Page 63 of Moon's Promise

“Ouch, I bet that hurt.” Lana smiled laughingly.

Larissa shook her head. “That man is in seventh heaven. Crazy Bitch bathed the children, I dressed them for bed, and Calder was reading to them before bed. Then they put them in bed together. They’re so happy.”

“How’s the older one adjusting?”

The happy glow of witnessing the happy family dimmed. “She isn’t. Crazy Bitch is trying to form a relationship with her but isn’t making any headway. The more she tries to include Lennon, the more she retreats to her room or goes outside to sit until it’s dark.

“Eryn said Lennon always preferred being outside. I wonder if it’s because she prefers the outdoors or if the outside became her safe space from what was going on inside the home,” Larissa reflected out loud.

“That’s going to be a hard habit to break,” Priss said, standing to stretch. “Tell Crazy Bitch if I can do anything, just let me know. I better get to bed. I have an early appointment.”

“Good night,” Larissa told her.

“I better go, too. Do you need anything?”

“No, thanks. I think I’m just going to take a shower and get some sleep.”

Lana stood and moved to where she was sitting, bending over to give her a tight hug. “Congratulations. I always wanted to be an aunt.”

Larissa blinked away the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes. “Thank you. You’re going to make a wonderful aunt.”

“I’m giving you fair warning; I’m going to spoil her like crazy.”

“Could be a boy.” She laughed.

Lana clicked her tongue at her. “Bite your tongue. No boys are allowed in our girl club.” She gave her another comforting squeeze before she left to go into the bedroom.

Sitting quietly for several minutes, Larissa gained enough momentum to shower and change into pajamas.

She brushed her hair as she went into the living room, then came to a stop. Either Lana or Priscilla had gotten the bedding out the closet, opened the pull-out couch, and made the bed for her.

Placing a loving hand on her barely swollen belly, she smiled. Being pregnant was going to have its perks.

Larissa locked the car before she started walking toward her office building, then went inside as the elevator opened.

Recognizing Winter as she came out, Larissa wanted to rush past her as if she didn’t recognize her. Winter didn’t give her the option.

“Morning, Larissa. How are you doing?”

“Doing great. How are you?”

“Today’s Diamond’s first day back at work, so I wanted to stop by and drop off some doughnuts before I went to school.”

“That was nice of you. I haven’t met her yet. I’ll have to stop by and introduce myself.”

Winter looked troubled. “You might wait a couple of days. I think she’s only going to do a half-day.”

“I’ll wait, then.” She nodded. “I’ll look forward to meeting her. It’s good seeing you.” Hoping to bring the conversation to an end without mentioning the night they had last seen each other, Larissa started edging toward the front of her office.

“Larissa …” When Winter glanced around then embarrassedly cleared her throat, Larissa’s heart plummeted. “I …” Winter cleared her throat again. “Do you remember the night you came to the clubhouse?”

Larissa prayed she could keep her face expressionless. “I do. Did you get in trouble for the chairs being broken?”

“No, but …” Winter grimaced. “I hate to bring this up but … did you accidentally leave the bathroom and accidentally go into one of the men’s bedrooms?”

God, she wanted to lie so badly … but couldn’t.

“Perhaps we should talk in my office.”

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