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With a hefty sigh, Izzy turns back to me and crosses her arms. “Well, I don’t suppose I should have expected anything less with how well I know your mother.”

“It would be wise to be wary.” I smirk at how Mom’s spine straightens on the other side of my son.

Her elegant fingers brush through his hair affectionately. “A leopard changes her spots for no one, baby.”

I share a knowing look with Izzy and nod to her. “Go on and tell me about what you’re working on.”

As it turns out, Izzy is not just Mom’s former student. She’s a film producer, and she has a big new project she’s about to start. It’s a historical reenactment adapted into a modern reality TV style to appeal to new waves of educational content for youth. Something that will connect to teach.

And honestly, it sounds fascinating. I would have paid better attention in history if they’d done something fun like this.

“I love the sound of this. How far into it are you?” I’m chowing down on a mini meatball, trying not to laugh at how enthusiastic Noah is being about all of the little things on his plate. He keeps asking Mom,What’s that?

“Well, that’s the thing. We’ve just gotten funding, and I’m in need of a First Assistant Director and Set Manager. Among other things.”

I blink at her for a moment, wondering if I’m putting this all together right. “What kind of other things?”

“Help building a team, a set, hiring actors, the whole shebang. And I want you to help me. If you’re up for it.” Izzy pins me with her gaze for a long few seconds.

I wasn’t imagining things.Okay. “Why me?”

She shrugs. “Like I said, I’m impressed by the video you put out. The attention to story and authenticity and character arcs in such a short time frame. And I hear you put it together in two days. That’s the kind of talent I want on my team, helping me run my team.”

I laugh—part bewilderment and part relief.

“It sounds like fun, but I do have to warn you, I am pregnant. That means no crazy schedule.”

“I can accommodate that. Are you good at delegating?”

“I am. And you say you need to build the entire team? From scratch?”

Izzy lets a slow grin form on her face. “I do.”

“So you have room for another expert.” I lean in and tell her about Orion. Even if he doesn’t lose his job, I’m not sure he’s comfortable at the university anymore. So I lay down his work, his connection to Dickie Hernandez—it’s never bad to drop a big name when you’re asking a favor.

Immediately, I can tell she’s on board. “Let’s meet in a week to discuss further. When the men are not so busy. I want to see if they hold up in person.”

It’s a plan.

I can’t tamp down my excitement and have to call Orion. Izzy laughs as I do it right at the table. If she’s bluffing me, she'd better call it now.

Because when he picks up the phone, the first thing I say is, “I’ve got good news.”

36

SOFIA

With the semester finally over, we’ve all settled at Braxton’s place. He and Noah made a late lunch, and now Birdie and Noah are off playing.

I lean against Brax’s big side, my head pillowed on his shoulder as a movie plays on his big screen TV. I’m drifting in and out as Cedric rubs my calves, ankles, and feet. For once, I haven’t been on my feet all day, but I’m not complaining.

Although if he were to ask, I’d take those hands on my lower back. Maybe on my breasts, too. They’re swollen and aching from the hormone fluctuations, but I’m sure they'll stay achy after these three get their hands and mouths on them.

The thought has me wriggling. Braxton gives me a small, soft smile, but Cedric’s hands tighten around my ankle, the dark look in those Mediterranean eyes promising me all sorts of delights.

We might have a lot more things to figure out together. How the four of us fit together long-term. Where we’re all going to sleep, for one, but we have the more important things figured out. Like how we all want to make this work.

No one’s running for the hills.