Harry winked at her. Despite being surrounded by noisy children, Alice got an undeniable rush of lust.

Hunter grabbed a menu from somewhere. Holly started making a list of pizza choices and Harry took a niece in each hand and spun them around and around. Leo snuggled into Alice’s shoulder, his soft curls caressing her cheek, and his thumb snuck into his mouth. Alice stood in the middle of bewitching hour—every parent’s least favorite time of day—with her heart expanding and cramping all at the same time.

Don’t wallow. With what felt to her like superhuman strength, she tried focusing on living in the moment. The impromptu dance party. The seriousness of choosing pizza. The way Harry made her feel. The weight of Leo in her arms and the softness of his sleepy body against hers.

“Mama?” Leo said.

Alice bit her lip. That was the problem with living in unexpected moments—real life always came rushing back.

The moment the car disappeared behind the trees with Alice and the children in it, Nick broke the taut silence that had stretched between them since Alice had walked in on their argument.

“Libs, this is a one-time situation. She’s in the hospital so of course Leo will stay the night with us.”

Libby didn’t think there was any of course about it. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but whether it’s appendicitis or the result of hitting the bottle, a social worker needs to be involved. He’s better off in foster care until she can look after him again.”

Nick’s eyes darkened. “He is not going to foster care.”

Libby felt their hard-earned détente slipping away. “You better talk to Rosa and Rick then.”

“They leave for Queensland in the morning.”

“Then you better think of someone else, because he is not staying here.”

“Libby, please. I’m begging.”

“Don’t you dare make me out to be the bad guy. You know how I feel about this. You shouldn’t even be asking me!”

“For God’s sake. I didn’t plan this. It’s just one of those things.”

“And how many more will there be? She listed you as next of kin! This is the thin end of the wedge, Nick. If we give in on this, she’ll use it to push for more. This is a line in the sand moment and you might not be prepared to draw it, but I am.”

“This is nothing to do with you and her, or me and her. It’s everything to do with a little boy. Leo’s usually home with her by now and we’ve sent him off with Alice.”

“He’s more than safe with Alice.”