Page 84 of Troublemaker: The Big Picture Edition

“Is that Tom FordOud Wood?” Willa asks, inhaling my neck.

“It is.” I take the little nugget from Shane. I can’t believe how little this guy is.

“Mmm, that’s my favorite men’s woody scent,” she says.

Nico almost spits out his bagel. “You said men’s woody.”

She ignores her brother and continues sniffing me. “The amber note is strong on you. You going out later?” She grins. “This can’t possibly be your everyday cologne.”

“I have vague plans with a specific someone,” I say, staring down at the baby. He’s wide-eyed and gurgling. I didn’t realize it until now, but I want another one of these. It hits me hard.

After giving Willa and Kat a few details about my lady friend, minus the very important detail about her being my son’s teacher, I mention that Ryder doesn’t know about it yet.

“You haven’t introduced her to him yet?” Kat asks.

“Um. Actually, he has met her. He just doesn’t know we’re seeing each other yet.”

“Intriguing,” Willa says, eyeing me. “What does she smell like?”

“Cake and sex and books and sharpened pencils.”

She lowers her voice and smacks my arm with the back of her hand. “Is she a teacher? Is she Ryder’s teacher?!”

I give Shane a look.

“I didn’t tell her anything.” He shrugs. “She’s a scent detective.”

“That’s kind of hot.” Willa gives me a nudge. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Me too,” Kat says. “But tell me everything.”

I don’t. But I do talk shop with her for a while. She’s a photographer who also directs documentaries and music videos, and we have a similar aesthetic. When Tate calls her and Nico into the family room so they can watch his magic trick, Shane takes the baby from me and I grab a bite to eat.

There’s a slight chill in the air, and I realize Grammie is standing right behind me, watching me watch Shane and Willa with the baby.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” she says without looking at me. “Seeing him with his second wife. And a new baby.”

“I remember when he was just a shell of a man.” My voice cracks a little.

“Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“What about you?” I fix her with a friendly stare.

She continues to watch Shane and Willa, but she gives me a little shove. “Some of us got it right the first time.”

“You don’t need a second chance?”

“I’m good, kid. You get your own life in order, why don’t you?”

“Workin’ on it.”

I pull my phone out and find a text from Emilia, telling me that she’s home and about to get ready to go to the library with her dog for a couple of hours.

Half an hour later, I’m saying goodbye to everyone and dragging my reluctant son out the door. Because I want to get our lives in order. As soon as possible.

Shane lets Willa take the baby and walks us to the driveway. We talk about the script I sent him—the love story. Our oldWizardproducer Barry is now attached to produce it, along with a more prestigious film producer. But Barry is hungry and motivated, and he’s going to get independent funding for this project if Shane is attached to star in it.

“I love the script,” Shane says. “But I’m going to take the next half a year off to do baby duty. So Willa can work on her stuff. If that’s okay with you, timewise, I’ll call my agent and tell him to make it work with my schedule.”