Page 125 of Please Save Me

Once the other two were out of ear shot, I turned my attention to him.

“Seriously?” I whispered. “This is supposed to be punishment! You’re supposed to be sorry!”

“And I am sorry. But, I also, my whole body hurts and I’m fucking freezing.”

“I don’t care.” And I didn’t. Lucian was probably just a little under the weather and trying to use it to get out of this.

“I know you don’t–” Lucian stopped himself mid snap to look over his shoulder. Mason had hoisted Jasper onto the counter, where he sat, cracking eggs into the bowl.

Obviously, I’d need to yell at her too. The kids werewaytoo heavy for her to be lifting. Lucian hesitated as he looked back, when he continued speaking his voice was much lower.

“You know what? Fuck it. Yeah. I’m a bad person, I stood Mason up, blah, blah, blah. But, Sophia, I feel like shit.”

“Good.” I humphed, crossing my arms. “Now, you got Mason involved. Go lay down, but this isn’t the end of your punishment.”

He nodded and went to kiss me, but I stopped him by placing my fingers to his lips. He needed to understand just how angry I was, that this wouldn’t be something that got swept under the rug.

Lucian’s eyes flashed with what looked to be regret as he turned and trudged off to his room. Just as he disappeared, Cameron started down the steps, holding a now dressed Juniper. I’d never been someone in a frilly pink dress so angry.

When he finally got to the kitchen he plopped her down on the ground.

“Mama, someone’s got somethin’ to say to you,” he said, and Mason actually looked over.

That was a new one, but it was kind of cute.

Juniper’s eyes remained fixed on the floor as she stomped over to Mason.

“Sorry.” Juni grumbled.

If it were me, I wouldn’t have accepted such an insincere apology from Juniper. But Mason didn’t seem to mind as she thanked the toddler and went back to cooking. Juniper asked if she could help too, and Mason got her set up at the counter with a cutting board and plastic knife so she could chop up some soft fruit.

With the chaos managed, and everyone else busy, I wasfinallyfree to press Cameron for more details. At least, I was until Sebastian also joined us.

His tall figure cast a long shadow down the steps, alerting us to his presence long before he stepped into the room. Once he was close enough, I noticed his newly dark hair was tousled with sleep. His blue eyes flickered around the room, eventually settling on me.

My stomach flipped in a way that was totally uncool to feel over someone I hadn’t even slept with.

“Good morning.” His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

A small chorus ofgood morningsgreeted him as he walked toward the coffee pot. He reached for a cup before filling it as he’d done a thousand times. But, today felt different.

He lifted the mug to his lips, taking a slow sip as he focused on me.

“I’m taking the kids to daycare today, right?” he asked once he finished.

“I… What?” Is that seriously the only reason he came down here?

“I picked them up last night and it looks like Lucky would rather go to bed than take care of his children,” he explained. “Plus, you both work from home,that means it’s safe to assume I’ll be the only one who’s out… So, I’m taking them to daycare, correct?”

Cameron and I shared a glance. Honestly, I was going to just drop the little monsters off on my way to the gym. But, who was I to tell Sebastian he couldn’t spend time with hisadorableniece and nephew? Just as I went to tell him as much, Cam answered for me.

“You’re right. I have a bit to do on the farm today, and we all know how the public reacts to Mae.” Cameron nudged me with his elbow as he spoke. “Soph was just talking about how she needed help with drop off today.”

No I absolutely wasnot, and I went to tell Sebastian that too… and that’s when I realized what Cameron was doing.

I’d been not so silently pining after Seb, but he and I never seemed to be alone. If we dropped the kids off, I could take him to get coffee after, and we could just talk like two completely rational adults.

Or at least, I thought we’d be able to talk. But as we sat in the cafe, the smell of fresh ground coffee beans wafting through the air. I had no idea what to say–which was a first for me.

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