Page 79 of Tell Me Lies

At the wordride, Clyde is up and by the door before I can even give it another thought.

Huffing out a breath, I give Logan athanks for making me the bad guylook before shaking my head. “All right, fine. Let’s go.”

I lean into Logan, driving my finger into his chest. “But if he pisses on anything he isn’t supposed to or humps anything or anyone … this is your fault, and I’ll say he’s your dog.”

“Deal.” He presses a peck to my lips. “Love you.”

“I love you. Even though you are an absolute baby.”

“Only when it comes to my girls.” He winks, giving me a grin. “And I’m not afraid to say that when it comes to you two, I’m a little bitch.”

Suddenly, every bit of annoyance that I had inside me melts away. Because when Logan Sterns winks or gives you that grin … good luck staying mad.

“Daddy! Put a quarter in my jar! You saidbitch!” Amelia scolds him, scowling with her eyebrows, and Logan and I look at each other, trying not to laugh.

A few days ago, I typedthe endon my book, and I sent it to my editor, who I know is going to help me make it perfect. Holly promises me that it’s my best work and that my readers are going to love it, and yet I find myself incredibly nervous about it making its way into the world. Something about having so much of Logan, Amelia, and me in it makes it sacred. I’m terrified that someone will pick apart the characters. The main female character, fine. She’s a bit annoying and way too organized. She also worries about issues far before they are even real. But the other two—the guy and his daughter? I’ll accept zero criticism on them. Simple as that.

I follow Amelia, Logan, and Clyde out the door. We’re all decked out in our Halloween costumes, and I just can’t get over that this is my life. I can take a breath, and it doesn’t hurt. I get out of bed in the morning with a smile on my face. It no longer feels like everything is hopeless.

I still have trying days and moments where the past likes to creep up, but I refuse to let it pull me back. Instead, I keep moving forward.

And it’s all because of them. Because with them, I am who I want to be again.

Six Months Later

“Shh,” I whisper against Amelia’s hair. “My God, Clyde, your breath smells like as—butt.” I catch myself before I owe my kid another quarter.

She cranes her neck, giving me an adorable look of warning as Clyde continues to pant in my face, making me want to puke.

“She’s walking inside!” Maci’s mom, Melinda, says from the window before hurrying around to duck behind the counter.

It’s been six months since we officially became a couple. In those six months, she let her apartment go and completely moved in with us. And life couldn’t be better. But today, her book came out. And even though I pretended like it was just a normal day when we got up, I’ve had a surprise book-release party planned for her for weeks.

Seconds after the doorknob turns, she pushes the door open, and we all jump up, probably scaring her half to death based on the look on her face.

She looks around the room, and once she finally realizes we’re not killers or anything, her eyes grow wide, and she grins, covering her mouth with her hand. “You guys, really?”

Her sister rushes toward her, throwing her arms around her. “I’m so proud of you, sis.”

Melinda joins in, wrapping her arms around both of them.

“Dad is looking down, so proud.” Melinda kisses the top of Maci’s head. “Love you so much, my girl.”

Amelia is next to bolt toward her, wiggling her way through the three women as they release each other.

“Congratulations, Mommy.” Amelia says the words but quickly covers her mouth, and her cheeks go red.

I move closer to the two, watching Maci’s eyes fill with tears. We’ve never once told Amelia to call Maci Mom. I guess because we assumed she’d do it if and when the time felt right to her. After all, she’s only four years old, and I’d never want her to feel pressured to do anything.

I stand a few feet back, letting whatever is about to happen play out as Maci picks her up and holds her in her arms.

“Can I call you that?” Amelia says so softly that I barely hear her.

She nods, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I would love nothing more.”

Taking the few short steps to them, I wrap my arms around them both and put my mouth closer to her ear. “I’m proud of you, Boston. So proud that I think I need to make an announcement.”

She rears her head back, her green eyes staring up at me, and then she gently sets Amelia down. “Oh, dear Lord, what are you about to do? You know I hate being the center of attention.”

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