I didn’t wait for her to answer before I was striding toward the kids. “Hey guys.” I plopped in the empty chair across from them. “Molly and I have to go to work, but I’ll see you later.”

Janet nodded, aiming her contagious smile at me, but Jake twisted his lips into a frown. “What are you wearing?”

Noah started laughing, and pushed himself away from the table, mumbling an excuse about getting more food.

I glanced down, not sure why my plain black tee shirt or jeans would cause such a reaction. When I looked back up, his eyes were narrowed.

“Your hat, Dad. Why do you have a Yankees hat?” His voice was almost a whisper, as if just saying the words were painful for him.

I couldn’t stop the laugh that erupted at his reaction, which only made him glare more. Clearing my throat, I tried to compose myself. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back, watching me the way an angry father would, and I lost it all over again.

Molly’s hand slid over my shoulders as she slid into the chair next to me. “I’m sorry, Jake,” she soothed, “I know you’re a Sox fan, but I bought it for him while we were in New York. I wanted him to fit in, and now I love it on him. Forgive me?”

Instantly, Jake’s face transformed from irritated to understanding, and he uncrossed his arms. “That makes sense.” He nodded. “Are you a Yankees fan, Mol?” Mol? When had my kid given my girl a nickname?

“I’m from New York, I kinda have to be.” The woman next to me turned into a native New Yorker, complete with the Brooklyn accent, and then laughed. I watched as my son hung on her every word. “To be honest, I really don’t understand baseball.”

His eyebrows shot up, not understanding how anyone could say such a thing about his beloved sport.

“But your dad tells me you’re quite the star. Do you think you could teach me everything I need to know sometime?”

And just like that, the woman had my son eating out of her hand. He beamed. “Absolutely!”

Sam walked up to the table, offering my kids a small smile. “I’m sorry to interrupt, guys, but I’ve gotta steal your dad for a minute.” Turning to me, he tipped his head. “Security briefing in five minutes.”

I nodded, standing. “Sorry, guys, work beckons. I’ll see you later, okay?” I dropped a quick kiss on both their foreheads before either could object. Bracing my hands on the table in front of Molly, I smiled at her. “I’ll be back for you in a few. Stay put, okay?”

She smirked, nodding. “Yes, sir!”

“I mean it, Mols. The venue isn’t secured yet and I don’t want you leaving until I get back.” Without thinking, I pressed my lips to her forehead and then stepped back. “Be good,” I called over my shoulder.

“Be nice!” she called back. I chuckled as I pushed out into the hall. She knew me too well.

Peterson, one of Sam’s team members, stood guard outside the door. An ex-marine who was large and intimidating enough to scare most people away at first glance, Peterson was new to the team and usually got the shit jobs. At least until he could prove himself.

I paused, crossing my arms and meeting his gaze. “Molly doesn’t leave until I come back, and no one you don’t know goes in. We clear?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

I narrowed my eyes, debating whether or not I trusted him. Something felt off.

“Carson,” Sam yelled from the other end of the hall. “Get your ass down here. Or I’m doing the plan without your input, and I won’t listen to you bitch about it later.”

A smile tugged at my lips. Sam also knew me way too well. “I’m coming.” One last look at Peterson, and I pointed toward the door. “I’ll be right back. Take care of her.”

He looked at me like I had lost my mind. “There’s a room full of musicians in there. You’re gonna be gone for fifteen minutes, guy. They’ll all be fine.”

I nodded. There may have been a roomful, but only one that I worried about. I had a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen. The guys could take care of themselves. But Mols? Well, yeah, she could take care of herself, too. She had me now, though, and she didn’t have to take care of herself ever again.

Chapter Twenty-Five

~ Molly~

Mike had been out of the room for all of five seconds when Julie pounced.

I watched her stalking across the room, as if she was a lioness on the great African plains. A look of pure determination—as if she’d just seen her prey and was going to catch it at any cost—etched into her features as she headed straight for me. Julie, in her designer clothes, perfect haircut, and resting bitch face may have been enough to intimidate most women, but I wasn’t most women.

If Jules was the lion in this scenario, I was the tiger. She was about to learn that she wasn’t the biggest, baddest thing there was. If it was a battle she wanted, I’d eat her alive.

I smiled at her as she sat in the seat Mike had just vacated. “Jake is going to teach me all about baseball.”

She ignored me. “Hey, guys,” she told her children, “why don’t you go talk to Uncle Nate for a few minutes? I need to chat with Molly, okay?”

Jake eyed us both suspiciously, as if he knew whatever was coming wasn’t pleasant. Then he nodded and slid out of his chair. Janet followed him, stopping to hug me quickly before they walked across the room toward Lia and Nate. I swallowed, dreading whatever she had to talk to me about. When they were far enough away so they couldn’t hear us, Julie dropped the fake ass smile she’d had glued to her lips.

“Listen, I don’t know what Mike’s told you, but I’m getting a divorce.”

What in the hell was I supposed to say to that? I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

She waved her hand as if it was no big deal. “Everything happens the way it should. Mike and I got married young. We gave it a shot and blew it. We obviously needed a few years apart to experience other people and things so that we could appreciate what we have when we get back together. Now is our chance to do it right.”

I tried not to laugh. I really did. But the look on her face and the fact that she obviously believed what she was saying was hilarious. And very sad. The poor woman was delusional. That thought made the laughter die on my lips. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

She raised a single, perfectly shaped eyebrow, no amusement showing on her face. Oh, good Lord, she did. She thought that she’d carelessly destroy the man Mike had been and then just waltz back into the picture when her husband traded her in for a younger, prettier model? Hell, no.

“You and Mike are never getting back together, Julie.” I wasn’t cruel, and my tone was soft. I wasn’t on the attack, just stating fact.

She didn’t see it that way, though. Pushing her shoulders back and straightening up, her head moved sideways on her neck, reminding me of a snake getting ready to strike. “Aww, you think you have a future with him? How cute is that?” Her lips curled back, displaying her perfectly white teeth, and I was half surprised she didn’t have fangs. “Oh, sweetie, you’re just one in a line of many. A stop on his way back to me.”

I pursed my lips, watching her. Anyone else may have seen a beautiful woman who was sure of herself, someone you didn’t want to compete against because women like Julie always got what they wanted. I saw a broken woman whose life was falling apart and she was clinging to the only life raft she thought she had left—Mike.

I felt bad for her. Not because she was delusional, which she clearly was, but because she didn’t need to be rescued like a damsel in distress. She needed to pull on her big girl boots and play the hand life had dealt her. She needed to save herself, if only to prove to her daughter that Janet could do anything when she grew up.

“I know what Mike and I are, Julie. We’re friends. Neither one of us has expectations, there are no long-term plans. Doesn’t change the facts. Mike will never be yours again.”