Page 81 of Tides That Bind

“Tomorrow. Fine,” I tell Lucas. “Now go get ready so we won’t be late. And don’t forget, Nana is picking you up today.”

It’s amazing how quickly Lucas can pack up and put away the pout.

I lift the box of sugary cereal I know I didn’t buy as Lucas speeds out the kitchen.

“No one likes Corn Flakes, Harper.” Riley stands, taking bothbowls to the sink. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the sight of Riley doing dishes.

I put the box back into the pantry, catching sight of the dining room table, which is, well, a mess, but I did make a promise not to say anything. “Honestly, it’s fine if you want to take him today. We never really made an official schedule. I just don’t want you to feel obligated—”

“I don’t feelobligated,” Riley responds, reaching for a dish towel. “But I really can’t. I’m being sworn into the Bar Association this morning and—”

“You’rewhat?” I step closer. “What do you mean?”

“Even though I passed, I still have to—”

I hold up a hand. “No, I mean why didn’t you say anything?”

“I don’t know.” Riley shrugs. “It didn’t seem like that big a deal. It’s a formality. I just, you know, need to clean up, look presentable, get my paperwork in order. That’s why I can’t bring him.”

My eyes widen. “Not a big deal?”

Riley scratches the back of his head. “Not really.”

“Not really! Does Caroline know?”

“Yeah,” Riley says. “I needed her help with something for it.”

I purse my lips together, trying to decipher what I feel. I think I’m angry Riley didn’t even think to say something to me.

“It really isn’t a big deal.” He lifts his arms, stretching and I follow the length of his lean body, stopping at the trail of hair leading down to the band of his underwear peeking out from his pajama pants. “What? Did I spill something?”

I jump. “No…I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me.”

Even though I don’t agree with Riley’s decision to keep the fact he took the Bar—andpassed—to himself, I can understand it.

But not telling me about a ceremony to celebrate that achievement? That seems extreme.

“I told you,” Riley begins. “I took the Bar just to prove I could.”

I fold my arms.

“And it ended there for me. I’m only moving forward with all of this because of you.”

“Because ofme?”

“I mean, Lucas. Too. Also.” He waves me off. “You know what I mean. Anything for Lucas is also something for you. That happens when you’re a package deal.”

Pressing my lips together, I nod. Lucas and I are one entity for Riley, a package deal. That’s why he’s doing this, and I’m happy, truly. I’m happy he’s going out of his way, devoting his time to make my son’s life better.

But I’m also happy that whether Riley will ever admit it or not, I’m factored into it somewhere.

And I want him to feel the same way.

“Well, in this house, we celebrate each other. So today, I plan to celebrate you.”

“What’s that?”

“Nothing.” I toss the posterboard into the backseat. Climbing into the front, I smooth out my dress before putting on my seatbelt, feeling Riley’s stare from the driver’s seat. “What?”

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