Page 112 of The Hotel Room

The sound of footsteps behind them made Kate glance over her shoulder. James stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up. He smiled as he took in the scene, his gaze softening when it landed on Lily.

“What are my two girls up to?” he asked, stepping into the room.

“We’re turning this boring old room into the best nursery ever,” Lily said proudly, holding up the paint swatch for his inspection. “Do you like it?”

James knelt beside her, taking the swatch and pretending to scrutinize it with exaggerated seriousness. “Hmm…yep. This one’s a winner. You’ve got good taste, Lils.”

Lily giggled, clearly delighted by the praise.

Kate watched them, her heart aching in that complicated way it often did these days. Moments like this reminded her why she had fallen in love with him all those years ago.

He caught her gaze and smiled softly, as if sensing her thoughts. “Need an extra set of hands?” he asked, looking between her and Lily.

Kate raised an eyebrow. “You volunteering?”

“Of course,” he said, standing and rolling his shoulders as if gearing up for a major project. “What’s the plan?”

“We need to move those boxes to the garage,” Kate said, nodding toward the stack in the corner. “And then we can start painting.”

“On it,” James said, striding toward the boxes.

Lily followed him, chattering about her ideas for the room as he picked up the first box. He listened attentively, nodding along and asking questions that made her beam with excitement.

Watching them, Kate felt a pang of something bittersweet. They looked so natural together, so in sync. Despite everything, he was still her kids’ dad. It was hard to reconcile the man who had betrayed her with the man who was so good with their children.

Lily darted back to Kate’s side, her face flushed with excitement. “Mom, can I help paint the walls? Please?”

Kate smiled, brushing a hand over Lily’s hair. “Of course you can. But no climbing ladders.”

Lily groaned. “Fine. But you’re not allowed on the ladder either.”

James returned, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. “Bossy, isn’t she?” he said to Kate, winking at Lily to take the sting out of the comment.

Kate rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched into a smile despite herself. “She gets it from her dad.”

“Guilty,” James said with a laugh, grabbing another box.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a flurry of activity. By the time they finished clearing the room and prepping the walls for paint, Lily was leaning against James’s side, past ready for bedtime but still clutching the paint swatch in her hand.

“You’re such a big help, Lils,” James said softly, brushing a kiss over her hair.

Kate watched as James took Lily down the hall to her room. When he returned, his expression was softer, quieter, as if the weight of the day had settled over him.

“Thanks for helping today,” Kate said, her voice tentative.

He stepped closer, his hand resting lightly on the doorframe. “Anything for you. For both of you. And the baby.”

She nodded, her gaze dropping to the empty room. It was easier to focus on the nursery than on the tangled emotions she still hadn’t fully untangled.

“We’ll make it work,” James said, his voice steady. “Whatever you want, Kate, we’ll do it.”

She glanced up at him, her lips parting slightly in surprise. He looked at her like he meant it—like he’d do anything to make this right.

Kate’s throat tightened, and she turned back to the room, her hands smoothing over her belly. “Yeah,” she said softly. “We will.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

James

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