Chapter 4

The private room erupts the moment I walk in — a dozen men, all different types, surging toward me at once:

"The queen is back!"

I drop onto the couch. Immediately, half of them are around me — offering drinks, working out the knots in my shoulders.

"You disappeared after the wedding. We thought you'd forgotten us."

"Speak for yourself. I cried the hardest when she settled down."

"Please. I still look at her pictures every day. You don't even compare."

"Alright, alright." I wave them quiet. "Where's Ryan?"

Ryan Mercer.

My favorite, back when I was the worst kind of player.

If Callum hadn't appeared out of nowhere when he did — I honestly don't know if Ryan and I would've ended up together.

He hasn't changed much.

Still exactly my type.

I'm about to stand when my phone buzzes.

"Word is the legendary heartbreaker is back in circulation?"

"Finally woke up, babe! You've got a whole room of men there, don't you?"

I smirk. "Sending you the address."

A few minutes later, a small child is delivered to the door.

My friend's voice crackles through the phone, laughing: "My husband and I are on our honeymoon! Have your little fan club babysit for me!"

"Sara Collins, I swear to god—"

There's a kid here. What am I supposed to do with a room full of men now?

Ryan laughs and scoops the boy up:

"Maddie, look at him — he's got a bit of both of us, don't you think?"

"Mama!" The child reaches for me with both arms.

Just like Sara. Shameless. Instant attachment.

I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Fine.

"Can you handle a kid?" I look at Ryan.

"With you? No problem."

I wave the others off.

Just Ryan with me was enough. I couldn't exactly let loose with a child in the room.

Watching Sara's boy around Leo's age, I feel something bitter settle in my chest.

The things I'd normally do aren't an option right now, so I take the two of them to the mall instead.

We're in the middle of holding a tiny jacket up against the boy when every sales associate in the store suddenly straightens up:

"Ms. Ellie! Mr. Whitmore! You're here!"

I look up.

Callum is holding Leo's right hand.

A woman — sharp-featured, warm smile — is holding his left.