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With the binder in hand, I nodded and followed her out of the studio. “Of course.”

Over her shoulder, Sarah looked at me. “Sorry to rush out, I just forgot I was on school pickup duty today.”

“That’s okay, family first.”

Once the door was locked, Sarah sped toward the parking lot. Even in the panic, she looked incredible. I couldn’t stop myself from looking at her plump ass as she jogged toward her minivan.

She stopped as she unlocked her car and turned to me. “Maybe we can set up a time to meet soon?”

Hesitating, I tried to visualize my schedule in my head. “I’ll be in Italy over the weekend and into early next week. But after that, I’d love to.”

Sarah smirked. “Perfect.”

Before I could say anything else, she disappeared into the van and was speeding off toward the school.

Left in the dust, I tried to settle my breathing. It was hard to tell what was the rush of being hustled out of the studio and what was just Sarah’s presence. Either way, I had to find a way to keep my cool. Even if she was one of the most stunning women I’d seen. I had hired her to do a job and I wasn’t sure that a boundary she wanted crossed.

12

SARAH

“Shit. Shit. Shit.”I muttered under my breath as I whipped the minivan into the school parking lot. Over an hour after dismissal, it was a desolate wasteland. All that remained were the cars of a few dedicated teachers who had stayed late – probably to keep an eye on my forgotten kids.

I pulled into the fire lane, left my hazards on, and leapt out of the car.

Just as I did, the front doors of the school opened. Stopping in my tracks, my shoulders dropped with relief.

“Mommy!” Ava yelled as she saw me, breaking off from her dad. Her little feet pattered toward me, smacking the sidewalk. Without any regard for her speed or force, she collided into me with a hug.

I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry I was late, honey.”

Ava shrugged. “That’s okay, Mr. Finch let me play with the Legos in his room while we waited.”

“That sounds fun.” I gave her a pat on the head, smoothing the frizz of her hair. “Why don’t you ask Leila for help with your car seat?”

Jason and Leila stopped in front of me just as the words left my lips. Before she could take off after Ava, I gave Leila a hug.

As Derek trudged up behind Jason, I searched for his eyes. “Hey, hon. Sorry I’m late.”

He shrugged, staring at his feet. Under his breath, he murmured, “It’s fine.”

Brushing past me, Derek loaded himself into the car. I sighed as I looked at Jason, who stood in front of me with an innocent smile. Even now, as all the romantic feelings from our marriage evaporated, I could see why I found him so charming for all those years.

“I’m sor–” I started.

“Don’t be.” He winked. “It’s the benefit of both of us living so close. What happened?”

My mouth opened to speak, but words didn’t quite come out. Nothing had “happened” so to speak. But it wasn't like me to get so caught up with clients and vendors. I wasn't sure how the time had escaped me, and I especially wasn't sure how to explain it to my ex-husband.

“I was held up in a couple meetings. It won’t happen again.” I sighed.

Jason waved me off. “It can happen again, they’re fine.”

Turning to look at the minivan, Ava and Leila had gotten themselves into their seats. In the front, Derek sat staring at the dashboard with crossed arms.

My eyebrow raised. “Are they?”

“He’s been struggling with all of it. It’s not about either of us.” Jason met my eyes. “He just hates change.”