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“My mom warned me many, many times about men like him.”

“Especially since you spent so much time over with the swoon-worthy Casanovas.” Her brows waggle.

“Yes. She didn’t imagine that if I could fend off the Italians, the French, and the Spaniards, I could hold my own on American soil. But she didn’t prepare me for the Brazilian man I spent an entire semester with. How long he had to chip away at my armor. And he did just that. Took the guy months before I’d let him sit beside me, let alone kiss me.”

I make a pattern in the chocolate with a skewer. He’d been relentless. Not quite in the same way as Orion. Too much young vigor behind it, much more pressure.

“And once he kissed me, it was over. I fell off the deep end hard. It took a week from our first kiss before I let him in my bed. The romance was quiet. Or at least most of it was. My parents had no idea, but with my being an adult, they let me have that space.”

“Very understanding parents.”

I laugh. “Yeah. Good grandparents, too.”

And I’m about to put them through everything all over again.

Jordan leans over and squeezes my hand in support, knowing where my head is going.

“Anyway, the night we conceived was my birthday. He booked us a hotel room, bought champagne and flowers. Made a whole big night of it. And he showed me every move in his repertoire.”

My friend’s eyes light up. “Like what?”

“Well… there’s this thing he does with his tongue that made my toes curl. I’ve never felt anything else quite like it.” Although Cedric gets close. He’s more than talented with his mouth. Different techniques but advanced skills.

“He was older, you know. Had the experience to back it all up. My parents weren’t too happy when they found out, but they were understanding. I didn’t know I was pregnant until after he went home. I always knew he’d go home, but it wasn’t real until he was gone.”

My heart didn’t break when Marco left, only when I found out about Noah. He wouldn’t be able to grow up with his dad.

Jordan leans in. “I want more details about that night. I don't think I’ve ever had a night like what I’m picturing.”

“I have more for later. Don’t worry. What I’ve got to say isn’t appropriate for the public.”

She laughs nice and loud, getting a few looks.

And I spot Leann at a table behind us. Great. I wonder how much she heard.

By the look on her face, she’s heard more than I want her to. I think back over what I said and realize I never used his name. Shit. Even if I do now, she’ll think I’m covering.

It’s not hard to know she’s put Orion in Marco’s place.

Fuck.

28

BRAXTON

Every time I see Sofia with Birdie, my heart grows a little bigger. She’s begun taking much more space in my chest, a place I thought would remain empty after Bethany left. Somehow, Sofia fills every nook and cranny left behind and has smoothed the edges to make herself a home.

It’s made my daydreams much more vivid. Having her here during the day. In the mornings. Not just the dirty things we could do with an empty house, but the domestic things like waking up with her in my arms, breathing in her sweet scent first thing, getting to hold onto her for a blissful moment before life and responsibilities seep in.

Every little fantasy builds to something more—like the desire to move her and her son into my house. To make us a real family.

Fuck. I want it so badly that it aches.

I’ve fallen for her, so completely that I’m willing to share her if the other option is not having her at all. As long as she’s mine.

Birdie’s high giggle sounds above my head, tumbling down the stairs and through the open door to my office.

Shaking myself out of the thought of asking Sofia to spend the night, I focus on the paperwork in front of me. I’ve readit over twice. This legal document is full of boiler plate jargon that boils down to officially filing for divorce from Bethany for abandonment.