Page 59 of Bobby

“I have a few meetings off-site that will take me most of the night. Mary will pick you up at the normal time to get the girls.”

“Okay,” I say while looking him over. I spent hours in his arms last night, but being this close still makes me feel giddy. And when he leans forward for a lingering kiss, the last of my worries leave my body.

“Have a good day at work, Wildflower,” He says with a smirk before releasing me, and I walk in a daze into the office and up to my floor.

When Missy greets me with a smile, I clear the daze from my mind and greet her back.

“Hey.” She doesn’t ask where I was yesterday, and I don’t bring it up. Who knows what Bobby told them. No one asked when I returned emails yesterday afternoon either.

The day goes by quickly, and before I know it, the girls and I are exiting the elevator, and I’m using our key to get into our apartment.

“Mommy, you missed it. Mr. Tommy made us sundaes with three kinds of toppings.” Lily hasn’t stopped talking about her special dessert or the impromptu sleepover she and Ivy had last night.

“Did you and Mr. Bobby have any fun, Mommy?” Ivy asks with way too much innocence to make me blush.

“Um, yeah.” Did my voice just squeak? I clear it with a forced cough but feel my throat go even drier with each attempt to clear it.

I put my bag down as the girls put theirs away.

Heading to the fridge, I open it for a Diet Coke, needing not only something to clear my throat but to give me a bit of caffeine. Something tells me I’m going to need the energy to keep up with the bouncing Lily. Sugar seems to last in her body for a full twenty-four hours after consuming it.

But as I pull the soda out, I also pull out the container next to it. The one with a sticky note on it and written in elegant block lettering.

Didn’t think these should go to waste. Maybe next time we can make our own.

I set the note aside just as the girls come into the kitchen and watch me pull the top off.

“Yay! Chocolate strawberries!” Lily reaches in and puts one into her mouth before I can tell her she’s had enough sugar.

Oh well. Kids only stay little for a while, and I’m not about to eat half a dozen snacks on my own.

“Where did they come from, Mommy?” Ivy pulls hers out and licks the chocolate, preferring to have it separate before eating the strawberry.

“Leftovers from last night. Mr. Bobby said you told him I liked these, and he got them to make me feel better.” I say it simply, but I don’t miss the side looks they give each other before breaking out into a fit of giggles.

“What?”

They shake their heads but keep giggling.

“Oh, it’s like that, huh?” I walk around the counter and tickle their sides, and they scream with glee before running away.

“Wash up and change out of your uniforms, babies.” I raise my voice as they dart into their room and shut their door.

I shake my head as I go back to the kitchen, enjoying the laughter coming out of their side of the apartment. Taking a strawberry, I bite into it and close my eyes to savor the taste. These might not be homemade, but they are divine. No doubt they cost a pretty penny, too, if I know anything about Bobby—and by extension Marco, who shops for him.

Pulling out my phone, I open a text, as I know Bobby is busy.

Thank you for my sweet treat. I send a picture of the container with three chocolates gone so he knows what I mean.

I’d say save me some, but I have a feeling little fingers have already claimed most of them.

Not yet, but they will. I smile just thinking about it.

Have to head into a meeting. I’ll call you soon.

My heart flutters that he took the time to let me know he’s ending the texting for now. Trevor just stopped replying when he was done talking, never once letting me know we were done. Okay, bye.

Goodbye, Wildflower.