Page 98 of Sweet Redemption

I drop a paper plate full of cut up chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and syrup in front of him, and he drops her hand and grabs a fistful of pancakes.

“Fork,” I warn him, and he pouts and picks up his blue plastic fork.

“We have to use forks,” he tells Serena, and I’m a little shocked because Bodhi isn’t a big talker most of the time. He’s choosey about who he talks to. Strangers aren’t his favorite, and he typically needs a little more time to warm up to someone.

Serena leans back and breathes in her coffee. “We had to use forks in my house too. Dads are sticklers for good manners. But that just means they’re good dads.”

Man, I hope she’s right. And when she looks up at me, silently asking for my approval, I give it, thinking maybe this won’t be so bad.

A few minutes later, we’re sitting at the table, watching as Bodhi inhales his breakfast like it’s the first time he’s eaten in days.

“I swear I’ve fed him before,” I tell Serena when I cut up another pancake for him and push it onto his plate.

She lifts her coffee cup and smiles. “Well, I didn’t think you starved him.” Serena ignores the phone she’s set on the table as it vibrates, too busy watching Bodhi as he picks up a banana slice. “Are you sure this is okay?” Her eyes flick to mine. “Me, here . . . with both of you?”

“Yeah, princess. It’s more than okay.”

“What are you a princess of?” Bodhi asks, and I’m not sure what makes me smile more—his question or her laughter.

“She’s the princess of Kroydon Hills,” I tell him and love the pretty flush that creeps up on her cheeks.

“Your phone’s moving,” Bodhi tells her, and she flips it over and sighs.

“It’s my dad.”

“Is he a king?” my kid asks in the way only a kid can.

“Umm.” She smiles and shakes her head. “Sort of.”

“Everything okay?” I ask when she gets quiet.

“I think so. It looks like I’m meeting with King Corp. on Monday to discuss the Emerald City FC.” She picks up her plate and mine and walks over to the sink.

“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her as I move behind her, caging her in. My lips skim her shoulder as she drops her head, giving me better access. “I’ll just throw them in the dishwasher,” I tell her, feeling like she’s about to bolt. “You want to spend the day with us? I promised Bodhi I’d take him to the zoo before the season starts Tuesday.”

“I can’t, Hendrix. I’ve got more work to do before that meeting. I should really get home.”

“You’re running,” I say softly because if I know this woman as well as I think I do, I know that’s her MO. “Don’t, Serena. Stay here with us today. Get to know Bodhi.”

“I will, Hendrix.” She spins in my arms to face me, her turquoise eyes begging me to understand. “But it’s not going to happen all in one day. I need time. One night doesn’t magically fix everything. We still have so much to work through.” She presses up on her toes and kisses my cheek. “But it’s a start.”

“Promise me you’re not running.” I cup the back of her head, holding her gaze. “Not this time.”

“I’m not running. I’ve got work to do and hopefully a job to finally be officially rid of.” She nibbles her lip and bats her lashes. “Any chance you have a pair of pants I can wear home?”

“Ones that will fit?” I laugh. “Probably not. But I could run next door to Grace’s⁠—”

“No,” she stops me, horrified. “Absolutely not. I know you’re done hiding, but maybe let’s roll the whole us thing out to your family slowly.”

“Too late.” I cringe, thinking about the messages from this morning.

“What?” she squeaks, and Bodhi whips around in his booster seat.

“I’m done. Can I watch TV now?” He holds his syrupy, whipped-cream-and-chocolate-covered fingers up, basically asking for a washcloth, and I laugh. Because seriously, some days I wonder how this is my life.

I grab a washcloth and clean him up, then let him turn the TV on before turning back to Serena, who’s glaring fucking daggers my way.

With her delicate hands planted on her hips, she looks less than thrilled. “What do you mean too late, Hendrix?”