Page 47 of Wild Side
“Nothing, nothing.” Tabitha rubs a hand on his back. “Right, Rhys?”
“Yeah. No. In fact, buddy, we’ve got…” Again, I find myself staring at his aunt as I search for the right words for this.
Something to tell you?
An announcement to make?
Nothing quite encapsulates the way I’m feeling about the situation. “Some good news to share.”
I don’t miss the subtle quirk of Tabitha’s one brow.
Good news.
I rationalize that it’s good newsfor Milobecause it works out best for him.
Milo’s rosy lips tip up in my direction as he searches for more information, so I turn, giving him my full attention, one hand gripping the back of his chair for support. “Your aunt Tabby and I… well… we… we’re getting married.” My voice sounds strained, and Tabitha looks like she’s just pulled a precarious piece in Jenga.
Milo’s brows furrow for a beat, as though mulling over a problem that confuses him. “Like a mom and a dad?”
Tabitha sucks in a breath, blinking away quickly, as her hand moves on his back again. I swallow thickly, feeling all too kindred with Milo.
“Yeah, kind of like that.”
“We be all together?”
Tabitha’s eyes catch on mine, and I get lost there for a beat. She’s unreadable, save for the soft nod she gives me.
Together with Tabitha.It’s a dangerous sentiment, one that has become increasingly appealing with every moment I spend in her vicinity.
“Except when I’m away for work. But I promise you I’ll come back in between.”
I can feel Tabitha staring at me. Can feel the unspoken questions pelting me from the side. She wants to know more—deserves to know more—but I’m still struggling to feel like I don’t have to hide.
It’s a tough habit to break. But lately I’ve become more concerned about what my being in the public eye could mean for her and Milo—for theirprivacy. The last thing this tentative new relationship between us needs is media attention and amateur internet sleuths piecing things together.
Which is why I keep my focus on Milo.
Milo, who rolls his lips together thoughtfully, chubby little fingers twirling a crayon. Finally, he turns his wide, deep-blue eyes on me, then on Tabitha. “This makes me so happy.” Then he turns and looks over at the crooked corn plant in the corner. His lips slowly turn up in the softest smile before he delivers the killing blow with his baby voice and fumbled pronunciations. “Erika! Aunty Tabby Cat and Ree are getting married!”
My eyes fill, and my head nods as I watch him go back to drawing like he didn’t just eviscerate me with the simplest sentence in the world.
It makes me realize that I’d do anything for him.
Even marry a woman who can’t stand me.
One who I can’t stop thinking about.
CHAPTER 17
TABITHA
Rhys:
What type of flowers do you want for your bouquet?
Tabby:
Are there any that you’re allergic to?
