carefully observed his mother, who had just walked in. He smoothly pulled out a chair for her, s

same serious expression that made him look like a mini-adult.

ys had a way of getting to t

in. "I actually borrowed a plane from a friend a

both amazed and doubtful at the same time, as he tried to wrap his

idding, sweetheart. My boss helped me fly back early." She winked at him, enjo

y but didn't argue. Even as brilliant as he was, Mom's little jokes always got t

hadn't been with them nearly enough, but here they were-so considerate, so caring. After the cozy dinner, she de

both kids looked up,

ally like wearing new clothes any

old us you work really hard to make money for us while

ars. These kids were so smart and caring, and even though they were so young, they understood things

ubted her and left the children at the appraisal center. She couldn't rea

o make sure you didn't spend money too easily. Don't worry about me-I have en

ooking skeptical, still

red her with a nod. "When

g out a few adorable dresses for Kaia, they made their way over to the boys' section. Ella's eyes sparkled as she spotted a smart little suit dis

this suit! Can y

shiver down her spine, and

Lucas, looking just as infuriatingly composed as ever, as if h

rd him say to the boy with a dismiss

deep breath and whispered to her kids, "Mommy may have dropped he

harp eyes traveled from Lucas to his son and back, and a faint frown appeared on his small,

at little boy! He l

cally cringe

ly, Lucas had already spotted her. "Miss Kane?"

ing to disappear into the crowd, b

re you going to pretend not to know me? Last I c

r two kids looked up at her with curious expression

n fly a plane?

terious "friend" his mother had mentioned? But why did she seem

ping with forced politeness. "Mr. Lucas! Fancy meeting you he

le didn't reach his eyes. "

the boy's face as if looking for something familiar. Kaia met his gaze calmly, but af

I didn't realize you had two kid

smug tone. "And I didn't realize Mr.

k right off his face

"Oh, you know... magazines. Your

childhood sweetheart on every cover, romanticizing their "decade-lo

h tabloid gossip instead of doing real r

er ID and seemed to hesitate. "Theo," he said to his son, "I have to take

dropped. Thi

y disappeared with his phone, leaving

tement barely contained. "Wow,

d, his eyes wide with a mischievous spark

a bottle of water,

.Both Amy and her son