Page 38 of Chasing his Ex

But it’s as though he knows, and his arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me to him, planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Thank you,” he whispers. “And sorry about my mother bringing up yours.”

I lean into him, putting my head on his shoulder at the same moment his mother turns and looks at us. The smile on her face is the highlight of the night; we can really pull off being a happy family in front of her.

But did she always know?

“I’d like to spend more time with Emmy, if I can. I’m going to stay with Gaston in the London apartment.” Emily turns as she shows me to the bedroom for Emmy to sleep. I follow Finn with an overnight bag. He lays her on the bed.

“Of course,” I say. “I’d love that and she will, too.”

Finn squeezes my shoulder.

“Maybe when you two eventually get married, she can stay with us when you go on...”

“Mom, can we get Emmy used to the family first?” Finn butts in.

“Yes, of course, I’m sorry ... It’s just ...”

“Once she is comfortable, I’ll let her stay. I can see how much Emmy loves you already. I’m sure that day won’t be too far away,” I say.

Finn watches everything I do to get Emmy into bed, making mental notes of what to do when he eventually gets to have her for a sleepover. “Normally she has a bath,” I say, ensuring he’s aware of her normal bedtime procedure.

Finn nods and leans down to kiss Emmy on her forehead.

“Everything okay,” Finn’s mom says as she nudges her head into Finn’s bedroom. “Emmy still asleep.”

I nod as she walks to us. Her hand rubs over Finn’s back, and he leaves the room as though she wills him.

Emily comes over and stands next to me. “You’ve done a good job with her. She is a lovely little girl.”

I laugh. “She thinks she is a big girl. Don’t let her hear you say that. Maybe she is growing up too quickly.”

“She’s fine.” Emily says, as though she can hear the thoughts going through my head. “You’re a good mom.”

Tears spring to my eyes at that. “Thank you,” I say. “I’m sure I could be better.”

“No, thank you for giving my son a chance. I know it can’t have been easy to give up the life you were going to have.”

I chew on my inner cheek. Do they have many conversations about the life Jameson offered me? Do they know I’d turned him down?

“I’ll let you get some sleep and see you in the morning.”

Emily brushes a soft hand over Emmy’s cheek and takes her in for a few moments. I catch my breath. Luckily, she doesn’t hear when she turns and leaves the little bedroom.

“I feel awful, lying to your mom about us,” I say, closing the door quietly and opening up my overnight bag and taking out my cotton plaid patterned pajamas.

Finn’s eyes raise seeing my pajamas, mine do the same seeing him in only a pair of boxers.

“It’s pretend, for your mom’s sake. I’m sure she’ll appreciate me walking around in pajamas and not in underwear.”

I turn my back to Finn and strategically dress. But as I turn around, he tilts his head, looking me up and down, and smiles in a way that will get me into trouble as his eyes morph from curious to hungry. “You still look delicious.”

I shake my head, and a roguish grin is his only response.

I climb into the bed and get under the covers.

“Goodnight,” he says, switching off the lamp on his side of the bed.

I blink my eyes open. The dark heightens each of our breaths. My heart beats loudly, and I’m sure he can hear each pound.

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