Page 75 of When Love And Destiny Collide

"The tooth fairy can visit him the next time he spends the night with me."

Refusing to argue, I nod. "Fine, but don't forget."

***

Dinner with Mateo, Loren, and Aaron is going far better than I anticipated. The menu is grilled salmon drizzled with a rich bourbon sauce, vegetables, rice pilaf, and a crisp salad. But what truly captivates me is watching Lily interact with them and the kids—she’s effortlessly charming, drawing everyone in with her warmth and laughter, and I can’t take my eyes off her.

"Do you guys remember the day I called from a stranger's phone because I got lost?" Lily laughs, nudging Aaron as she starts to tell the story. She turns to me with a grin. "It was my first time in Cold Spring, and somehow I managed to get completely lost."

Aaron bursts out laughing. "Cold Spring has one main street! It's literally called Main Street, so I still don’t know how you pulled that off."

Lily shakes her head, trying not to laugh. "I’d met Loren for dinner one night before heading back to Boston. After we ate, we sat in her car chatting because it was freezing cold. I didn’t realize I’d left my phone in the car until she drove off."

"Classic," Aaron chuckles.

"It gets worse!" Lily says, eyes wide with mock horror. "It was late, it was drizzling, and I spotted what I thought was her car.So, obviously, I started following it. I'm thinking, ‘Where the heck is she going at this time of night?’ At some point, the car gets on the highway, and I’m still trailing it, totally convinced it’s Loren. Then... I lose her."

"No way!" I laugh. "You seriously followed her onto the highway?"

"Yeah! So I pull into this random gas station with no phone to call her. I had to borrow a stranger’s phone—total damsel in distress moment," Lily says, laughing. "I call her, and—"

Loren cuts in with a chuckle, "I pick up, and Lily's like, 'Where are you going?' And I’m just like, 'What do you mean, where am I going? I’m home. Where are you?'"

"I’d been following the wrong car the whole time!" Lily laughs, and I smile realizing I get to hear that sound for the rest of my life.

"Are you kidding me?" I say, still laughing. "How do you get lost in Cold Spring?"

"Exactly!" Aaron exclaims.

Lily giggles, her cheeks flushed. "Don’t judge me! It was a stressful night!"

"Hay, Mija," Mateo chimes in, shaking his head with a grin. "Your mama was the same way. She lived in the same neighborhood her whole life and still asked me if she was going the right way."

"Is everyone ready for dessert?" Loren asks, starting to push herself up from her seat.

"Let me," Aaron says quickly, gently helping her sit back down.

"I can help," I offer, already eyeing the chocolate cake on the counter that’s making my mouth water.

"Ice cream or whipped cream?" Aaron asks, glancing around the table.

"Whipped cream," Lily and I say at the same time, while everyone else, including Davey, chooses ice cream. When our eyes meet, a quiet exchange of love passes between us, and we share a smile. I turn back to cutting the cake, warmth spreading in my chest. When I hand her a piece of cake covered in whipped cream, our fingers touch for just a brief moment, but it’s enough to make my heart race. The warmth of her skin lingers, and I wish I could pull her close and kiss her right here, right now.

But the doorbell rings, ending the moment. Everyone exchanges glances, wondering who it could be.

"Are we expecting someone?" Loren asks, turning to Aaron.

Aaron shrugs. "Not that I know of."

With their open-concept floor plan, we all have a clear view of the door as Aaron walks over to answer it.

"Aaron!" Marian’s voice is bright and overly cheerful—though to me, it sounds worse than nails on a chalkboard. I glance quickly at Lily, and she gives me a reassuring smile, letting me know it's okay.

"Mommy!" Davey's little voice cuts through the tension, his joy the only bright spot in the room as he rushes to greet her.

I follow Davey to the door and guide him and Marian out onto the front porch, shutting the door firmly behind us.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm.

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