Page 62 of Promise Me This
Shit.
Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I take a cautious step in retreat. Just as I’m about to disappear into the hallway, Elody’s gaze locks on mine from across the space, and her face lights up.
“Kia!”
She rushes toward me at full speed, bare feet slapping against the floor, before throwing herself at my legs and winding her arms around my waist.
My gaze lifts from her smiling face, immediately registering the shift in the atmosphere. Two strangers stand in the living room, their raised brows and stiff posture making it clear they weren’t expecting to find me here.
The older woman’s attention drops to my bare legs before snapping back up, her mouth tightening just enough to send heat creeping up my neck. The man beside her remains silent, his gaze darting between Laiken and me with speculation.
Like I’m a booty call who overstayed her welcome.
“We didn’t realize you had company, Laiken,” the woman says coolly.
The judgment in her tone is unmistakable.
Awkwardness descends, and for the first time in months, I wish I’d woken up feeling sick. Then I wouldn’t have stumbled headfirst into whatever fresh hell this is.
“I’m sorry,” I manage, my gaze slicing to Laiken. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“It’s fine. You’re not intruding.”
With a handful of strides, he swallows up the distance between us, stopping close enough to feel the heat of his body at my side. His presence manages to steady me even as thick tension radiates from him.
“This is Abigail and Henry,” he says evenly. “Sarah’s parents. They stopped by to see Elody.” His attention stays locked on me. “And this is Kia.”
Before either of them has a chance to respond, Elody squeezes me tighter before tilting her head back to grin up at me. “Kia lives here with us!” She pauses, as if remembering something important. “She makes the best eggs. Sometimes we color, and she braids Penny’s hair.”
Another shocked silence follows that announcement.
“I’m sorry… did you say she lives here?” Abigail’s eyes narrow. “Exactly how long has this been going on for?”
Laiken’s hand brushes against my lower back. The touch is brief but comforting.
“It’s a new development,” he says.
Henry clears his throat. “And you didn’t think to discuss it with us first?”
Elody’s brow furrows, her small body stiffening, as if sensing the sudden shift in the room. “I want Kia to stay forever.”
I open my mouth, ready to explain that I’m just the nanny, when Laiken beats me to the punch.
“Actually, Kia and I are getting married.”
The words have the same effect as a bomb being dropped in the middle of the room. For a suspended beat, no one moves or dares to breathe. The air feels charged, as if the smallest sound might shatter it.
My pulse roars in my ears. It’s impossible to reconcile the words that just tumbled from his mouth.
Married?
I swing toward Laiken, waiting for him to correct himself, but he doesn’t. Instead, his gaze stays fixed straight ahead, as if daring either of them to argue.
Elody’s face lights up as she squeals while bouncing in place. “Yay! Daddy and Kia are getting married!”
“This is unacceptable,” Abigail snaps. “You should have talked to us first.”
“I can understand why you’d feel this way, but it’s not up for discussion,” Laiken says flatly.
