Page 32 of Forever Mine

“I promise, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, hugging Lily good night. It dawned on me how different and natural personal contact was with them. It didn’t make me panic or even feel uncomfortable. It felt right, and that was wrong. I already knew it was going to hurt like hell when we said goodbye forever at the end of the week. I had tried earlier to do just that with Liam, but now with Lily in the mix, life just got all the more complicated.

“Hey, Lil?” I needed her to understand and promise me something. “Swear you won’t tell anyone you saw me?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I promise.”

Liam insisted on walking me back to my room. When I tried to protest in the hallway that it wasn’t necessary, he told me that Elise had been kidnapped in a hotel the previous year and with all I’d gone through already, his wolf was feeling particularly protective and asked me to just humor him. I did, but was thankful he didn’t draw out some awkward good night or try to kiss me at the door.

“Just come by or call in the morning. My number’s in your phone,” he said as he turned to leave, motioning me to close the door first.

I wondered when he had put his number in my phone, then remembered he had taken it when it had died. I supposed he must have done it sometime while it charged and I talked with Lily.

I quickly went to the bathroom, changing into pajamas, washing up, and brushing my teeth before sneaking into bed next to my son. Oscar’s little body seemed to relax, even in sleep, and he snuggled up against me. I held him close and kissed the top of his head, inhaling the sweet scent of his shampoo.

I wanted to reflect on the events of the day that felt more like a second lifetime, or in my case, I guess, a third. I smiled at the thought. As I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, I dreamed of a third lifetime, with Liam.

All too soon, a wiggling little boy woke me. “Mommy, you’re here! I’m sorry I fell asleep before you could say good night. I was really tired.”

“It is fine, my sweet boy. Did you have a good time with Mimi and Papi?”

“Yes, it was great! I got to swim in the pool till bedtime.”

“Wow, that sounds like great fun,” I said.

“Did you have a good time with Liam?”

I tried not to think about the fort and all that had been said between us. Oscar was far too intuitive for a kid his age. I instead told him happy things. “I did, and guess what? His sister Lily showed up and surprised us.”

“You best friend when you were my age?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Now where’re Mimi and Papi?

“They went down for breakfast and then were heading to the conference. They said to tell you it runs till seven tonight, and they’d call to see if we had eaten yet or not. So, it’s just me and you today, Mommy!”

I felt guilty for the next words out of my mouth. “Actually, I was thinking. How would you like to spend part of the day with Liam so I can catch up with Lily?”

“Really?” he asked skeptically. “You don’t ever let me go anywhere with anyone except Mimi and Papi.”

It was true. I was fiercely protective of him. I may not have been the best mom and done everything right, and he may have had to deal with my issues more than I’d wish on any kid of his age, but I loved him with everything I had in me.

“I know, Mommy loves you so much that I hate sharing you with anyone, but if you’d like to hang out with Liam today, I would really love to catch up with my friend.”

“Can I meet her?”

“Absolutely. She can’t wait to meet you.”

“Could we get breakfast first? I’m starving. Maybe they’d want to join us?” he suggested.

“I dunno, bud. We were up pretty late last night, maybe we should let them sleep.”

“But Mom, you’re up. Maybe they will be, too. Can we check at least?”

“Okay, okay.” How could I possibly say no to his sweet, hopeful face?

I dialed Liam’s number and he picked up after the first ring. “Hello.” His voice was deep and sexy with a hint of sleep to it. My body responded to it almost painfully in places I wasn’t sure functioned properly.

“Um, good morning,” I said in a breathy voice I barely recognized. “I’m sorry I woke you. Oscar demanded we see if you guys were up and interested in breakfast with us downstairs.”

“Lil’s probably dead to the world, but give me ten minutes and I’ll head down.”

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