Page 97 of Designs on You

“Daddy and Cammie and me went to breakfast, and then we went to see a movie, and then we went to Gramma and Grandpa’s house. Now we’re gonna go swimming.”

“Wow. That sounds so fun. You’ve been busy.”

“Uh-huh. And we played Uno with Gramma and Grandpa last night and then we had pie that Gramma made and Cammie and me stayed up late watching movies with Dad.”

Her heart did a small leap at the thought of Sean spending quality time with his kids. “You did? That’s great, Christopher.”

She heard Camryn in the background, and then she and Christopher argued over the phone. Sean said it was Camryn’s turn.

“I gotta go, Momma,” Christopher said. “When you coming home?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I love you, sweet boy.”

“Love you, Momma. Bye.”

Then she talked to Cammie, who filled her in on every single detail of their time with Sean, even though she’d already heard most of it before. But that was fine. While she was talking to Cammie, Eugene had come back and grinned as he listened in. When she finished, she told Cammie she loved her, and then spoke briefly again with Sean, thanking him for calling her so she could talk to the kids.

She hung up, sighed, and laid the phone down.

“Everything okay?” Eugene asked.

“Yes. Sean called and said that Christopher wanted to talk to me. Nothing urgent. He misses me.”

“Aww. Of course he does. He’s your baby.”

She smiled. “Yes. And growing up way too quickly. They’relittle for such a short period of time and then, poof, suddenly they’re growing up and all independent. I just miss that baby stage.”

“Do you want more kids?”

“Oh God no. I might miss them being babies, but the thought of going through all that again? The diapers, the crying, the sleepless nights? No, thanks.”

“Huh. I’m gonna grab a drink. You want something?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

He left and Natalie wondered if what she’d said had upset him in some way. But how could it? They weren’t a couple, definitely not permanent. Besides, she was almost thirty-five and more than ready to be done having kids. Eugene, on the other hand, could make babies for…well, for a long time to come.

The thought of him having beautiful children with some other woman made her ache all over. Then she was irritated because why would she even care? His life was his, and once he was done with this project he’d be off to another one. Sure, they were having a good time right now, but that didn’t mean they were in love or anything.

You sure about that, girl?

She shook off thoughts of falling in love. It wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever. She liked her life the way it was, focusing on her job and her kids. On herself.

Shouldn’t she be allowed to put herself first for a change?

Eugene returned and plopped down on the chaise, flipped his sunglasses over his face, and sipped his drink while he looked out over the water. Natalie watched him, trying to find the words thatshe wanted to say, but unable to say them. Or maybe afraid to say them because their time together had been so idyllic, and if what she said destroyed this paradise they’d been living in, she’d be heartbroken.

But not knowing was killing her, so she had to know.

“Do you want kids?” she asked.

He shifted his gaze to her. “What?”

“You asked me if I wanted more kids, and my answer was pretty definite. Do you want kids, Eugene?”

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