Page 42 of Target

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, sitting forward, locking my Kindle.

“I gave you a nickname. Daddy said that we can only give nicknames to friends and people we care about.” I smile at her explanation.

“Emmi, you we more than welcome to call me ‘Maddi.’ I know that I am not family or a close friend, yet, but I would like you to feel comfortable around me enough to give me a nickname. I am okay with that. You too, Rex.” He nods with a smile that makes him look like his father.

Looking at them both, I see that Emmi took after her mom with her blonde hair, while Rex is all Kohen with his dark shade.

“Thank you. Are you and our dad dating?”

I blink at her question. Before I can answer, the game is paused and they both turn around to look at me. With two sets of green eyes staring at me I format an answer in my head that will not put me or their father in an awkward position. I have no idea what Kohen has told them.

Not that there is much to tell them. We have not gone on a date yet, even though he keeps hinting that we are going on one. Hell, he is not hinting, he is telling me outright that we are going on a date.

From the little time I have spent with Emmi and Rex, I know that I can explain certain things to them and they will understand.

“I am not sure what we are right now. We have only just met, so we are getting to know one another.” Emmi nods, but it is Rex who replies.

“Dad said that he wants to date you.” My eyebrows hit my hairline at what he just told me, my gaze flicking to Emmi and she is nodding enthusiastically.

“He is a good daddy, and man. Mom says it all the time. You will be lucky to have him as your man,” she tells me.

How are these kids only ten?

I look at the clock on the wall and see that they have had a little bit extra over the hour they had been given.

“Okay you two, it is time for bed. You know what to do, yes?” They nod, looking at each other with a knowing look, one that says I am avoiding their questioning.

“We showered already. We need to brush out teeth, then get ready for bed. You do not need to help us,” Rex tells me as they shut off their console.

I watch as they put away their things, shocked that at their age they are not complaining about doing simple chores.

Once they head upstairs, I clean up the kitchen, then check the security cameras at Grandpa Pete’s to make sure he is okay. He is still in his room, sleeping, thankfully.

Taking one step at a time, I make my way upstairs, checking on the kids.

Both are in their rooms; Emmi is already snuggled up with one of her plush toys.

“Good night, sweet girl.” I brush her hair off her forehead.

“Night, Maddi.’” Her eyes are already dropping.

Closing her door behind me, I walk to Rex’s room to find him holding a book in his lap.

“Are you supposed to be reading in bed?” I sit on the edge of his bed.

“Dad knows that I like to read a few pages before going to sleep. I promise it will only be a few,” he vows.

“Your dad is kinda cool, huh?”

He nods. “He is. He loves me and Emmi, and he looks after our sister, Raya, too, when Mom and Andrey are ill or just need to have a date night.”

“He is still close to your mom, then?”

I ask because I am curious about their relationship, but I know that it is kinda wrong asking a ten-year-old about his father’s relationship with his mother.

Waving my hand in the air, I get to my feet, knowing that I am in the wrong for asking him this question, or the others that are swirling around my head.

“Never mind. I am sorry for asking that, Rex. Read what you are allowed and then lights out, okay? Good night.” I leave the boy’s room, closing the door behind me, as my heart races in my chest.

---