Page 58 of Unleashed

“I’m serious, Maren.” Somehow, my hand accidentally ends up cradling her cheek. “I know you’re technically not her mother, but you are one hell of a good mom.”

Her eyes stay on my face for a second longer, before dropping to the floor between us. “Thank you.”

It’s a quiet moment. Something we’ve never had before. There’s no fighting. No push or pull. Just real, open honesty.

Right up until she plants both hands on my chest and gives me a light shove. “Now get out of the way. Zara’s going to eat all our cake.”

18

Maren

Somehow, Trevor not only manages to get himself invited for dinner tomorrow, he also manages to spend three hours entertaining my sister before her bedtime.

While I sit on the couch watching one of my shows, the two of them stay parked at the table. I don’t know exactly what they’re doing, but I’m not going to ask any questions. I get very little time to myself, and I’m going to take full advantage.

Even if it’s Trevor Bradshaw responsible for providing it.

By the time eight thirty rolls around, I’ve watched not one, but two episodes, and enjoyed an entire package of frozen sour grapes.

After switching off the television, I stand up, stretching out before turning to my sister. “It’s bedtime. Pack it up.”

As usual, Zara starts whining. I suck in a breath, ready to shut her down. But Trevor beats me to the punch.

“No whining.” He stands, collecting the items they’ve strewn across the table. “If you don’t give your sister a hard time, maybe we can plan a trip to that petting zoo we found.”

Zara perks up, a smile lifting her lips. “Okay.”

I look from Trevor to my sister as they work together cleaning up their mess. Did he just bribe my sister into behaving?

It’s something I was completely unaware of before Zara came into my life. A fact I blame on my own nonexistent parenting. Nothing prepared me for how much of raising a child is about bribery and negotiation.

At first, I felt bad about bribing my sister. Like I was taking the easy way out. Until I realized I also routinely bribe myself. Nothing gets me moving faster than the reward of my favorite iced coffee when I’m on time for work. I felt way less bad about it after that.

I feel even less bad about it now that Trevor’s done it too. From everything I’ve heard, his childhood was great. By all accounts, his parents were, and still are, fantastic. So if bribery is his first inclination, there’s a good chance it was theirs. And if it’s good enough for Deidre Bradshaw, it’s sure as hell good enough for me.

As soon as the table is clear, I collect my sister, helping her into the bathroom to get her cleaned up. The cake removed from her hair and the steak juice washed from between her fingers, I get her in a fresh pair of PJs and lead her into the hall.

To find Trevor is nowhere in sight.

Did he just leave without saying goodbye? I know it’s late, but I would have expected him to at least let me know he was going.

I try not to be too pissed about it as I tuck my sister in and flip off her light, but I’m annoyed. Aggravated he just walked right out like I don’t even deserve⁠—

I stop when my eyes land on my very clean kitchen.

I must not have heard him working in here over the sounds of the bathwater and the blow dryer. All the dishes are done and put away, and the counters have been wiped clean, along with the dining table. Every bit of trash is gone, and the bag has been taken out, replaced with a fresh liner.

I’m a little less mad he didn’t say goodbye.

I got to watch two episodes of my show earlier, but it’s still on the early side, and I’m not quite ready to go to sleep. Heading back to the couch, I drop down to my favorite cushion. As I reach for the remote, my hand freezes midair.

A note sits just beside it on the coffee table.

I snatch it off the surface, reading the slanted words twice.

Maren,

Thank you for having dinner with me. I hope Zara didn’t give you too much shit over bedtime. Mostly because I already bought us tickets to go to a petting zoo tomorrow.