Page 40 of Perfect Playbook

And that’s how she explained who I am? A rush of tenderness warms my chest, but I catch it before it runs away with me.

“I told you I like to be honest with him,” she qualifies the situation but quickly escapes any touch with the past by whisking Nino over to the living room.

She shuffles over to the couch with Nino still in her arms, and they plop down together. In a deft move, she swoops Nino onto her lap and snuffles his neck with her nose. His giggle releases a magical, joyful energy into the room, the kind only children have.

“I missed you, baby.” She gives him a hundred kisses, and he laughs with every one.

Luis gestures for me to sit. We both take armchairs to either side of the couch where Shay seems like she would gladly stay hugging Nino for the rest of her life.

But to my surprise, she says, “I need to get you to bed, my gorgeous young man. We have a lot of things to talk about tomorrow.”

“Like how you and Logan got married?”

Shay impulsively whips her gaze to her father. “Dad!”

“I…” He throws his hands up in defeat. “I have a big mouth. It’s hard to keep news like that.” His shoulders are at his ears. “I mean, it’s not exactly a secret!”

Nino looks confused. “Is it a secret that you’re married?”

“No, baby. No. Of course not. I just wanted to be the one to tell you.”

“So you and Logan love each other again?”

Her jaw drops, and her face freezes, but instead of saying yes she simply nods, not really up and down, but kind of in a circle, and I think she’s about as good at hiding what she thinks from this little guy as her dad is.

Clearly, this is a tough moment for her. Harder for her than for me, so I come to the rescue. “I care about your mom, Antonio. Would it be okay with you if we care for her together?”

His smile fades, and for a beat I’m worried I went too far.

His nod is almost somber. “That would be great, Logan, because she is very messy in the bathroom.”

Shay’s jaw really drops now. “I am not.” She tickles his tummy, and the sound of wind chimes fills the room.

I hope it’s like this every day. Though I have laughs in my life, there isn’t laughter. Not like this. Innocent. Simple. Fireflies sparking in the middle of a pitch-black night. This is special. This is something I’ve never had.

Shay stands and pulls Nino up with her in one fell swoop.

“I’m taking you to bed. We’ll talk about everything else tomorrow. Say goodnight to Papá Luis and Logan.”

She turns to leave, and he waves over her shoulder.

“Buenas noches, Abuelo y Logan.”

“Buenas noches,” I say in my best accent possible but Ihaven’t used my language app since college. I should get one fired up again.

She takes the munchkin down the hall, leaving me with Luis. Just when I’m thinking that went well, the temperature in the room changes.

Luis gets up from his spot opposite me and takes the seat nearest to mine, leaning against the armrest to get as close as he can. “Shay said you’ve been talking for a while. Resurrecting your past…”

I draw my lips into a thin line.Here we go…

“You know I always liked you, Logan. And still do. I work with your sister, Jolie, now here on the ranch. I do deals with Colt. You’re from a good family.”

“Thank you.”

“But… Do I need to show you the size of my shotgun?” He’s serious for all but a moment, but one of his eyebrows gives away the bluff.

Gosh, Luis is one hell of a man.

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