Page 54 of Shattered Throne
It didn't look like acting at all.
Later, Zoe fell asleep on the blanket, exhausted from running and laughing and the simple pleasure of a good day. Her head rested on my lap, her elephant clutched to her chin, her small chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
Xavier sat beside us, legs stretched out, watching the other families pack up and leave as the afternoon faded toward evening.
"She's a good kid," he said.
"She's everything." My hand moved through Zoe's hair, gentle, automatic. "She's the only thing I've ever done right."
"I don't think that's true."
I looked at him. He was watching me now, not Zoe.
"You're a good mother," he said. "Anyone can see that."
I didn't know what to do with the compliment. It felt too big, too intimate. More personal than a kiss, somehow. More exposed.
"I didn't have a model for it," I admitted. The words came out before I could stop them. "Foster care isn't exactly... I just figured it out as I went."
"Seems like you figured it out well."
I risked a glance at him. He was watching Zoe again, something soft in his expression. Something unguarded. He looked younger like this. Less polished. Real.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "For today. For all of this."
"Don't thank me yet." He grinned. "I'm still processing the trauma of being defeated by a kite." I laughed. Xavier's grin softened into something warmer. "That's a good sound," he said. "You should do it more often."
I looked away, heart hammering, and didn't respond.
The drive home was quiet.
Zoe slept in the backseat, worn out from the day, her kite clutched in her arms like a trophy. Xavier drove carefully, taking turns slowly, avoiding potholes like each one was a personal offense.
"Thank you," I said again. "For today."
"For getting tangled in a kite string?"
I smiled despite myself. "For spending time with her. I know she had a lovely day. Because of you."
Xavier glanced at me. In the passing streetlights, his expression was completely unguarded. Vulnerable in a way I'd never seen.
"Come on," he said. "I enjoyed it just as much as she did."
We pulled up to my building. Xavier insisted on carrying Zoe upstairs—she'd barely stirred when he lifted her from the backseat, her head lolling against his shoulder with complete trust. I watched him cradle her carefully, like she was something precious, and something twisted in my chest.
He laid her gently in her bed while I pulled off her shoes and tucked the blanket around her.
She stirred. "Mommy?"
"I'm here, baby."
"Today was the best day." Her eyes were already closing again. "Mr. Xavier is nice."
"Yeah." I kissed her forehead. "He is."
Xavier was waiting in the living room when I emerged. He looked out of place. Too polished for this life.
"I should go," he said.
