Page 80 of The Companion Love Trap

“Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I’m sure we can manage and order whatever they don’t have.”

“Of course. You have my number if you have any questions. Thank you again for taking them on such short notice.”

“We’re honored to open our home,” Cruz said.

Mrs. Winters glanced at the four of us, her smile soft as she took us all in. “I’m sure you’ll get along great. These two are lucky to have met you.”

Kieran stood stock still, his gaze on the twins. I squeezed his hand, and he startled out of the frozen state. “We’re the lucky ones,” he said.

Mrs. Winters smiled bigger, giving him a nod. “I better be off. Call me if you need anything. Be good, Zoe and Zachary.”

“Bye, Mrs. Winters!” Zoe sang, waving. Zachary watched her walk to her car but didn’t make any outward gestures based on what he was thinking.

Once her car had disappeared down the drive, I asked, “Do you want to see your rooms?”

“We’re not together?” Zoe asked.

“Uh?” I glanced at Kier and Everly.

“Do you want to stay together?” Everly asked.

Zachary took his sister’s hand, and Zoe answered for them both, “Yes.”

“We can make that happen,” Cruz said, opening the door.

Buns ran up to us, jumping at the kids’ feet. Zachary’s face morphed into a smile, and he dropped down to the happy dog, letting Buns lick his face.

“Buns!” Zoe cheered and crouched down to get her own dog kisses.

“I should be offended. Buns got a warmer greeting than me, but she’s so cute that I can’t blame her,” I teased. Everly hip-bumped me, giving me a bright smile.

When Everly learned that two of her students were in foster care and being separated, it was an easy decision for us to make. Kieran had wanted to do something with foster placement for years but didn’t know what. With the support of all of us, we knew we could provide kids with a safe place to land. Everly wasn’t sure if she wanted to have kids, but being a surrogate mother for those who needed one was right up her alley.

We’d applied for our foster license the next day, completed the house inspection, and did all the necessary background checks. It had only taken a few weeks, and I wasn’t positive, but I expected Cruz had greased a few wheels to speed up the process.

And now the twins were here, our first fosters.

It was a massive step for our relationship, but it felt right. Next week would be one year since we went on the cruise, and we were taking another one to celebrate. At least this one would be without stuffy board members and potential investors.

Cruz, Kier, and I had a surprise for Everly, too. We would have a commitment ceremony on the beach, cementing our love. With Buns and now the twins, we’d created the kind of family I’d dreamed of as a lonely kid.

It was fucking perfect—chaos and all.

The next few hours were spent helping the twins become comfortable in the house. We’d moved the beds into the same room and unpacked their suitcases. They both stared at everything we’d bought for them, their eyes wide and perhaps a little overwhelmed. Maybe we’d gone a little overboard, but it was hard not to when we had so much and wanted to share that with them.

“How about we have lunch, and then Kier and I can show you the music room?” Everly asked.

“That’s a great idea, Meu tudo. What would you like to eat?” Cruz asked.

Zoe hesitated, her usual confidence evaporating. “We get a choice?”

These two were going to break my heart. I already knew it would be impossible to let them go if their mother ever got her act together, but I couldn’t focus on that. They needed safe and stable adults in their lives. So we’d be that.

“Absolutely. We have stuff to make sandwiches, mac & cheese, pizza… Does any of that sound good?” I asked, clapping my hands.

“Pizza!” they shouted together, smiling.

“All right, tiny chefs. Let’s make pizza.”

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