“Yeah,” Luca said. “Thanks, Mom.”
I didn’t care about Carter’s compliment, but my son’s words nearly brought me to tears again. “You’re welcome.” It was such a regular day to an outside point of view, but for me, it was one of the greatest days of my life…and I would never forget it.
When it was bedtime, I read Luca a story. I used to do that when he was younger, but when I picked up a book and lay beside him in bed, he didn’t object to it. Sometimes I forgot so much time had passed and he might not be interested in that anymore, but he seemed to enjoy it.
I read for fifteen minutes and noticed Luca had closed his eyes. He was beside me with the dinosaur sheets pulled to his shoulders. He was used to sleeping alone, but I didn’t want to move from his side.
It was so nice to lie there, to listen to him breathe.
I stared at his cute face for a long time as I held the book against my chest. With thick eyelashes and soft cheeks, he was adorable and innocent. So small and helpless, he managed to survive a severe life change. He lost his mother and was put into the system, but that experience didn’t destroy his boyish curiosity.
Now that I had him back in my life, I loved him even more than I could have imagined. He was my whole world, my entire purpose for existence. I could never let anything happen to us ever again.
But I’d learned the hard way that I wasn’t strong enough to protect us both. No matter how hard I fought, I couldn’t escape. I couldn’t give my son the protection he needed. The second we left Carter’s home, we would be vulnerable all over again.
I never wanted that to happen.
Twenty
Carter
I didn’t spend any time with Mia over the next few days.
I made my own coffee and meals before I worked in my office. She was spending all of her time with her son, taking him swimming or playing with him in their bedrooms. She took him to the grocery store with her, along with everywhere else she went.
Every time I went to her bedroom at night, she was sleeping in his bed.
I never thought I would be jealous of an eight-year-old.
But I was jealous. Extremely.
I hadn’t seen her for more than a few minutes at any given time. But I knew I couldn’t be selfish right now. She’d missed three years with her son. Now all she wanted to do was get that time back, get to know him again.
I wouldn’t take that away from her.
Laundry piled up, the dishes weren’t done, and there wasn’t a hot meal on the table—but that was okay. When he went back to school, everything would return to normal. Besides, her son was a pretty cool kid. He was easygoing, easy to talk to, and he was excited about everything. He seemed to like me too. Anytime he saw me, he greeted me with a handshake.
It became a special routine we did.
I was in the kitchen making a sandwich when Mia walked inside, glowing brighter than the sun. Her eyes were full of happiness, and she smiled bigger than I’d ever seen her. Her joy was infectious, reaching every single corner of the room. “Hey.” She walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek.
It was the only affection I’d gotten for days. “You two are having fun?”
“So much fun. I took him shopping to get some school supplies. He wanted all dinosaur stuff. I’m so glad he’s still interested in that.”
“Dinosaurs are awesome. I’m still interested in them.”
She chuckled then looked down at the sandwich I was making. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been working like I was before—”
“I understand, sweetheart. I’m glad the two of you are spending time together.”
“It’s so amazing. Just the way it used to be…but better. I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done for both of us…” She grabbed my wrist and gave me a squeeze. Her affection immediately made me warm, her touch lighting a fire inside me. Nothing about it was sexual, but it made me want her so much. “He starts school tomorrow…and I’m trying to keep myself together.”
“What’s the problem? It’s a great school.”
“I know it is. I’ll just miss him all day. I’ll be able to get back to work, but I’ll be counting down the hours until I can pick him up again.”
“At least I’ll have you in my bed for a few hours of the day.”
She turned her gaze on me, smiling slightly. “I’ve been sleeping with Luca every night.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just—”
“You don’t need to explain anything, sweetheart. You just got him back. My turn will come again.” My hand moved into her hair, and I tucked her hair behind her ear as my eyes moved over her lips. “I just have to get used to sharing you…and I will.”