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An hour later, we are sitting in the food court, eating burgers and milkshakes. Of course, the two girls are sitting together, and the two of us are on the other side. I rub my leg against Lux’s, and she sometimes makes it like she’s looking for something and runs her hand down mine.

“Lux, what is your next video about?” Ayla asks.

“The people from Feeding Charm City are coming to show me how to cook some recipes. We are donating the proceeds from the viewing to the foundation. Lauren is sponsoring with Autumn Lush.”

Bron laughs. “It’s going to be great. Daddy is doing something with them too.”

“Papi, you have to participate.”

“What can I do? Donate? I’ll definitely do that.”

Lux shakes her head. “Actually, I think there’s probably something you can do at their location. It’s better if you donate your services. They can use that more, and they’ll publicize you.”

“I wouldn’t feel right profiting.”

“You’re not profiting, Papi. They like to give credit, and that’s to your benefit.”

Bron takes a sip of her milkshake. “Yeah, you did a good deed, and it’s like a side benefit.”

Lux puts her hand on my forearm. “Sometimes these things are symbiotic. And the more you help and get clients, the more you can continue lending a hand.”

I look at her hand, loving the feel of it, but she yanks it away.

“Sorry.”

“No need.” And I almost reach for her hand again but remember the teens. They’re not even looking at us. They’re looking at something on their phones. “You guys are teaching me a lot.”

Bron looks up and smiles. “This is a good photo of us.”

She turns her phone around, and it’s the photo the dumb kid took of us when we got out. I look at Lux, and she’s smiling. She held my hand behind the girls’ backs. She also has her other hand on Ayla’s shoulder. I like that they get along so well.

Ayla can be shy with people she doesn’t know, but she is comfortable with Lux. I just need to see this through some more.

“Send me that photo, please,” Lux asks Bron.

“Me too,” I say.

I want a chance to talk to her and think it will have to wait until later in the week, but the doors of opportunity open when the girls stand up to go to the bathroom.

As they disappear around the corner, I turn to Lux. “We haven’t had much time to talk this week.”

She nods. “We’ve both been busy.”

“True. I just wondered if there wasn’t anything more.”

“You mean me staying away from you like how you ran off the other night?”

Damn. She doesn’t mince words.

“Yeah. I didn’t mean to make things awkward. I just…”

“Got scared?” she asks.

“It’s a big step. For me.”

Her eyes go warm. “I know.”

“But it still upset you. I’m sorry about that. That’s the last thing I want.”