last of cold air, instantly killing

quiet, tension slicin

antly breaking into a nervous sweat

ue eyes flashed with something sharp. "Clear t

his eyes, let alone question the order. He quick

tanding nea

rted buzzing

He came in like h

hat's the h

g everyone out? Isn't

kno

econd, watching Jame

gazes locked-his ey

Maria feel like she'd pl

ssion softened a littl

edge, Maria qui

rant was his property, Maria

ave, and his arrival mad

but Maria happened to turn a

ike she was clearly

passed through his e

ut of nowhere-cute as a button, standing right i

hmaking was all for my mommy

claration, Ella froze. Who

She pursed her lips shyly, her stern li

s lovestruck reaction a

oked stu

ttle girl just c

Maria, clear

and rushed over. She grabbed E

ion all kinds of complicated. His ton

it with him and snapped, "Ye

face darkened like someone had just th

ion weirdly made

e, Ella had

Ella leaned forward wi

dn't marr

at James, voice soft and c

snapped, "Ella! He

and stared int

hed out to cover Ella'

ing to get

ay it cool only made things more obvio

look. "Nope. I've alre

ooked at Maria like she'd just droppe

own and clamped a ha

could only make

, Maria scooped Ella up and

ven more convinced - there was no way that

hall, Maria let Ella go and p

attering like a little bird. "Mommy, why didn't

shed out a pack of Skittles. "Sw

, o

and instantly forgot

Maria quickly tapped ou

out of he

h like James - just like

There'd be no way she could

Message

a game with Ethan. C

lly frowned he

erious. You two can

okay, I

ll wasn't at ease. She added another note:

ar

James's voice

"shush" ges

her big clear eyes loo

when it suddenly hit him- he still didn't have M

p in just a

, holding Ella tightly

frosty. "Wh

voice low and firm.

d a smile. "And why would I do

years, now he remembered

James's eyes. "Maria, swear to me

had time to

ly stepped b

ir. You're wa

nd gentle presence - the kind of guy

nized him - her old h

e put on a look of surprise an

had time to r

n high, and stared James dow