Page 101 of Discretion at Its Finest

“Besides,” she said lightly, reaching into a cabinet, “you’ve been all smiles lately.” I blinked as she continued, “Less moody, more alive.” She laughed at her own phrasing, not even glancing at me long enough to notice my expression. “I swear, the pregnancy glow is early this time. Some women are just lucky.”

I forced a small smile. I didn’t exactly feel different; if anything my morning sickness and sensitivity was only getting worse… I had, however, started communicating regularly with Reid. Seeing him more, hearing his voice—maybe she was right. But by her tone, I was sure she wasn’t exactly a “fan” of my newfound pregnancy glow.

Finishing up Eugene’s breakfast as I dropped a few berries into the bowl of oats, I listened to the pitter-patter of feet coming into the kitchen before I locked eyes on my little boy.

His fists were rubbing against his eyes, walking blindly before he locked onto my legs, his arms wrapping around my knees. My first genuine smile of the morning came to my lips.

“Hi, Lovebug. Did you sleep good last night?” I asked, and he nodded silently, hands clenching at my robe tiredly.

Greg, deciding now was the perfect time to ruin our little moment, stepped in, ruffling Eugene’s hair. I bit my tongue, noticing the stoic reaction from my son in contrast to when Reid would do the same to him.

“There’s my boy. Big day today for you in soccer, huh? I’ll make sure Mom tells me all about your winning goals again.” He smiled, but Eugene blinked up at him, unimpressed, and turned back to my leg.

I winced internally at the reaction as I reached down and picked Eugene up, settling him onto the counter in front of me. He had another one of his tournaments today, playing against a rival team an hour away.

I’d told Greg the other day, wanting him to be a part of at least one game during the stretch of the end of the season, but absentee father he was, he didn’t bother making plans to come. He also wouldn’t have cared to listen to how it went if he came back. Which was why even after Eugene deliberately ignored him, Gregory straightened, smoothing his jacket, already moving on from the conversation.

“We’ll be back from the meetings soon,” he said, placing a quick kiss on my cheek before stepping out with Cheryl, his hand finding the small of her back as they rounded the corner.

I watched them go silently before turning back to my sleepy boy, who was trying to lean his head onto my shoulder. I rubbed his cheek with my thumb, kissing his skin gently as his eyes opened.

“It’ll just be us this morning, Lovebug. I want you to eat your breakfast before we get ready, okay?”

He blinked slowly, sitting up. “‘Kay,” came his little raspy voice, and I placed a kiss on his nose.

I fed him slowly. His little legs swung against the counter as he chewed, eyes still heavy with sleep, cheeks round and warm.

My hand drifted to my stomach without thinking. This was my world, these two were my everything now. And there was no place I’d rather be than here…

But somewhere underneath all of it… there was a pull I couldn’t silence that I wanted to ignore, already counting the hours until I could hearhisvoice again.

Chapter forty

Genevieve

Iknew something was off the moment the guard didn’t lead me toward the long hallway of glass partitions. He didn’t tell me to sit at booth four and point toward the metal stool where I’d watched Reid through the glass.

Instead, he said:

“Follow me.”

My stomach twisted in anticipation as we passed the usual visitation area… then continued down a corridor I’d never seen before. The lights buzzed overhead, humming in a low, industrial drone.

This wasn’t normal protocol for my visitations, and I couldn’t help but brace for the worst.

He opened a door at the end of the hall.

And there, already inside… was Reid with no cuffs or glass separation. He was close enough that if I stepped forward, I could touch him.

For one stunned second, I couldn’t breathe even if I wanted to.

“Kaufman…” the guard bit out.

Reid’s eyes lifted, locking onto mine, and he stood immediately.

The guard continued, “You get—”

I didn’t even listen as every rational thought left my body. I ran to him, my body colliding with his, all breath knocked from me as his arms wrapped around my waist and hauled me fully against him.