Page 44 of Unexpected

“That sounds fun. I love the aquarium.” I picked a blueberry off a plate and popped it into my mouth.

“You should join us,” Preston said.

I glanced at my phone, which was already blowing up with notifications.

“Yeah, Mommy. Please! Please!” Sophia chimed in. “It would be so much fun. The three of us could go together.”

The idea was tempting, but still… I had clients I needed to call, agents to check in with, houses to follow up on.

“When was the last time you took a day off?” Preston asked. “Like really took the day off?”

I stopped to think about it, and I honestly wasn’t sure. LA was a vibrant city, a busy city, and real estate was a fast-paced industry. There was a lot of competition, and you had to be on top of your game.

“Well, I think that answers my question,” Preston said.

“Please, Mom. You’ve been so busy lately. Can’t you just take part of the day?”

I considered it, scrolled through my calendar. “I mean, it is technically my Friday,” I said, trying to justify it to myself. “So, maybe—”

Before I could finish my sentence, Sophia had wrapped herself around me like a spider monkey. I was positive I’d pay for this later, but at the moment, all I could think was that it would be worth it. It would be worth it to spend the day with my daughter.

I hugged her back and laughed. “All right, well, I guess I’ll go shower so we can go to the aquarium.”

“Yay! Yay! Yay!” Sophia danced around the kitchen. Preston leaned his hip against the counter, watching her with a doting grin.

We spent the day exploring the aquarium, and it was perfect. I’d barely looked at my phone, and Sophia seemed to love spending time with both Preston and me. And Preston was great with her. He made me wonder if this was what it was like to have a partner, to have someone to co-parent with. Something I’d certainly never had with Cal.

After dinner, when we were putting away the dishes, Sophia said, “Time for family movie night.”

“Well, I’ll, uh, leave you to it.” Preston turned, heading for the pool house.

I didn’t want him to leave, but I wasn’t sure how Sophia would feel about him watching movies with us. Typically, it had been a tradition for just the two of us. Not even Gabby had been invited.

“You can’t leave now,” Sophia said to Preston. “Please stay for the movies. Pretty please.” She looked up at him with her pouty lips and big blue eyes.

“Are you sure?” He glanced to me for approval. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense,” I said. “As long as you’re okay spendingwhat should beyour night off watchingAnnie.” I shrugged.

His eyes lit up. “I’d love to.”

“Okay.” Sophia turned, assessing the living room with the eye of a general preparing for battle. “Mom, you make the popcorn. Preston, drinks. I’ll set up the pillows.”

I laughed, ruffling her hair as I headed toward the kitchen. Sophia switched on the TV, and I could hear a commercial playing in the background.

I stepped into the pantry for popcorn, and a moment later, Preston’s hands were on my hips, spinning me to face him.

My eyes went wide. “What are you doing?”

“Something I’ve been dying to do all day.” He slanted his lips over mine, his touch demanding, punishing even.

My body instantly responded, desire washing over me. I’d kept it at bay throughout the day, but it was always there, humming beneath the surface. And now, I wasn’t sure I could smother it again so easily.

“Better get the popcorn going beforesomeonecomes to investigate.” He gave me one more peck on the lips.

I stared at him for a moment, dazed. Finally, I shook my head to clear it and emerged from the pantry, popcorn in hand. I placed it in the microwave and pressedStart.

“Sophia sure does take her family movie nights seriously,” he teased, mimicking her posture and gestures from earlier.