Page 73 of Forever Flirting

“Goodnight, Alex.”

CHAPTER19

EVERLY

Everly said ‘goodbye’to her final patient, and hadn’t made it to the front desk when she heard Caleb calling her name…

“Ohhh Eberrrleeee? Err are ou?”

“Not yet, Caleb. Everly is still working, and we don’t want to bother our girl. Why don’t you look at the fish again?” Alex cautioned softly.

Everly looked at Megan and smirked knowingly, because there was no hiding this relationship anymore. The whole office knew she had someone that she was talking to – and it wasn’t hard to figure out who it was.

“Go,” Megan smiled. “I’ll lock up. I’m going to confirm tomorrow’s appointments and then head out myself.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

She grabbed her purse and keys, making her way to the front, only to hear her name screamed in excitement by Caleb.

“Ebberrrleeee… you’tee my Daddy? My Daddy s’ere!” Caleb said eagerly, jumping up and down, wanting to be picked up. She scooped him up into her arms and kissed his cheek, hugging him.

“I know your Daddy is here – and we are going to spend the afternoon together going to the park, before having dinner with your mama.”

“Da’park?”

“Yes,” Alex smiled at her, holding out his hands towards Caleb as the little boy dove happily towards him. “How was your day?”

“It’s fantastic now,” Everly smiled, leaning forward to kiss him softly, and treasuring the warmth of his gaze as he returned her smile, before taking her hand.

“Hmm,” Alex said softly, leaning closer and kissing her cheek. “Someone might get the impression that you like me…”

“They just might…” she said coyly, meeting his eyes and recognizing that silent joy within them that she could see every time she closed her eyes.

Alex drove to the park, and Caleb was everywhere within seconds. He was running just as fast as his little legs would carry him, fearlessly talking to any of the children that were there, and banging on the xylophone sculpture that was built into a concrete base for them to play with. She and Alex walked around behind Caleb, holding hands, and just talking.

“I hope you don’t mind something simple for dinner,” she said easily, watching Caleb. “Mallory seemed okay about you coming, and I really don’t want either of you to feel uncomfortable – but it’s my home. I really want to be able to relax or unwind without any pressure, you know?”

“I appreciate that – and you are right,” Alex said quietly, his eyes on his son as she looked up at his profile. “If we are going to have a future, building on this, then we need to face what that future would look like some day. I want to celebrate holidays with my family – and he’s my son.”

“And always will be,” she agreed.

“I’m not saying that I want to be best friends with Mallory, and I know we have a very tenuous past… but if things were pleasant or amicable, it would be good for everyone involved.”

“I agree,” she smiled softly. “And I understand, because I actually had to warn my brother about Mallory.”

“Oh? Why?”

“She always used to make comments or cracks about how cute she thought Killian is… and I don’t know if he said something to her or what – but this time when he came to visit? It was extremely different.”

“I think something happened during this last visit. Your brother has someone he’s talking to – and I think so does Paradox.”

“I think so too. I haven’t wanted to intrude on him…” and then Everly laughed, looking at Alex. “Look at us walking around like some old married couple, watching the children play. Why don’t we get Caleb some fish food and let him feed the Koi in the far pond?”

“Everly?”

There was something in Alex’s voice that stopped her as Caleb ran forward in sheer excitement, breaking the moment and interrupting whatever he was about to say.

---