Page 80 of The Wife Situation

“Oh,” she whispers.

A minute later, the doorbell rings, and I answer. I step to the side and allow Anna to enter. She smiles at me before noticing Alexis with Connor.

There’s a look in her eye, but she doesn’t say anything. She knows better. “How is he today?”

“In a good mood—foronce.”

“Connor,” Anna singsongs, and as soon as he sees her, he latches on to Lexi and cries. “Come on, sweetie. It’s time to go to your friend’s birthday party.”

He screams at the top of his lungs, and my ears ring. Lexi doesn’t know what to do as Connor grabs on to her T-shirt and refuses to let go.

Anna struggles but eventually pulls him away and holds him in her arms as he kicks his feet and arms. “You need a nap.”

“Noooooooo,” he screams like she’s hurting him. She’s not.

“Lexi! Lexi!” he says with his arms outstretched.

“You’ll see each other again soon,” I tell him, following them to the door. “But you have to be good right now.”

He blinks up at me, pouting. Elephant-sized tears run down his cheeks.

“Lexi.” He points to Lexi, then shoves his fingers in his mouth. Tears that he forces streak his cheeks. The boy can turn them on in a snap.

“I’ll be here,” she promises.

“She’s not going anywhere,” I confirm.

He nods and I hug him, moving his messy hair from his face.

“Be a gentleman, okay?”

“Thank you,” Anna whispers, meeting my eyes before they leave.

When they’re gone, I lock the door, then turn toward her. “How was your day?”

“Wait.” She shakes her head. “That’s the first thing you’re saying to me after that?”

I smirk and lift a brow. “What are you referring to?”

“Easton, you have asecret baby. I did some research, and no one ever once mentioned you had a kid.”

I move to the couch, sitting next to her.

“How do you feel about that?” I ask, studying her, reading her, trying to understand what she thinks.

Lexi sucks in a deep breath. “Having a child involved with something so …temporaryis a bad idea.” She leans back against the cushion.

“He’s already Team Lexi though. The kid has the memory of an elephant. I’m sure he’ll be asking about you for weeks to come.”

We sit in silence for a minute as she tries to process whatever it is she’s thinking.

“You two have the same eyes.”

“It’s a Calloway thing,” I admit. “My dad and grandfather. Good genes.”

“He’s cute. It will be fun, having him around,” she finally says. “Give me someone to hang out with when you’re off doingwhatever you do. But … I wish you’d told me so I could’ve been moreprepared,” she hurries and adds.

I can’t hold it in any longer and burst into laughter.

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