Page 46 of Secret Baby for the Bad Boy

“Can I go play again?” Win asks, his tone wistful. His plate is clean and us adults glance at one another. Lara nods and my mom smiles at me.

“Of course, you can,” Mom says.

He’s quick to take off and the joy in the air is unmistakable. There’s nothing like a child and grandchild to bring people together.

Plates clink softly as we clear the last remnants of dinner. Mom's hands are quick, efficient, but she pauses, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes as Win rushes back in, offering to help.

My mom nods. “If you help,” she says, “then we’ll have to build a fortress. What do you think of that?”

He nods, his eyes wide and excited as he learns how to stack dishes in the dishwasher.

But I take the dishes from them. “He helped. Time for you guys to go build a fortress,” I say, and my mom gives me a smile, her hands on her hips. But Win is already dashing toward the living room, excited.

“I’ve got this, Ma,” I say, washing dishes as Lara takes the spot by my side. Mom leaves the room and Lara and I clean up, shoulder to shoulder, a sense of comradery and comfort filling the space between us.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I ask, not meaning the dishes.

She glances up at me, startled. “I mean, it’ll be hard, but I’m okay.”

I can’t imagine the emotions she’s feeling. “Well, I’m here if you need to talk, or need company.” And before she can give me that look, I hold up a hand. “As friends, nothing more.” Of course, I want it to be more so very badly, but small steps. I need to take small steps.

Once the dishes are washed and the dishwasher is humming along, we step out into the living room, where hundreds of pillows transform the space into a fortress. I see Win peek out. “Who dares go there?” he asks in his best grown-up voice.

“Your parents, oh great king,” Lara says, laughter in her tone.

“Oh!” Win says, suddenly himself. “Is it time?”

I look at Lara and she nods, her throat flexing as she swallows hard. When he comes out, Lara kneels beside him, her voice soft but firm. “You've got my number, sweetie. Any time you want, just call and I'll be here.”

His gaze locks onto hers, so sincere it breaks my heart a little. “I’ll be fine, Mommy.” His voice is steady, braver than his years.

Lara’s smile looks more like she’s about to cry. “Promise?”

He nods, strong for the both of them. “Promise.”

Lara rises, looking to me, and I smile.

“Go on, then.” I nudge him gently toward the fortress. “Show Grandma how it's done.”

With a nod, he hurries back into the fortress. And I hang back, leaning against the doorframe, watching them. Pillows and blankets fly through the air. Mom laughs, a sound I haven't heard in ages, her movements animated as she helps him.

Mom catches my eye as she straightens up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “He's quite the architect,” she says, pride filling her tone.

“Yeah, he gets that from—” My words trail off, the bittersweet edge of memory filling my mind. From his grandfather. Dad would be so proud looking down on us now, I know it. I’m not sure how I know it, but I do.

Lara’s hand takes mine. “Let’s go,” she says softly, and walking out the front door feels like starting the rest of our lives together. And I can’t wait.

Chapter Nineteen

Lara

I know we shouldn’t be doing this, I shouldn’t be here, but one thing led to another…

And now I’m on Lark’s yacht. Alone with him. The deck beneath my feet sways gently to the rhythm of the waves. Salt air fills my lungs, the sun shine warms my skin, and the breeze feels like heaven. It's just the ocean, the sky, me, and Lark.

“It’s a perfect day for sailing,” Lark says, his voice breaking through the sound of seagulls.

“I couldn't agree more.” I smile in his general direction, squinting against the glare off the water. As far as I can see, shades of blue and sparkling white stretch on to the horizon.

---