Page 62 of A Convenient Secret

He snorts. “Is the Earthturning?”

For the first time since my brother settled down, a pang of envy rakes through me. Like he has something I will never have. Something I didn’t even know I may still want.

“Zach, you committed to your team, and when you skip the practice, you let them down.”

We sit on his bed, me still in my tux, arriving from the stupid function at ten. I bailed on the event pretty much after the first hour.

Corm laughed at me, barely stopping himself from making a nanny comment.

Xander held his tongue this time. There was business to be dealt with and people to schmooze, but I needed to be back home.

I found Zach still playing with his airplane.

He nods, not looking at me. “I won’t do it again.”

Sighing, I put my arm on his shoulder. “I understand Lily allowed you to skip the practice—”

“Don’t be mad at her. She told me I need to talk to you.”

As if I could be mad at Lily. And yet I’m agitated by her presence, constantly. “And she was right. So you don’t feel like playing anymore?”

He leans forward, bracing himself with his elbowson his thighs. After what feels like half an hour of silent deliberation, he sighs. “I’ll play, Dad. I just didn’t feel like it today. I’m sorry.”

“Zach, sometimes I don’t feel like doing something. Life is full of instances when we would rather skip things, but we don’t always have the luxury to do so.”

“Okay.”

“When you commit to something, people rely on you, buddy. You need to rise to the responsibility, respect their time, and not let them down.”

He nods. “Can I play now?”

I ruffle his hair. “It’s a school night. You should get some rest.”

Helping him to climb under his covers, I kiss his forehead. “Good night.”

“I love you, Dad.”

Those words break and mend my heart every single time. “I love you, too, buddy.”

By the time I get next door, Zoya is fast asleep. I watch her for a moment before I leave the room, yanking my tie loose.

Movement to my right grabs my attention. Lily is coming up the stairs wearing pink pajama pants and an oversized hoodie. She looks like a college student in that getup, and my depraved cock awakens.

I glare at her like it’s her fault she stirs up the animal side of me.

“How was your date?” she asks.

“What?”

She rolls her eyes. She fucking rolls her eyes at me. “Never mind.”

“Has Zoya made up a date again?” I groan.

My daughter watched some stupid—and certainly age-inappropriate—romantic comedy at Saar’s and decided a date would make me happy.

“Good night.” Lily turns toward her room.

“Can we talk?” Without waiting, I start toward my office.