Page 118 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

“Tonight?”

She puckers her lips and crosses her eyes at Sammy. He squeals with delight.

And me?

Fuck, I fall a little more.

Love.

That word echoes in my brain.

I’m falling in love with my fake wife.

It was the one rule I gave her—no falling in love.

I never expected to be the one to break it.

“Are you okay?”

The question snaps me back to reality, the sounds and smells of the food court coming back into focus.

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “I zoned out. What did you say?”

“I said tonight is probably as good as any.”

“For what?”

She tosses a pretzel nugget at me, but I catch it and pop it into my mouth. “To talk to my mom, you idiot.”

“Oh, right.” I rub the back of my head. “Yeah, we’ll call her tonight.”

“Good.” She stands and unlocks the wheels of the stroller. “Well, don’t just sit there,” she scolds when I stay seated. “We have to get Junior some more clothes. I didn’t get enough. Who knew a baby could poop through so many outfits in one day?”

“Right, clothes.”

That’s why we’re here, after all.

That and there was some designer purse Rosie wanted to look at.

I scoop up the trash and toss it. Then I fall into step beside her and peek over at my son.

Three of us.

A family.

My family.

I like the sound of that way too much.

28

ROSIE

I’m sweating.

Like literally sweating through my shirt.

I rip my hoodie over my head, thankful I’m wearing a tank top underneath.

---