Easton

Scarlett sat beside him, with Junior on the other side.

“You can sit here, Dad,” Junior said.

Easton offered a smile, and took the seat next to his son.

Scarlett looked at Liam in fear, but he simply smiled at her. All was good for him. He wasn’t going to take another man’s child away from him.

“Mom, this is so good.”

“I knew you’d love it, sweetheart.”

“Dad, Mom is totally learning how to go vegan. I saw this thing online and it was so scary, and I don’t want to ever hurt an animal again.”

“Vegan?” Easton looked up.

“Also, at school, we’re learning about the effects on the environment,” Junior said.

“Easton really cares about nature, and he came home and begged me to go vegan. Of course, I was nervous. This is a whole new step for me,” Scarlett said.

“You’re doing good though, kid. He’s been vegan for six months now,” Liam said.

“Liam refuses to give up his cheese and chocolate,” Junior said.

He chuckled. This was what their family could be like.

He just wished Scarlett wouldn’t be so nervous.

They got through dinner, and then Junior took Easton upstairs to show him the bedroom.

Liam grabbed the dishes, taking them into the kitchen.

“You really think this is a good idea?”

“It’s his dad.”

“I’ve not seen Easton in a long time. I don’t know. I feel you’re being too trusting.”

Liam wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. She didn’t fight him, and he used the advantage to kiss her again. This was one bonus of having company, he could make any excuse in the world to kiss and hold her.

“I wish I had your enthusiasm.”

“It takes a couple of extra years to get used to it.”

She placed her hands on his chest. Her fingers stroked over his heart.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” she said.

He tilted her head back with his finger beneath her chin. “You don’t have to do anything. Easton’s not going to try and take him away. I won’t let him, and we’re going to make this work. All three of us, will make this work in some way or another.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right.”

He kissed her again. “Let’s get these dishes done.”

“Yes, let’s.” She pulled out of his arms, and he watched her for a few seconds work the kitchen. This was her domain, and she did love to cook. Junior had given her a couple of new challenges with demanding to go vegan, not that it was an actual instruction.

Scarlett would do anything for the boy.

There was still a spark between Easton and Scarlett, even as she tried to deny it. The chemistry was still there, the fire sizzling between them.

He wasn’t going to lose Scarlett, but he might be able to find a way of bringing Easton closer to them.

Liam was used to getting his way. He didn’t falter or stop; he simply pursued his target until he got what he wanted. He stayed one step ahead of the game.

This was no different with Scarlett and Easton. He could make this work for all three of them. Grabbing the dish towel, be began to plot as Scarlett cleaned the dishes.

There would be some way of working this out. He was sure of it.

****

Easton didn’t want to leave. Seeing his son, chatting with him, playing with him—he’d missed so much, and now was the time to go.

Scarlett came out, following him to his car.

“This house is amazing,” he said.

“Liam’s owned it for years. He wants to make it a family home.”

“How come you and Liam haven’t had any kids of your own?” Easton asked.

She laughed. “Wow, you’re just coming right out and asking that?”

“Why not? You’re both incredible together. You know what you want. Why can’t I assume that one day you’d have more kids? You’re a great mother.”

“You’ve seen me for one night and you can make that assessment?”

“No, I make that assessment based on the three weeks we knew each other,” he said. Tonight had been a revelation for him. Meeting his son, playing with him, experiencing an overwhelming feeling of love and protection. He’d also realized the love between Scarlett and Liam was very much real. What he did notice was the way Liam kept watching him, assessing him. He didn’t know if it was because of his connection to Junior, or for some other reason.

“That was a long time ago, Easton. You shouldn’t live in the past. I’m not the same person as I was then. A lot of things have changed.”

“A lot of things change, but not the way you are. That will never change.”

“You always did have this belief I was some kind of saint.”

He chuckled. “Nah, I didn’t think you were a saint. Just kind, gentle.”

“I’m not a fairy tale character, Easton.”

“I know.”

“I want to ask you a question,” she said.