Page 116 of A Convenient Secret

I chuckle. “Yeah, you definitely did. Are they sleeping?”

“Yes, and I’m exhausted and vibrating with sugar at the same time.” He takes away my glass and sips.

“I’m tired, too. It was an eventful day. I haven’t felt lonely since I started living here.” I take the drink back.

“Kids will do that.” He sighs, his elbow touching mine.

“I like it. I like living here with you. It scares me how quickly it’s started feeling like home,” I confess.

He watches me for a moment, a content almost-smile lingering on his lips.

“Earlier tonight with Zoya, how did you know when they started walking?” He leans in and kisses my shoulder.

“The albums beside the pictures in the dining room—there is one with their firsts. Who made it?”

“My mother. I’m glad you were there when I talked to her. Sometimes I’m so focused on things to do that I forget how to connect with them.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You made Zach very happy today, and you spoiled them at that ice cream parlor. I wonder, who even are you lately? So reckless and spontaneous.” I poke him with my elbow, grinning.

“I can show you reckless and spontaneous and bend you over this banister.” Delicious darkness laces his voice.

“Been there, done that,” I tease, and he slaps my ass.

Our eyes lock. “We’re a good team,” Declan says.

“We are.” The grin I’ve been carrying lately may split my face.

His expression grows serious, and he straightens. I follow, turning to face him. Declan tucks a strand behind my ear. “We need to tell the kids.”

“That we’re a good team? I think they know.”

“About us.”

And my grin falters. We’re a good team, but the admission is tainted. With my secret. With our secret. With the strange circumstances of this union.

“Are you sure?” I ask stupidly, because a part of mehopes he will wave his hand and say he was just kidding.

“Yes. I want everyone to know.”

Jesus. My heart hammers loudly, drowning the rest of the city noise. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“Why not? I can’t pretend with you, Lily. I cannot lie to my children that you’re just my nanny—”

“But I am your nanny.”

“That’s not the point. I’m not saying it’s without complications, but you are way more than my nanny. You can’t deny that.”

It breaks my heart how much trust he has in me. It hurts that I can’t be completely honest with him.

I need to tell him who I am, but I don’t want all of that to come crashing down on this blissful bubble. Not yet. I need to protect the three of them. Not until I’m sure it’s safe.

“Jesus, Declan, you pretended I didn’t exist for months. I’m sure you can do a little more pretending.”

He frowns. “I thought we were on the same page.” The disappointment in his voice stabs me in my chest.

“What is it you want to tell them, Declan? That we’re dating? Or that we’re married?” I challenge him, because offense is my best defense.

He bows his head. “We will tell themthat we’re dating.”