Page 283 of The Bonus

I look up to see the twins bolting toward me, so excited to see me that they jump into my arms. I pick them both up and their little hands wrap around my neck.

Oh…

I get a lump in my throat.

I glance over and see Mark and the boys have the biggest smiles too.

And then I see her, my love.

Standing by the elevator, how long has she been waiting down here with them to give me that surprise welcome home?

With the twins in my arms, I walk toward her and kiss her softly, my lips lingering over hers. “You’re going to get it,” I whisper.

She giggles as she hits the elevator button.

“What’s she going to get?” Lucia asks. “Can we all have one?”

“No,” I mutter. “This is for Mom only.”

Suddenly, I know exactly the date that I want to take Gracie on… I’m taking her to my favorite place on earth and I’m going to be myself.

We get into the elevator. As we ride to the top, I hitch the kids up as they begin to slip off my hips. “I have a surprise for you.”

Grace raises an eyebrow, thinking she knows what it is.

“Debbie is coming to New York for the weekend to stay with you guys while Mom and I go away for grown-up time.”

“She is?” they gasp, excited.

“Yes, she and Mark are going to stay with you. It’s going to be so fun.” My eyes find Gracie’s. “How does that sound?”

She smiles softly. “That sounds perfect.”

I walk down the sidewalk with Mark, I have a suit fitting a couple of blocks away and it’s quicker to walk.

“So…Debbie,” Mark says.

I give him the side eye. “What about her?”

Mark and Debbie seem to have become familiar with each other through us, and I wish I could say I haven’t been suspicious, but I have.

“What’s her husband like?” he asks.

“I don’t really know him, seems a bit boring if you ask me.”

He nods as he listens, and I get the feeling he has something to say.

“Why do you ask?”

He shrugs as he acts casual. “She’s just?—”

“What?” I cut him off.

“Nice.”

“What do you mean, nice?”

He shrugs.

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