Page 58 of Filthy Rich Temptation

I laugh. Really laugh. ‘Maybe you don’t need the extra carbs after all… or the extra juice,’ I say as she rugby tackles my legs. For a second, I fear a full-on coffee-and-cake catastrophe, but Theo – ever my knight – is already there, sweeping in to take the lot.

‘Yours is the coffee on my right,’ I say, lifting Lottie into my arms. ‘Flat white, okay?’

‘Spot on,’ he says, heading for the kitchen.

‘Ew, Mummy!’ Lottie wrinkles her nose and pushes away. ‘You’re all soggy!’

I grimace. Faced with Theo, I hadn’t even thought about how I must look. I glance at the hallway mirror – blonde hair dark with rain, strands stuck to my cheeks, skin damp and flushed.Drowned ratjust about covers it.

‘I should shower,’ I say, popping Lottie back on her feet. ‘I feel like a soggy gym sock.’

‘Nonsense,’ he chuckles back. ‘Come get your coffee while it’s hot…’

I glance down the hall towards our quarters, but Lottie’s already grabbing my hand, tugging me towards the kitchen. ‘Come on, Mummy.’

‘Yes, boss,’ I say, letting her lead the way. What can it hurt? He’s seen me now. He’s also seen me looking a whole lot worse.

And speaking of things looking worse…

My gaze drifts over the living area, taking in the open books, scattered toys, and cushions tossed across the floor before settling on the kitchen table, where his work is spread out alongside Lottie’s craft supplies. Glitter and toast crumbs coat the lot.

It’s a mess. A genuine mess.

But the good kind of mess. The kind that shows this place is lived in.

Less museum, more home.

‘What’s this?’

I turn to find Theo sipping his coffee as he studies the leaflet I picked up.

‘It’s a new soft play area that’s opened up nearby. Looks like it’ll be great for Lottie. There were a couple of mums in Becca’s talking about heading there this aft…’ I nip my lip. ‘They asked if I wanted to come along.’

‘They did?’ His brows arch as his eyes meet mine. ‘How do you feel about that?’

I pick up my coffee, trying to act cool. ‘With the weather like this, the park’s a washout. So I figured, yeah, why not?’ I shrug. ‘Might be good for both of us.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’

I almost choke mid-sip. Theo? In a soft play centre? I can’t imagine him wanting to do anything less. ‘Don’t be daft. You’ve got work. We’ll be fine.’

I say it easily. Lightly. But the moment the words leave my mouth, their truth settles inside me. Wewillbe fine. Itwillbe fun. And it will beus. Just Lottie and me. As it should be. As it needs to be.

Theo has his life to return to, and we need to start building our own, even if the temptation to fold the two together is sweeter than anything on display at Becca’s.

He watches me for a second longer, then smiles. ‘Good. That’s… good.’

* * *

Theo

Hours later, I watch the elevator doors slide closed on their cheerful chatter.

Lottie’s been buzzing since she clapped eyes on the leaflet, nagging and nagging to leave. Drawn in by the bright colours, smiling kids, and the promise of adventure – all the bouncing, sliding, climbing she could ever wish for.

And beneath Sadie’s nerves, I can see she’s excited too. About making friends, socialising again, moving on with her life… taking real steps forward.

I told her it was good, and it is. Huge, even.