Page 94 of Perfect Bragg

“Yes, but I have to warn you.”

The tingles evaporate and a cold sweat replaces them. “Warn me?”

“As the biological father of Robin, Wesley Zimmerman has the right to file for custody again. Unless he terminates his parental rights, there’s always a chance Wesley will file again but the longer Robin is in your care and the more settled she is, the less his chance of success.”

Over my dead body will Wesley Zimmerman steal my baby away. “Okay. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

As soon as I end the call, Elder asks, “What happened? What did Mr. Craven want?”

A smile breaks out on my face. “Wesley’s petition for custody has been dismissed.”

He whoops before jumping to his feet and pulling me into his arms. He twirls me around in circles and I giggle in response.

“Best. News. Ever,” he declares. His gaze dips to my mouth and I lick my lips in response.

Unfortunately, this lick of lips is not in anticipation of feeling his lips on mine – no matter how much I may want to feel his lips one last time.

This is me preparing myself for the battle to come. Because it’s time. Enjoying a friends with benefits relationship with Elder was all fine and good while the custody battle for Robin raged, but now that it’s over, it’s time to move on.

I tap his shoulder. “Put me down.”

“Are you dizzy?” He waggles his eyebrows. “I have that effect on women.”

“Goofball time is over.”

“I gotcha.” He shackles my wrist and draws me toward the bedroom. “Time for sexy Elder.”

I plant my feet before yanking my hand away. “No. It’s time for Elder to exit stage right.”

“Stage right? Why is it always stage right? Why never stage left?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Fine. Time for Elder to exit stage left.”

He frowns. “What are you talking about?”

“You should go home.”

“Go home? I live here.”

“No,” I growl. “You live in a house off of Main Street in Winter Falls. You don’t live here.”

“I sleep in the bed in the bedroom down the hallway with you every night and my clothes are in your closet. Pretty sure those two acts together spell living here.”

I’m not going to argue about this. It’s hard enough to push him away as it is. But push him away I must. He deserves better than me.

“Regardless. It’s time for you to leave.”

“Why?”

“Because this whole arrangement is fake.”

He growls. “This hasn’t been fake for weeks and you know it.”

Maybe not. But it’s time for the fun and games to end.

I lift my nose in the air. “I know no such thing.”

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