Page 190 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

What sucks is it doesn’t bring law enforcement any closer to locating those missing kids. They could be anywhere in the world by now—and that’s assuming they’re still alive.

Daniel moves closer to give me a side hug. “Here we are.”

I smile, returning his embrace. “Yep, here we are.”

Daniel presses a kiss on top of my head. “Welcome home, kiddo.”

I can’t believe we get to be neighbors. I knew Daniel wanted to move closer to us, so he’s the first person I told once we decided to get a bigger apartment. He was in between places at the time, so when I stumbled upon an ad for this duplex, I sent it to him without a moment’s hesitation. The rest is history.

I can confidently say divorcing my mom was the best thing that ever happened to Daniel. He’s a lot more present than before, and he’s become an important part of our lives. He’s even dating now, although he promised that he’d never let a woman stand in the way of his relationship with his kids again—and that’s including TJ.

I know TJ and Daniel technically aren’t related, but it doesn’t erase the eight years Daniel spent raising him. Once TJ found a way to make peace with his past, he agreed to spend time with Daniel alone and focus on strengthening their bond. Kelsea, however, was so young when he left she doesn’t have many memories of him, but that’s a work in progress.

My stomach growls just seconds after Daniel and I have separated. We haven’t had a chance to stop and get dinner yet.

“You hungry? I was thinking of ordering pizzas for everyone. My treat,” Daniel says.

“I’m sure everyone would love that. Thanks, Dad.”

“Great, I’ll put the order in and go unpack while we wait.”

On that note, Daniel makes a beeline for the front door to go up to his apartment. The door swings open before Daniel’s able to reach it, and TJ enters the house, greeting Daniel with a smile on his way in. Daniel pats him on the shoulder as he’s walking out.

TJ’s eyes find mine across the room, and the next thing I know, he’s sprinting toward me, lifting me up, and spinning me around like we’re in a romantic comedy.

Only it’s not.

This is my life.

Our lives.

I can only hope that nothing changes while he’s gone.

“There’s my girl.” TJ showers my face with kisses from the moment he’s set me down. “What does my baby think of our new place?”

I laugh, struggling to steady myself for a second. “She thinks it’s big. And fancy. And a little too good to be true. I can’t believe we get to live here.”

TJ smiles, nudging a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Well, believe it. Nothing’s ever going to be too good for us ever again.”

His mouth claims mine in a hungry kiss, and I grip the fabric of his shirt, holding him as close to me as physically possible.

“I just wish you’d be around to enjoy it a little longer,” I admit in between kisses.

“I know, baby, but it’ll only be for the first few years.”

I force a smile, my anxieties gnawing at my insides. My fake smile doesn’t seem fool him in the slightest.

“Lacey, look at me,” he whispers.

I oblige, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip.

“Nothingis going to stop me from building a life with you. I’ll be coming home every chance I get. And when I’m not home, we’ll always keep in touch. I promise you won’t even have time to miss me.”

“You say that now, but you can’t be sure. You might get caught up in your new life and feel differently.”

He releases a sigh, studying my face as though he’s not sure what else he could say to convince me.

He offers me his hand. “Here, I need to show you something.”

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