Page 98 of Riding the Waves

“Boys!” she said. “We’re here.” We’re home, she added quietly to herself while they tossed their iPads into the middle seat and flung open the doors.

Damian turned at the shouts of “Daddy”, his face lighting up as he opened his arms to Billy and Marty.

With a silly smile stretched wide over her face, Amy followed the boys. Damian set the boys down when she got near and pulled her into an embrace while pressing his lips to hers.

“That is disgusting!” Billy announced.

“You’d better get used to it.” Damian ruffled his hair. “I’m going to be kissing Mummy all the time.”

Dancing around them, Billy stuck his tongue out and laughed. “Can I go inside and get a lollipop?”

Damian nodded. “You know where they are.”

Marty lingered with his head pressed against Damian’s hip. “Anthony’s taking us to Disneyland for Christmas,” he said, before wandering after his brother.

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Is he?”

“Sorry.” Amy winced. “I should have asked you first. It was so hard for him to say goodbye to them this morning. He asked if he could take them and I said I thought it would be fine. After Christmas, obviously. Not for Christmas. And just for a few days.”

“It’s fine by me,” Damian said, his hands resting casually on her hips.

“Really?”

“Yes. The boys get a treat and so do we – time to ourselves.” His eyes flashed with lust before his lips met hers again.

“I didn’t even think about that.” In the years she’d been married to Anthony, she’d never looked forward to the time they had as a couple when the boys were with Damian. She’d usually spent more time in the office. “That actually sounds like a very nice Christmas present.”

Damian kissed her again, cupping her face and making butterflies flutter in her stomach. She did a quick mental calculation on how long it would be until the boys were all tucked in bed and they’d get some time alone.

From the way Damian grumbled as he pulled away from her, she deduced he was having similar thoughts.

“Let’s get you home and unpacked,” he said, before going in search of the boys.

They’d just arrived at Damian’s place when Scarlett’s car pulled up behind Amy’s. The boys bounded straight over to her, and she crouched to hug them both.

“Hi,” Amy said, leaving Damian to unload the car while she greeted Scarlett. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too.” Scarlett gave her a quick hug but was less enthusiastic than she was with the boys. “I’ve got loads of things to do today, but I wanted to come and see my favourite brats for a bit.”

“Hey!” Amy beamed. “You got it!”

Scarlett’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Did I sound affectionate?”

“Yes!” Amy chuckled at how pleased Scarlett looked.

“We’re going to Disneyland at Christmas,” Marty told her, gingerly taking her hand.

“We live here now,” Billy informed her.

“I know.” She started up the path with them. “I’ll be able to babysit for you whenever your mum and dad go out.”

“Can you go out soon?” Marty looked hopefully at Amy.

“No!” Damian called, lugging a large suitcase past them. “With what Scarlett charges, we’ll hardly be able to go out at all.”

Amy tried to help with unloading the car, but Damian shooed her away, telling her to relax and catch up with Scarlett.

Taking advantage of the mild weather, they sat out on the patio, the boys kicking a football around the garden while Scarlett chatted to Amy about her writing. She stopped abruptly and pulled her phone from her pocket, then frowned at the message.

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