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"Actually, I'd rather just go home. Can we all watch a movie together?" Jaime asks, his voice hopeful.
"Sure, but only if Nicole's up for it. You're welcome to take the rest of the night off, if you'd like," I say, turning to Nicole.
Nicole puts a finger to her chin, mimicking deep thought with an exaggerated "hmmm," while Jaime watches her expectantly.
"She's going to say yes," Jaime says confidently, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Yeah, you know me so well, don't you?" Nicole says, playfully tickling his stomach.
She looks up at me, her eyes soft and sincere. "Let's go home," she says, and the words feel like a promise, one that I desperately want to believe in. The look she gives me confirms it. I know now that I want her to be home for me and Jaime, and for us to be hers.
At home, the atmosphere is light and warm, filled with the comfort of togetherness. We settle in the living room, Jaime curled up between us on the couch as the movie begins. Despite the weight of the day's events, a sense of peace washes over me. As I watch Jaime laugh at the screen, I realize how much I've changed—how much we've all changed. We're not perfect, but we're making it work, and that's what matters.
As the movie plays, I glance at Nicole more often than at the screen. There's something about how she's settled in, her arm draped casually over the back of the couch, that feels so natural and right. My mind drifts to thoughts of what this could be—what we could be—if we let it.
Unexpectedly, Nicole leans in closer, her voice low and teasing. "You know, Shane, you're pretty good at this whole family thing," she says, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Only because I have the best teachers," I reply, my voice matching her tone. The warmth between us feels electric, and for a moment, everything else fades away.
We share a smile, the kind that lingers longer than it should, and I feel a flicker of hope that maybe—just maybe—this could be something real.
But just as quickly, Nicole pulls back, the moment slipping away like sand through my fingers. Her gaze drops to her hands, and she clears her throat, the playful ease from before now replaced with something more guarded.
I'm left wondering, once again, if this could ever be more than just a passing thought. Can we really make this work, or is it all just wishful thinking? The questions swirl in my mind, but for now, they remain unanswered.
As the credits roll on the movie, Jaime's eyelids grow heavy, and soon he's fast asleep between us. Nicole carefully scoops him up, cradling him against her chest as she carries him to bed. I watch her, my heart full but my mind still clouded with uncertainty.
Chapter 10
Nicole
Despite the fight and fracture, Jaime returned to school after just two days. Sitting on my terrace balcony, I savor a peaceful moment, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air as I gaze out at the sparkling pool and lush rear garden. The sitting area, though small, exudes comfort. The couch is so cozy that it's hard to believe it's meant for the outdoors, and the small glass table is the perfect spot for a cozy, even if lonely, morning breakfast. I breathe in the fresh air and watch the pool's surface ripple at each gust of the morning breeze. It's as if it's inviting me. It's lovely, tranquil, and peaceful... until my phone begins to vibrate.
I gaze at the glowing screen.Annette.
I pick up. "Hey Anne, how's your morning?"
"Good. I've been reading up on the latest gossip about your billionaire bachelor daddy."
I chuckle. "What are you going on about?"
My phone dings with a message.
"Just sent it," Annette says.
I put her on speakerphone to check the message. It's a link to a news article from an online site calledThe Daily Whisper. The title reads "A Peek Into the Life and Loves of Billionaire Shane Matthews."
"You find it?" she asks excitedly.
"Yeah," I reply.
"What do you think?"
"I haven't read it yet," I tease.
"Well, I have. Did you know he dated Balina Porter?" Annette asks with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"I don't even know who that is. And no, we don't talk about who we've dated."