Page 107 of Sweet Thing

She nodded. “I’m not in the habit of keeping secrets from my husband.”

Need advice? I’m a freakin’ expert.

I was betraying this man every day, and I had thought I could tell him about Adeline? About how my feelings for her had developed. About how it had gone from lust to love in an instant.

That would not be happening. I had taken the trust of a friend, his family, his daughter, and abused it. Not so different from the old man after all.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do that.”

“Really? My daughter did. She doesn’t want to upset the team’s strongest partnership. But if she’s serious about you—and I think she is—that will have to happen. I don’t want my daughter or my husband to be hurt, Lars.”

That said it all. I was all set to rip that partnership to shreds last night, but the collateral damage would be monumental.

Mabel made a sound, looking for attention. The sight of her should have warmed me, but all I could think of was her short life’s volatility. Her mother missing, her father a traitor to his legacy and his friends, not to mention what I was doing to Adeline. Clinging to her for dear life because she and Mabel were the only good things in it.

“What happened with Adeline was a mistake. I’ll take care of it.”

Elle studied me. “She’ll be hurt.”

“She’ll get over it. First major crush and all that.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but this conversation had to end. “You don’t need to stay, Elle.”

She looked taken aback. She had to realize that this knowledge between us changed everything. What I had done to her daughter and her family had expended all my goodwill. I could no longer use the Kershaws as a crutch.

“It’s okay,” I assured her. “Thanks for the coffee. Thanks for everything.”

Adeline

Dragginga heart-shaped balloon and with a tartan teddy under my arm, I rounded the corner of the hospital corridor just as a nurse was leaving Mabel’s room.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, Mabel’s with her dad. We’ve just discharged her, so she’ll be heading home.”

Relieved, I headed inside. Lars was pulling her tiny pink jacket on, but Mabel was resisting.

“Hey, team!”

He looked up at me, his brows drawn together in a V. “Hello.”

“The nurse told me she’s coming home.” I rushed in to help with her sleeve. “There ya go, Mabel.” She fisted my hair and gave it a good tug. “You must be so pleased,” I said to Lars.

“I am. Thanks for looking after her.”

“Of course. I would say it’s my job, but it’s more than that. It’s Mabel. I’m crazy about her.”

A curious range of emotions danced across his face. “I’d better get her home.”

Something about the way he said it pulled me up short.I,notwe.

He was still fussing with Mabel’s jacket, not looking at me directly. “I called the childcare agency this morning. Janet’s still available and she can start on Monday.”

My heart plummeted. That was mere days away. “I didn’t realize you were ready to hire someone. You don’t feel like you’re settling?”

“I’m learning that compromise is the essence of parenthood. You said she was the best candidate we interviewed.”

I had, weeks ago, but I expected more discussion, that these decisions would be made as a team. As a family. I chuckled nervously. “Lars, are you firing me?”

Finally, he looked at me squarely. “This had to end sometime, Adeline.”

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