Page 85 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
“It’s June,” Coop says as he rounds the car, grabbing the diaper bag and handing Lila her sandals. “You’ll live.”
“Daddy, I don’t wanna walk,” Lila protests.
“Of course you don’t.” Cooper scoops her up and rests her on his shoulders as if she weighs nothing. He glances at me. “We’re late.”
“We’re always late,” I sigh, adjusting Jude’s sun hat as he fusses.
“Well, we’re wrangling three tiny demons. Your mom will understand.” Cooper grins, steady as ever.
He picks up the cake box from the back and I glance up to the wide porch draped with hanging ferns and bright summer flowers. It never changes. It’s exactly the way I remember it from my childhood.
We’re about to head up when the hum of an engine makes us all stop and turn.
A black Jaguar F-Type pulls to the curb behind us. Low and sleek, but not flashy.
My breath catches as the driver’s door opens.
Padraig.
He steps out, more handsome than I remember. Like he’s grown into himself. His hair is shorter than the last time I saw him. Long enough to brush his collar, but neater now. He wears a white linen button-down with the sleeves rolled to hisforearms, faded jeans, and worn-in boots. He moves with the same quiet confidence I remember.
He’s not alone.
A gorgeous woman climbs out of the passenger seat, elegant in an effortless way. She’s young. Much younger than me. Blonde hair pinned in a loose twist at the nape of her neck, not a strand out of place. A sleeveless cream silk blouse tucked into perfectly tailored navy capris. Nude leather sandals easily worth more than my entire Target outfit.
Despite her youth, she’s the kind of woman who makes you straighten your posture without even realizing it.
I glance down at myself. Denim shorts, a tank top streaked with Jude’s breakfast, sneakers I pulled on while wrangling three kids into the car. My hair’s in a messy braid I started in the mirror and finished at a stoplight.
Not too long ago, I cared about lipstick, earrings, and polished hair. Now I consider it a win if I leave the house in clean clothes.
Standing here looking at the woman who must be Padraig’s significant other, I feel every inch of the distance between the two versions of me.
Padraig closes the car door behind her and settles a hand at the small of her back as they walk toward us. The gesture is casual and intimate, the kind I used to know by heart.
His gaze lifts and locks on mine. For a fraction of a second, it’s only us. The noise of the kids, the bright summer day, all of it fades. His expression shifts, almost imperceptibly. A flicker of something familiar and raw flashes behind his eyes before he blinks it away.
“Stevie,” he greets me when they’re closer, his voice steadier than mine could ever be in this moment.
“Hey,” I chirp too brightly, adjusting Jude on my hip. “It’s been a while.”
“Yeah.” He glances at Cooper and our kids before looking back at me. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” I flick my eyes to the beauty next to him.
Padraig follows my gaze and smiles warmly. “This is Mara. Mara, this is Stevie.”
“Hi.” She offers her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I reply and take her hand briefly.
Padraig turns to Cooper, who’s stepped beside me. “Coop.” He clasps my husband’s hand firmly. “How goes it? It’s been a long time. Last time I saw you was drinks in New York.”
I barely contain my wince. Unbeknownst to my children, the situation had been reversed back then. I’d been with Padraig and not their father.
“Good to see you.” Unbothered, Cooper shifts Lila on his shoulders. “Busy with this lot, but good. You seem to be doing great.”
“Aye, I’m touring most of the year so I’m not in Seattle often to have dinner with the family.” Padraig glances toward my house before looking at me. “I heard your mom invited us all over later for cake. Are you’re sure it’s okay?”
