Cassius is late for work today. I pad out of the office, where I headed to get an early start on some filing that’s overdue, and find him in the twins’ room, cradling Luca in one arm and Lucie in the other. For a moment, I hesitate in the doorway, not wanting to interrupt. They look so peaceful, the twins both awake but silent, not complaining or crying for attention. They’re beaming up at Cassius, worshipful and happy, making quiet little gurgles of pleasure now and then as he coos to them.They look… natural. Like we’ve always had this. Our little family. Cassius looks every bit the doting father right now.I shake myself. This feels like dangerous territory. The sex is one thing—one spectacular, mind-blowing thing. But starting to think of him as a parent, a father to my kids, that’s a whole new leap of faith. I’d need to really know he was in, all in. I’ve handled breakups in the past, seen guys come and go after swearing up and down they’d be faithful. But I couldn’t put my child
Three missed calls. All since I got home last night. I stare at my cracked cell phone screen from the discomfort of my tiny, lumpy bed. It used to be fine, until I spent a few weeks sleeping on the comfortable, heavenly bed in Cassius’s room.My apartment used to feel warm enough, too, until I found myself missing the familiar sensation of his arm around my waist, his body snuggled up against mine.I squint through the morning gloom across the single bedroom at the twins’ crib. They’re still sleeping soundly, unaware that everything has changed. Unaware of my pain.But that’s good. This is the only way I can protect them from feeling the same kind of pain.The phone buzzes again in my hand. Him. Again. I tap Ignore, send it straight to voicemail, then hold down the power button until the phone shuts off. I can’t deal with this right now.Eventually, I’ll need to. I’ll have to decide if I can face him again. Take the job—only the job, not the life I once dared to think might come with
How could he, at a time like this?But he cups my face in his hand and turns me to face him, and I see genuine warmth and amusement in his eyes. “You’re wrong, Manila. It’s not what you think.”I pull away from him, tears springing to my eyes again. I can’t watch him laugh at me. Mock me for trusting him. “If I’m wrong, then explain it to me. Tell me why you lied, why you pretended to care about me, about the twins. Why did you lie and pretend you wanted more babies—you already have children with her, don’t you? You have a family with a woman I’ve never even heard of.”“Yes you have,” he whispers.My eyes widen. Is he actually admitting it? Unable to help myself, I look back at him.There’s a quiet, sincere seriousness in his gaze, one I can’t turn away from. “You’ve met her. You know who the mother of my children is.”“I never met the woman in that photo,” I snap. But he’s already shaking his head, half laughing, yet with a spark in his eye. Something bright that catches the light as
“I want you,” he whispers, his voice low with feeling now. “I want this family. Once I realized you were single, available… I was consumed with feelings, Manila. I love you.”I blink hard, a solid lump tightening in my throat.“But I was scared to tell you, afraid that you would hate me. For hiring you for false reasons, for keeping this from you. I thought you wouldn’t understand.”“Cassius. Stop.” I tilt my head forward to rest my forehead against his, our eyes still locked. “Of course I understand. I love you, too.”“I want everything, Manila. You, the twins, a life together.” He closes his eyes again, a crease of pain crossing his forehead. “I can’t have more children. I’m infertile now. If you want someone who can, if you want a man who can give you more, I understand. But I won’t ever give up on wanting you, and my children. You must accept that.”I pull him into a kiss before he can say anything else so stupid or insane. The kiss sears through me, the kind of kiss I feel all th
Lucie started crawling today. It was cute at first, and then we both got exhausted, chasing her all over the living room, making sure she didn’t get into too much trouble.By late afternoon, Luca had figured out how to wriggle his little butt after her, and that just became a whole new mess.So even though it’s only 7PM, we’re both cuddled up naked in bed in Cassius’s apartment, watching TV on the big-screen in his bedroom.Only when the news starts in with the weather—and the date—does it hit me.“What’s today’s date?” I ask him, my heart pounding, though I try not to let it show. I don’t want to excite him. Don’t want to get his hopes up, not if I’m wrong.Surely I’m wrong.“The fourth,” he says, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. “Why?”“No reason.” I snuggle back under his arm, and he leans his head against mine, sighing contentedly.“Have I mentioned that I love you?” he asks sleepily.“Not today.” I tilt my head up to smirk at him. “Why?”“I’ve lost the remote,” he a
Samantha“Happy Birthday, Sam!”I raised my red solo cup into the air and let out a wild laugh as my friends cheered for me.Today was proving to be my best birthday yet, hands down.My friends had planned a rager for me in the woods just outside our small town of Greenswood.A bonfire blazed, and several kegs had been tapped.I was feeling good and tipsy and happy as I danced to the music blaring from someone’s pick-up.I was eighteen at last. A woman! The future was mine for the taking, or some sentimental crap like that.Whatever. I didn’t have to think about that just yet. I just wanted to enjoy my party and forget about everything else.Smiling, I spun in place and screamed out the lyrics to the song that was playing.Suddenly, I noticed a familiar figure emerging from the surrounding trees.He was tall, with shaggy blonde hair and familiar golden eyes. Eyes that were just like mine. I came to a stop. It took a few moments for my vision to clear, but when it did, I let out a sque
SamanthaThey were huddled around one of the kegs, cups in hand, talking to each other, seemingly unaware of the girls hovering around and eyeing them with obvious interest.He looked so cool and at ease. I began to wonder if maybe I should tell him how I felt. Maybe Jessica was right…what better time would there ever be?Maybe I was drunker than I’d thought.Whatever. Alcohol might be just what I needed to gain the courage to talk to him.“Okay.” I nodded.Jessica appeared surprised. “Okay?”“Yeah!” I clapped my hands together, pumping myself up. “Yeah, I’m going to do it. You’re right! Why not? Why shouldn’t I tell him how I feel?”“Hell, yeah!” Jessica declared. “That’s my girl! What are you going to do, exactly?”I pondered that question a moment before saying, “I’m…not sure. I think I’ll probably just wing it?”Jessica nodded in approval. “Love it. Flawless. Now, get on over there and get your man.”She shoved me forward. After a few seconds of stumbling, I regained my balance an
SamanthaHe sounded suddenly nervous, his voice cracking at the end of his words.“What?” I felt a surge of panic. No, no! He was supposed to say yes. Did he think I was kidding? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. The way he’d been looking at me earlier… “Why not?”Ryan released a long, shaking breath before saying, “Look, Sam, I’m flattered, really, but you’re…you’re just a kid. Plus, you’re my best friend’s sister! There are some lines guys just don’t cross.”“You just told me I’d grown up.”He clenched his jaw, and his cheeks turned a slight tinge of pink.“Yes, I did,” he stammered. “Look, you’re a beautiful girl, but your brother…”I surged forward to stand directly in front of him. I reached up and clutched the front of his shirt.“Ryan, please,” I pleaded. “It’s the only thing I want.”He took hold of my shoulders but didn’t immediately push me away.His fingers curled into me, and he seemed to want to hang on tight to me.I watched his eyes as he stared down at me, and I c