Page 103 of The Forever Play

“Dick,” the scarecrow scoffs and saunters out of the room, shouting up the stairs. “Zan, you’ve got company!”

I tense against Wily’s side until I hear Zander’s faint reply. “Cool. Down in a sec.”

Wily gives my shoulder a light squeeze before letting me go. “Have you guys had breakfast yet? Grady’s makingpancakes if you want some. I’ll tell him to make some extra if you’re staying.”

“Are you sure that’s okay if we do?” I dart my eyes to Carson’s retreating back.

“Of course it is.” Wily rubs my arm, obviously trying to warm me up while smiling at Zoey. “Inviting two pretty ladies to stay for breakfast is most definitely okay. You like pancakes, cowgirl?”

She nods, hugging his football like a teddy bear, then giggling when he starts making silly faces.

I let out a watery laugh, so incredibly grateful for Wily right now.

He gives me a worried smile, his hand slowing to soft circles on my back. “You okay?”

Forcing a nod and a smile that feels anything but genuine, I softly murmur, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Little liar.” He winks at me and then glances toward the archway as footsteps sound on the stairwell.

“Foobawl!” Zoey points at Zander the second he appears.

His face lights with a grin as she wiggles out of Wily’s arms and runs over to him. She’s still holding Wily’s football, and Zander picks them both up with a laugh. “Hey, pretty girl. I didn’t know you were coming to see me this morning. This is the best surprise.”

My insides get all mushy as I watch this man with our daughter and know I’ve done the right thing by coming here.

He looks at me, all lit up like a Christmas tree until he spots my face. Then his eyes skim down my body, and he suddenly registers what I’m wearing.

His smile slips away in an instant and he’s walkingacross the room, his steps quick, deep concern making his voice thick. “What happened?”

“I…” I shake my head, tears getting the better of me. Now that he’s here, now that I’m safe and I can lean against him and let it all out, my body shudders and a pitiful whimper pops out of my mouth.

The second I rest my head against his shoulder, his arm comes around me and I’m cocooned to his side.

“Hey, cowgirl, let’s go see how Grady’s getting on with those pancakes.”

“Mommy.” She sounds worried.

“It’s okay, Zoey. I’ve got Mommy. I’ll bring her through to the kitchen in just a minute, okay?” Zander’s voice is so soft and sweet it sends a wave of fresh tears coursing through me. “Do you think you can make a pancake for her? If I remember right, Mommy loves lots of butter and maple syrup.”

I smile and nod against his shoulder.

“Come on, let’s go.” Wily takes Zoey, and the second Zander’s arms are free, he’s pulling me flush against him and cradling the back of my head.

“Talk to me, Sparks. What happened?”

I suck in a breath that sounds more like a sob, and he holds me that much tighter, his strength and powerful body bringing me instant comfort.

He brushes his lips across my head. “It must have been bad if you left the house in nothing but your pajamas. Did you have a fight with Russell or something?”

I nod. “It’s never happened before. We’ve always gotten along so great, you know? But I tried to tell him about you and me, and he just lost it.” My voice pitches. “He was so pissed that we’d done it in his house.”

“You told him we had sex?” Zander sounds surprised. “Please tell me you didn’t lead with that.”

I let out a whimpering laugh at his teasing and lightly slap his side. “He saw the hickey, and it all just kind of spilled out.”

“Saw your hickey how?” He pulls back, checking the positioning and then looking ready to throttle something.

I swallow, worried I’m gonna be facing another meltdown if I don’t word this carefully. Stepping back from Zander, I wrap the blanket tightly around myself and whisper, “We were making pancakes in the kitchen, and…”

---