Page 62 of The P Arrangement

I rocked him back and forth for a few seconds, just enjoying the feel of holding him in my arms.

“Are you ready to go, or do we need to pack your stuff?”

“He’s good to go. He was packed last night.”

“Oh, good. I’m ready to take him home.”

Natalie lifted her brow. “You know you are more than welcome to stay here.”

“Nah.”

My sister opened her mouth, and I could tell she wanted to say something to me, but she was trying to figure out a way to be diplomatic about it.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” was what she came up with.

“No,” I answered honestly.

Natalie’s eyes widened. She probably hadn’t expected me to admit that.

“But it’s where I want to be. I know it’s probably not smart or wise, but I want to be with him. After I left him, deep down, I thought he was going to come after me, and when he didn’t, I felt like I didn’t get the closure I needed.”

Looking back, I had left rather abruptly because I was trying to make a point. I hadn’t gotten to say good-bye to our relationship the way I needed to.

“And maybe that’s what I can get from all this because I know it has an expiration date—unlike before, when I thought we were going to be together forever. Maybe my house situation will be exactly what I need to help me move on.”

My sister looked like she was about to cry. “Oh, honey, that is so sad.” She put a smile on her face. “But I completely understand.”

“Thank you.” I squeezed Paxton. “Hey, baby, are you ready to go and see Daddy?”

He lifted his head so fast that he almost hit my chin. “Daddy?”

“Yes. We have to go home and see him.”

“Let’s go then.”

I laughed, kissed him, and gave him another hug before setting him down. “Go get your stuff.”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Natalie said, “Be careful with Pax.”

“I think it will be good for him to stay in one place for a week or so. He just lost one of his homes,” I said, repeating what Preston had said last night. “And with Madison still gone, it will be easier for Preston and me to not have to shuttle him back and forth.”

“Okay. I get what you’re saying. But he might get the wrong idea if he sees the two of you together all the time and you sleeping in his father’s bed.”

I chewed on my lip. She had a good point. “We will sit him down today and tell him it’s temporary. And Preston has a guest room.”

Natalie snorted. “That you are going to spend zero nights in.”

I shrugged. “Paxton doesn’t need to know that.”

“Just be careful, okay?”

I nodded. “I will.”

Paxton and I grabbed all his things, and I loaded him up in Preston’s truck.

“Tis Daddy’s tuck.”

“Yeah, buddy, it is.”

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