Page 81 of A Sinful Gravity

He nodded.

More silence.

I looked at his profile. Fire burned inside me.

But I said nothing.

I wouldn't interfere with Luna's social life. I'd promised.

Footsteps on the stairs. Luna came down, Laila behind her. She'd already changed into her coat and had her little backpack on.

Seeing Seb, Luna's mouth curved slightly.

"Sorry, I was in the bathroom. Didn't hear you."

"No problem." Seb took Laila's hand. "Car's outside."

Luna nodded, crouched down to adjust Laila's coat collar. Laila was already impatiently tugging Seb's hand toward the door.

"Bye, Mommy! Bye, Cassian!"

I stood in the entryway, watching them walk out. Seb held Laila's little hand. Laila bounced along, chattering about something.

"Wait." I heard myself speak.

They stopped, looked back at me.

I walked over, crouched in front of Laila. "Let me check your backpack."

Laila obediently turned around. I opened her backpack and looked inside.

Tissues. Wet wipes. Her pink water bottle, half empty. Some cookies, the kind Chloe bought.

Not enough.

I pulled out the cream puffs I'd just bought, tucked in a box. Got out a small bottle of water, replaced her half-empty one.

"This water's room temperature. Drink this instead." I put the new bottle in, checked her coat. "The restaurant will haveheating. You don't need to wear so much. If you get hot, take it off and have Seb hold it for you."

Laila stood still, letting me fuss.

I finished checking her backpack and looked at her hair. The braid was a bit loose—Luna had done it this morning.

I reached out, then pulled back.

"Your hair... want Mommy to redo it?"

Laila touched her head. "No need! It's fine like this!"

She stood on her tiptoes and suddenly leaned in.

A soft, damp kiss landed on my cheek.

"Thank you, Cassian! You're so nice!"

She kissed me and ran, pulling Seb's hand toward the door. Seb glanced back at me, his expression complicated, like he hadn't expected this from me.

Then they disappeared through the door.