Page 60 of Crystal Luna

“That I enjoy being with you, but that we’re still getting to know each other.”

The conversation lulled and Heath found comfort in running his hand through her hair. With the relaxing motion and her body at ease, it didn’t take much for Velora to fall asleep.

The next morning, a gentle knock woke them both.

“Daddy?” Mia’s soft voice came from behind the door.

Velora opened her eyes and looked to where Heath was already sitting up.

“I’m hungry,” Mia called.

With a chuckle, Heath pointed at the clock on his nightstand. “We slept in again.”

“Oh…” Velora floundered for something to say, but Heath didn’t seem bothered.

“She probably wants princess pancakes. Do you want me to make you some too?”

“I’ll try them,” she responded with a laugh.

He nodded and opened the door enough to slip out without letting Mia see into the room.

After getting dressed and taming her hair, she joined the three of them for breakfast. She was happy to see that Mia was excited to see her. Curtis as well, though neither of them asked very many questions. If Velora knew Heath at all, he’d asked them not to.

After breakfast the kitchen was cleaned, and lunches were packed. Then Velora met the demands of two little monsters and escorted them off to school.

Chapter Eighteen

Heath

Heath didn’t see Velora again until their weekly dinner. He hadn’t actively sought her out, but he wasn’t sure why. He paused what he was doing and sighed. Actually, he knew exactly why: he’d promised to do this on her terms. But ever since she’d spent the night—again—he’d been second guessing his decision to get close to her. It felt wrong.

He was afraid to disappoint Laureen. Though she felt good, Velora felt wrong in his arms. It wasn’t Velora’s fault, so Heath could only blame himself. Yes, it had been wonderful to hold her and feel someone else in his bed again, but it still didn’t feel right.

He let out a frustrated grunt, hating what he’d gotten himself into. Ending it would only hurt Velora, and she didn’t deserve that.

He heard the front door open, and the sound of Velora’s voice followed by each of the kids. He dreaded seeing her, worried she’d see the guilt painted across his face. Though when she stuck her head into the office, he couldn’t fight the smile that fought its way to the surface.

“Do you still have work to finish?”

“A little.”

“Join us when you’re ready.”

He nodded and watched as she was swiftly pulled away by both of his children. He stayed in his office, focused on work until Mia shouted that dinner was ready.

The topic of conversation was the artwork the children had created at school that day. The two rambled on through the meal, excitedly talking about their pieces. Afterwards, he began the routine of tucking them in while attempting to convince Velora that it wasn’t necessary to clean the kitchen—though she did it anyway. When he returned Velora was waiting for him in one of the armchairs.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked sweetly, though she couldn’t hide the panic behind her eyes.

Did he want to talk about it? He sat down, silently, not knowing how to begin.

“You don’t have to, but something is bothering you and I’m just offering before I head home.”

“You’re not staying?”

“I can if you want.”

“I do.”