Page 22 of Scarlet Secrets

Fuck.

Chapter Six

ERIN

Three yearslater

Sasha glares at me,tiger eyes bright with unshed tears and a bullish expression, a thunderstorm on his face.

“No, Mama!” He puffs out air.

I run a hand over his soft brown hair and he sniffles. “Yes, baby,” I say. “Mama’s got some things to do.” I don’t say party. He’ll think of cake, balloons, jumping castles.

“No, Mama!” he says again.

I kiss his silky cheek, still round with baby fat, and breathe in that powdery, warm little boy scent of his. “I’ll be back when you wake in the morning. And guess what?”

Suspicion lights up his gaze.

“Aunt Kara’s gonna be here with you. So if you’re good, she’ll read to you.”

The tears dry as his gaze sparks to the door, and a smile brightens up his face. “Kara.”

She’s standing there, and she waves to him, then holds upThe Adventures of Baby Pigpicture book, his favorite. “I’ll be right back, Sasha. Going to see what snacks we have.”

“Snacks!” he says, clearly dismissing me, and I follow my friend out.

I pat her on the arm in the small kitchen. “You know how to get him.”

“Yeah, me and the kid, we’re snackin’ buds,” she says with a laugh.

“You’re a sucker.”

She shrugs. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for the amber eyes on that kid.”

“Tiger eyes.”

“They’re like yours, but hold ice. He’s gonna break hearts when he hits kindergarten.”

“He’s two.”

“They start young, Erin. Why are you still here? Go!” She shoos me like a fly.

I hover and dither in the hall but Kara’s right there, so I can’t go back in and check on Sasha; maybe climb on the bed and read to him and have Kara feed us snacks. But she knows me too well and she just blocks the way, one hand holding my wrap, the other my car keys.

“Maybe I shouldn’t go.” I smooth my hands down the red of the dress. “What if?—”

“Hate to break it to you, but he’s got me. Go have fun.”

“I haven’t seen Max in ages,” I whisper, “so…”

“It’s a wedding, woman.” Kara jingles the keys. “Go. Now.” A wicked grin crosses her face. “Or I’ll be forced to fill your purse with condoms.”

“You wouldn’t.” But she would until bursting, so if I even thought about opening it, bam, a condom avalanche.

“Flavored and glow-in-the-dark ones.” Then Kara relents. “Go, Erin, it’s your night off.”

“I know. I just feel guilty.”

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