Page 78 of Knight Life In Vegas

“Yes it did. A quiet rental with an office space is exactly what you needed professionally. But I’m glad you chose to stay with her instead.”

My cheeks warmed. “It’s temporary.”

Ollie’s grip on me tightened, but when I looked down at him, he was still deep in sleep.

“What does your son think?”

“I haven’t been to see him.”

“Sir, what, and with all due respect, the fuck? I thought half the reason you were going was so you could work on your relationship with him?”

“One thing at a time, Autumn.”

“The longer you wait, the more hurt he’s going to be. I would message him for you if I could, but since I can’t, you’d better do that as soon as I’m off this call.”

“I will,” I said, unsure whether it was a lie or not. Thinking about seeing Bryce, telling him I was staying with Charlotte, made me queasy. He said himself he didn’t believe Emily would want me to be miserable forever, but that was very different from knowing I was with someone else in any capacity.

I indulged Ollie as long as I could, but I’d put myself in charge of meals, and I wasn’t going to have Charlotte wake up to nothing. Cradling him in one arm, I put on a fresh pot of coffee and awkwardly washed up some blueberries. It was a task in itself to make sure they were all sliced for safety, knowing how rambunctious Ollie could be at meal times. He slept like a rock in my arms, and I silently wished I’d spent more time on arm workouts.

Once the blueberries were safe, I put together some fruit-and-yogurt parfaits before making quick work of their lunches.

Charlotte emerged, looking breathtakingly beautiful even though she was still half-asleep. Drawn to her, I crossed thesmall distance and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, dipping to breathe in her scent as I kissed the top of her hair.

“Good morning.”

She yawned, burrowing against my chest. “Morning.”

Ollie stirred, blinking owlishly at her. “Hi, Mommy.”

“Good morning, baby.”

“He met my executive team this morning.”

Charlotte paled. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, no, there’s nothing to apologize for. Children will be children, and I think the team enjoyed his visit.”

“Really? Andrew used to get so angry when the kids would interrupt him.”

I stroked my knuckles along her cheek, threading my fingers into her hair, gratified when her eyes drifted shut and she leaned into my palm. “I’m not angry. Ollie behaved very well.”

Tension dropped out of her shoulders, and when she met my eyes again, a soft smile graced her lips. “I should get the boys washed up. Come on, baby.”

Ollie went readily into her arms and she disappeared to wake up her Sammy and prepare them for the school day. I moved all my work items aside, tucking them safely on the counter before moving breakfast for everyone onto the coffee table. They ate while still in their pajamas to avoid needing to change fresh clothes. I sat with my coffee watching the chaos. The boys inhaled their food, proving Charlotte wise for making them wait to dress for the day. While she finished morning prep with them, I took their lunches from the fridge, put in ice packs, and added baggies of cereal for extra sustenance, tucking it all into their backpacks.

She hadn’t asked me to put in this level of care with her children, but it took me so little time in the quiet of the morning, and I wanted to be able to do this for them.

“Be good for your mother,” I told them both as she hustled them out the door.

With Charlotte and the children gone, the apartment descended into silence. I worked for another hour until she returned.

“Are you busy today?” I asked when she stepped through the door.

“Nothing that can’t be pushed off. Why?”

“I’d like to take you shopping for nesting supplies.”

She froze, looking at me like she wasn’t sure if I actually meant it. “What do you mean?”

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