Page 77 of Under Ground

“Then you wouldn’t have Casey. Or me.”

“I love both of you, but that doesn’t make me feel much better.”

He kisses my temple. “You wouldn’t have hurt her on purpose. I know you. Maybe better than you think.”

My phone buzzes.

Gareth: I’ve put your final pay through. You don’t need to work out your notice. Take care.

Take care?

I was hoping that he wouldn’t cause me trouble, but this is weird considering his recent behaviour. I’m not sure whether to be grateful or still be wary.

“What’s going on?” Alex brushes his hand down my back.

“Apparently, my final pay has gone into the bank. And I don’t have to work the next two weeks.”

Alex presses a kiss to my temple. “That’s great.”

“I still don’t trust Gareth.” I take my focus off my phone and shift it to him.

“Well, as soon as we can get everything in order, we can get out of here and forget he even exists.” He wraps his arms around my waist. “It’s all about us now, Lana. You, me, Casey.”

My heart pounds.

“And before we’re due to get Casey from day care, I can think of a few other things I’d like to do with you.”

I slide my arms around his neck. “Like what?”

“Well, your man just unloaded the dishwasher and washed what was left in the sink, so I think I’m due some kind of reward.”

And then he kisses me and I could almost forget the shit show this morning has turned into.

My man.

* * *

After dinner, Alex disappears to get ready for an evening out. He’s attending the wrap party for the film, and while we could have gone with him, it’s a weeknight and I hadn’t planned to have no work in the morning.

When he returns from the bathroom, he nuzzles my neck while I sit on the couch, sketching more pictures of Casey.

“I won’t be late. I’ll just have a couple of drinks and then be home again.”

Home.

Him saying the word is enough to bring a smile to my face.

He kisses me softly. “I know today was hard, but this is just the start for us. I want to make all your dreams come true.”

“As long as we’re all together—that’s all I need.”

He’s not gone long when I look up at a tap on the door.

Casey’s eyes grow wide. “Is that Daddy?”

I laugh. “He’s got a key. And he won’t be back until after you’re asleep.”

She pouts.