Page 58 of Rulebreaker

“They won’t love me less?” she eventually asks.

More squeezing in my chest, but I manage to keep my tone steady. “No, tater tot, they won’t love you less.”

A nod, teeth pressing into her bottom lip, believing me and yet still a bit uncertain.

“And you want to know the best thing?” I ask.

She nods again, less uncertain now.

“That you’ll have a whole new person to love—and she’s going to love you right back.”

I scoop her up into my arms, relieved when she giggles, when she throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight, her quiet “Thank you, Uncle Atlas” settling deep into my soul.

And then, because she’s gotten her comfort, I see about fixing the next part.

Making her a perfectly golden brown grilled cheese.

TWENTY

Lily

It’s notlike a pie to be sliced, sweetheart, each piece getting smaller and smaller with more people joining in. It’s…

My heart stutters against my ribcage, unfamiliar emotions swirling through my core.

How is this guy still single and how was I the lucky girl to swoop in and win him over?

He’s beautiful–inside and out–and stupidly wealthy. The money isn’t a draw for me but the rest is absolutely breathtaking.

Heis breathtaking.

And he’s been taking my breath away almost from the moment we met. Certainly from the first time he touched me.

When my second meeting today was canceled due to a family emergency, I opted to come back here, see if there was any news and spend another hour or two with Atlas before I have to head to the airport.

I didn’t anticipate finding Frankie sobbingbecause the new baby might not like her. Or Atlas coming to the rescue like the loving uncle he is. Except he’s more father than uncle–at least from where I’m sitting–and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be a wonderful father someday.

It also occurs to me that it’s past time for me to come clean. I need to explain before he finds out some other way. I’ve kept the details of my private life as tight-lipped as possible, but there are records of marriages. Early pictures of Stan and me together. Every so often someone asks me about him, and I avoid the personal by talking about his failing health. No one has asked me about our relationship in years but it could happen, and I don’t want it to be in front of Atlas.

“Hey, guys. I’m back.” I walk out to the patio and smile at the picture Atlas and Frankie make.

“Hey.” Atlas gently puts Frankie down before reaching for me. His lips are soft against mine. “What are you doing back here?”

“My second meeting was canceled, and I figured I’d check in here before getting my stuff from your place.”

“I’m glad you did.” He looks down as his phone buzzes and a grin spreads over his handsome face. “It’s a girl. Eight pounds ten ounces and twenty inches long. Mom and baby are doing great.”

“Oh, I’m so glad.” I glance down at Frankie and she seems deep in thought.

“How much is eight pounds?” she asks finally.

“It’s about how much one of your mom’s roasts weigh,” Atlas says.

Frankie scrunches her nose. “Those are heavy!”

“Well, the new baby is a whole person,” I say gently.

“Are we going to visit?” she asks.