Page 113 of The Assignment: Room 3

“That’s cute, pet, but you’re about to go pack a bag for each of you, and you’re coming back to my place tonight.”

“No.”

He strides toward me, anger radiating off him in waves. “This isn’t the time to be bratty, Celest. I’m serious. You’re all coming back to my place tonight while Luther comes to oversee the security system installation. Then, if you’re still pissed tomorrow, you can come back once this place is as secure as Fort Knox and your new security guard has been arranged.”

“Flex.” All of my fight dies when I think as a mother rather than an irate submissive. He’s right, and just because I don’t want to admit it, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s still right. Maybe it was just an animal outside tonight, but could I forgive myself if anything happened to Gracie and I had the means to stop it?”

“Fine.”

“Mommy, Mommy! Look!” Gracie is jumping up and down on the couch in Flex’s living room.

“Get down from there right now, Gracie Monroe. We do not jump on the furniture, especially in someone else’s house.”

“Aww, don’t be a buzzkill, Mommy,” Flex quips as he rushes over to the couch. I’m expecting him to lift her off, but instead, he jumps up next to her, bouncing like a five-year-old. “Come join us, Celest. It’s fun!”

“We’re supposed to set a good example for children.” I cross my arms over my chest, intent not to smile. I’m still mad at Flex for our earlier conversation. In truth, he had every right to be annoyed. He has no context for my reaction.

“I am! I’m teaching my Gracie bear to always enjoy life. It’s okay to forget everything else once in a while and just have fun. Come on. Tell her, Gracie!”

“It’s fun, Mommy. Fex is fun!” She gives me that heartfelt smile of hers, and I melt. With my hands on my hips, I move to the couch’s edge, where Flex reaches out his hand. God, he’s handsome and too lovable to stay mad at when he’s making my daughter laugh and love without a care in the world.

Gracie is right. This is fun. It’s such a stark contrast to our humble home. I’ve never seen Gracie so happy, and she’s a happy kid, but there’s something about Flex that makes her—I don’t know—secure. Maybe I’m projecting how he makesmefeel.

We jump and laugh, and I feel so much better already. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been this free. I get so caught up I lose my balance, and brace myself for the inevitable tumble to the floor, but it doesn’t come.

Flex’s arm wraps around my waist, catching me before I fall. My heart takes flight as he pulls me tight against his chest before pressing his lips to mine. “You’re so fucking beautiful when you laugh.”

“Mommy, you’re funkin’ beautiful!”

Under any other circumstances, I would be pissed about this because I go out of my way to make sure I don’t curse around Gracie, but it just sounded hilarious. Flex and I burst out laughing, which just makes my three-year-old say it again and again, her little pigtails bobbing as she continues to jump up and down.

When Flex manages to stop laughing, he gets off the couch and stands in front of my tiny terror. Holding his arms out, Gracie launches herself at him with complete confidence that he’ll catch her.

“Gracie bear, I shouldn’t have said a naughty word. Mommy is beautiful.”

“Yay! Funkin’ beautiful!”

It is taking every ounce of self-restraint for Flex to keep a straight face right now. “No, Gracie bear. Just beautiful. That other word isn’t good, and I shouldn’t have said it. That was my fault. It will make your mommy mad at me. Can you help me and not say it anymore?”

“Yes, because I wuv you, Fex.”

“I love you, too, Gracie bear.” He dances with her in one arm, beckoning me to join them with the other. With no music playing, we twirl and laugh like a real family. My eyes well with tears, and Flex is so observant he notices straightaway.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just so lovely to see you with Gracie.”

“Don’t cry. This is just the beginning of our happy memories together, pet. Isn’t that right, Gracie bear?” She squeals in his arms, and I’m pretty sure she just pierced Flex’s eardrum.

He gives her a tight squeeze before setting her down.

“Can you go and check on Gan Gan for me? See if she wants a blankie to sleep tonight.”

“I ask. I ask.” She teeters down the hall to open the guest room door.

Flex cups my face with his hands. “Talk to me, pet. It’s been a long night.”

“I just… we had that fight earlier, and I feel bad. I’m scared that someone wants to hurt you. I’m terrified to want this.”

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