Page 59 of Pucking Secret

“I want Owen to tuck me in!”

I blink, taken aback by Millie’s insistence but Stacey nods and gives me a small smile.

“Come on,” she tells me. “You heard her.”

That’s all the encouragement I need. I follow the two up the stairs and wait in the hallway while Stacey gets Millie cleaned up and into her pajamas.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opens again and Stacey pops her head out. “Come on in. She wants you to read her a story.”

I make my way inside and cross to Millie’s bed. She’s tucked under the covers with her new teddy bear next to her, and she’s holding a picture book of fairy tales.

“Owen! Will you read me Cinderella?”

“Sure thing, kiddo.”

Millie makes room for me and pats the spot next to her.. Sitting, she hands me the book and snuggles into my side. She’s so relaxed. So trusting.

I swallow down a sudden lump in my throat before I begin reading the story.

“Once upon a time, in a faraway land…”

Stacey watches us from where she’s leaning against the doorway. I can see that the sugar crash is starting to take hold as Millie’s eyelids droop and then shut fully. She’s fast asleep before the prince puts the glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot. Closing the book, I lean down and place a soft kiss on Millie’s head before carefully slipping out of the bed.

As we step out of Millie’s room and I pull the door shut behind us, Stacey turns to me, a look of determination in her eyes. I’m not really sure what to make of that… it’s a stark shift from the tender expression she’d had while I read Millie her story.

“Thank you,” she says quietly. “For everything tonight. Going to her performance and coming over for ice cream. She had so much fun.”

“She’s a great little kid,” I tell her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her against me. “I had a blast hanging out with her.”

Lowering my head, I capture her lips in a long kiss. I’ve been wanting to kiss her since I saw her at the rink, but I knew better than to touch her in front of Millie. She responds, wrapping her arms around my neck and opening her mouth so I can deepen the contact.

I could get used to this. Spending the day having fun with Millie, like we’re a real family, and then spending my nights with Stacey wrapped in my arms. It’s the type of life I always imagined with her, and now it feels so natural to just step into it. To go all in with her and Millie.

To be a husband and a father. I only want it with these two.

When we break our kiss, Stacey gazes up at me for several long moments.

“Owen,” she murmurs. “There’s something I need…”

Before she can finish, her phone buzzes in her pocket. Releasing a frustrated sigh, she digs her phone out and furrows her brow when she sees who’s calling.

“Who is it?” I ask, curious.

“It’s the assisted living facility my Gram lives in,” she says. “Why would they be calling this late? Hold on a sec.” She steps out of my arms and answers the call. I watch her as she talks, but suddenly, face crumples and I tense, alarmed. “A heart attack?” she repeats, her voice breaking. “Is she…? Okay. Okay. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

She ends the call, clutching the phone against her chest as her breathing grows heavy.

“They think my Gram had a heart attack,” she whispers, her eyes wide with panic. “I need to go. I need to…” She trails off. She’s in no state to go anywhere on her own, and I’m overwhelmed with the need to help her. My heart hurts seeing her so upset.

“Stacey, breathe,” I say, stepping closer and placing my hands on her shoulders. “Call Grace or Skyler to come stay with Millie. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“But—”

“No buts,” I interrupt firmly. “You’re in no state to drive right now. Grace or Skyler live close, right? They’ll be here in minutes. Let me help. It’s okay, you’re not alone. You have friends. You haveme. You can lean on us for support, okay?”

Her hands tremble as she nods and fumbles with her phone. A few moments later, she’s spoken to Grace, who promises to be here within ten minutes.

True to her word, Grace arrives as promptly as ever. She gives Stacey a reassuring hug and promises to take good care of Millie. Once she’s settled, I guide Stacey out to my car.

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