And yet, I didn’t seem to care. I wanted her—still. After all those years.

The alarming revelation jolted me back to the present, and my mouth was moving before I could stop it.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. Shit! That sounded way to brash.

“We came in overnight. My dad, he—he had a stroke.”

“Phil? Oh, Lex, I’m sorry,” the old nickname flowing out without my knowledge.

Then, she sniffled, holding back emotion. Above anything, I wanted to pull her into my arms, protect her from it all. But that wasn’t my role anymore.

Austin stared at me. “Do you know my papa?”

I winked. “Sure do. Your papa is one of the strongest men I know. He will get through this.”

And like all kids, the questions kept going. “How do you know him?”

I rubbed the back of my neck as Alexis took it on the chin. “This is—umm—a friend of the family.”

I had no right to feel some type of way about that description. Hell, I should have been glad to even be placed in that category instead of cheating, lying ex-husband. But I couldn’t help the spike of regret that filtered through.

Austin contemplated before saying, “Is he your friend, mama?”

“Ahh, yes, from a long time ago.” It was so awkward. And I still couldn’t bring myself to care. I was in her presence. That was enough for me.

Then, Austin dropped the ultimate bomb, levelling us both to the ground. “You said my daddy used to be your friend. Is this my daddy?”

Alexis winced in mortification as her pallor turned a nasty pale.

“Oh my god,” she exclaimed. “I am so sorry. Austin, stop. We’re going to see Papa now. Say goodbye.”

“Bye.” Austin held out his hand like a grown up. I took hold, giving a firm shake, amusement sparking from his actions. “Hey, I gave you my name, so you have to give me yours. If you don’t, you’re a rude boy with no manners. Right, Mama?”

Alexis looked like she was having an aneurysm. This time, I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face. “Pleased to meet you, Austin. My name’s Owen.” His head tilted at that, thinking hard.

“Hey, I know that name. Aunty Ali said that—”

“Okayyyyy,” Alexis said, slapping a palm over Austin’s mouth. “Let’s leave Owen alone. I’m sure he’s very busy.”

“Not really,” I blurted.

Her brow furrowed with a beat of confusion before clearing. “Well, I’ll see you.”

I hope so.

The whole interaction had anticipation, and dare I say—hope—bubbling within me.

There was no daddy. And I also clocked that she wasn’t wearing a ring. Was it some sort of sign from a higher power? ’Cause I would readily bow down to whoever gave me the opportunity.

Chapter 14

ALEXIS

I was flustered, a damn nervous wreck.