyen and Willow’s relationship is concerned. I’m so fucking happy, and I’m so fuckingrelieved.
He smiles. “Good. Because I want to take you somewhere. Is that okay?”
I nod. I’m not going to say I’m leaping at the opportunity to be out in the open where anyone can just shoot at us, but I need to keep up this practice of baby stepping.
Sometimes, baby steps stumble into a run.
Demyen’s taken me to one of my favorite spots in all of Las Vegas: the outdoor botanical garden, complete with museums and pathways winding through eight beautiful acres of exotic plants.
