MAISIEMy lips curved into a wicked smile. "We are." I held up my hand, crossing my fingers tightly together in an exaggerated gesture. "Curious about something specific?"Jason's eyebrows arched toward his hairline, surprise briefly displacing his usual composed expression. Then a low chuckle rumbled from his chest—one that sent unexpected tingles down my spine."We really are," I added impishly, unable to resist pushing just a little further."No bullying allowed, woman!" His voice carried a teasing lilt.A burst of genuine laughter escaped me at his unexpected retort. But before I could fully appreciate his wit, he leaned closer with his eyes narrowing playfully."And who might this other one be?" He tapped the screen. "Master of fancy thrills?"The question blindsided me so completely that I inhaled wrong and my laughter transformed into a violent coughing fit.My hand flew to my chest as I struggled to catch my breath between coughs."Hey..." Jason's playful demeanor vanished ins
MAISIE"I didn't put it on myself." My voice came out sharper than intended while I backpedaled two steps. "It was already there when I put the shirt on."A playful smirk danced across Jason's features. Without a word, he reached out, his fingers threading through my hair in a gentle, teasing ruffle.The casual intimacy of the gesture sent a flutter through my stomach. He bent down, gathering our wet clothes – my damp garments and his swimsuit – from where they lay scattered on the floor."Relax." His voice carried a soothing warmth. "I'm not filing any reports. Let me throw these in the dryer – I'll be right back."The door clicked shut behind him, and my held breath escaped in a long exhale. The sudden solitude felt both liberating and overwhelming.My gaze drifted inevitably toward his closet, its door standing invitingly open.The rational part of my brain screamed that snooping was wrong, but something about Jason made all my usual boundaries blur and fade. He was like a puzzle I
MAISIEThe challenge in his voice sent sparks dancing through my veins, but underneath the heated moment, something heavier pressed against my conscience.The truth I'd been carrying felt like lead, threatening to poison whatever was blooming between us. Each second I kept it hidden felt like another brick in a wall I didn't want to build."You failed the test!" The words burst from me with forced cheerfulness.I pushed against his chest, creating distance between us, and made a beeline for the door. The sudden space helped clear my head, though my heart continued its frantic dance."I believe a retake is in order." Jason’s voice followed me, rich with amusement as the sound of his footsteps echoed behind me.I spun around, summoning my best authoritative expression. "Unfortunately, Mr. Harding, your performance indicates you'll need to repeat the entire year." The playful words helped mask the tremor in my voice.Two swift strides brought him back into my personal space."On the cont
MAISIEThe soft lamplight cast gentle shadows across the room as I studied his face, curiosity getting the better of me. "Do you suffer from insomnia?" My voice was barely above a whisper.Jason’s eyes met mine.Realization dawned on me. "Is it chronic or new insomnia?" I pressed."It hit me a few years ago." His fingers drummed absently against his thigh. "I don't sleep much these days. Most people would find my nighttime activities mind-numbingly boring. Reading technical manuals, organizing files – things that should put anyone to sleep. Yet for me, they're just ways to pass the time."The drowsiness clouding my thoughts made me blurt out, "Is that why you became a manager?"A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he drew closer. Without a word, he guided me to rest against his chest and his warmth immediately enveloped me."I've sat with people from every walk of life, including the most influential figures in the country." His voice rumbled beneath my ear. "But being a manager?” His h
MAISIEMy heart stopped the second we arrived at the restaurant. There sat Dame, holding Don’s hand at one of the tables."There must be some explanation for this," I muttered, trying to make sense of the scene."What more proof do you need?" Miriam's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Would catching them kissing do it for you?""Please shut up!" The mere suggestion made my stomach turn.I strode toward their table, my pulse racing with each step."Keep calm, I won't bite you," Dame's voice carried across the table. “I…” Her words ceased abruptly at our approach.Don yanked his hand back, stuffing it hastily into his jacket pocket. His chair creaked against the floor as he shifted uncomfortably at our sudden appearance.Miriam's palm slammed against the table. "What's going on between you two?"Ignoring her rotten mind, I slipped into the seat beside Don. "I have wonderful news. Nathan found a donor for you. Soon, you'll be free from the chains of your illness.""Donor?" Don's eyes widened
MAISIEShe settled on the adjacent stool, draping her brown jacket over the empty seat beside her.Her unexpected presence surprised me, but I found I didn't mind the company.I poured her drink first, adding ice cubes before filling my own glass. "You always amaze me with your perspective on things.""Why aren't you celebrating with the others?" Dame took a sideways glance at me before lifting her glass.My lips twisted in contemplation. "This is my celebration." The tequila burned pleasantly as I sipped, its sharp bite making me wince. "I've never had tequila before, and I doubt I will again."She shrugged."How do you plan to make Klay Woods fall in love with you?" The question rolled off my tongue."I'm tired. Love is exhausting, especially when you love someone who doesn't love you back." Dame's voice carried a weight that seemed to pull her shoulders down and her expression darkened with each word.The memory of the amusement park flickered through my mind. My curiosity burned.
MAISIEMy heart stopped. "What? You saw us?""I was heading to my room when I spotted you two." Dame's expression softened. "It was pretty clear your relationship wasn't just neighborly. I would've minded my own business, but then I saw Don approaching from the other direction. I had to distract him."The revelation hit me. All this time, Dame had known and kept our secret. She'd even protected us from being discovered."Did all that really happen when I was completely unaware?" I stared at Dame in disbelief. "Why would you help me like that? Most people would have done the opposite."Dame's lips curved into a knowing smile. "He came to see me, seeking help with a problem he was facing. His issues with women.""I don't know how to thank you properly, but I owe you one." I shifted away from her, attempting a smile that faltered when thoughts of her friendship with Karina surfaced."Don't you hate me? I mean, I'm your friend's fiancé's lover." Fear crept into my voice.Dame reached for
MAISIEThe sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the room like a gunshot.A startled gasp escaped me.I stumbled backward until my shoulder blades pressed against the cool wall as his relentless approach drove me further into retreat.“Who. Is. His. Father?” He asked again through gritted teeth."You!" The admission burst from me between ragged breaths, my chest constricting under the weight of his dangerous proximity.The truth I'd carried for seven years since our divorce finally escaped, hanging in the air between us like a live wire.I instinctively shielded my face when Jason raised his fist, memories of childhood trauma surfacing unbidden. However, the pain never came. Instead, his fist landed on the wall above my head and the impact sent vibrations through the plaster.Tears spilled unbidden down my cheeks, leaving hot trails that burned like acid."Why didn't you tell me?" His breath was warm against my face, carrying a heavy scent of whiskey. He’d been drinking.My thr
MAISIEI froze, then rushed closer to her. "Lily, what did you say? Say it again!"She placed her tiny palm on my cheek."Amma!"It wasn't perfect, but it was close enough. After months of trying, she'd finally said something resembling "Mama."Joy exploded through me like fireworks. I started bouncing up and down, unable to contain my excitement."She said it! She said 'Mama'! Did you hear that? She called me 'Mama'!" I shouted, throwing my arms wide and then forming a big heart shape with them for Lily.Suddenly, I realized I hadn't captured this momentous occasion. "Wait, I need my camera! This is important!"I started frantically searching through my bag. "Don't say anything else until Mama comes back with the camera, okay?" I called over my shoulder as I dug through my belongings.I've always been one to wear my emotions openly, especially happiness. After everything I'd been through in my life, I'd promised myself I would never downplay joy when it came my way. I would celebrate
MAISIEI was making my way back from checking on Don and his friends who were busy taking photos and being typical teenagers when Lily suddenly began squirming in my arms, making urgent sounds and pointing.Don had asked us to keep his relationship with Jason private at school. As far as his classmates knew, Jason was just his stepfather, the school principal who had married his mom.I understood his need for privacy; teenage social dynamics were complicated enough without adding that layer.Lily's movements became more insistent, drawing my attention back to her. She was staring fixedly at something, her little body practically vibrating with excitement.Following her gaze, I realized we were standing near the elephant enclosure. A massive African elephant was resting in the shade of a large tree, separated from us by sturdy metal bars and a deep moat.I moved closer to the viewing area, and Lily immediately grabbed onto the bars, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the enormous
MAISIEI turned back to face her, noting the familiar look of contempt that always appeared whenever Karina's name came up.Miriam had disliked her from the start, but her hatred had intensified after I'd explained the full story of how Karina had conspired with Jason's brother Jared, how she'd betrayed years of friendship with Jason just to trap him in a relationship."What's she done now?" I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know.My feelings toward Karina were complicated. For a long time, I'd seen her as nothing but a manipulative obstacle standing between Jason and me. Then, during our final confrontation, I'd glimpsed something else—a young woman crushed under the weight of family expectations and desperate choices.However, that brief moment of sympathy had evaporated when Jason finally told me everything. The extent of her deception, the calculated way she'd worked with Jared to keep Jason tied to her... I'd never wished anyone ill except for Jared, but Karina had earned a
MAISIE"It's okay, sweet girl," I murmured, holding Lily close as our car pulled away from the driveway.Her eyes were still watery, her little chest occasionally hitching with the aftermath of tears. She'd been crying for Don, who had left earlier with Chen and their friend to meet us at the zoo.Don had snuck out while Lily was distracted with her toys, but she'd noticed his absence almost immediately. It was almost comical how both her father and brother would try to slip away unnoticed, terrified of upsetting a twenty-month-old."Come on, Lily," I said brightly, trying to distract her. "Say 'Mama'!"I'd been trying to coax her first words for weeks now. However, she seemed determined to take her time.The pediatrician assured us it was normal. Some children were simply more observant before they started speaking still I couldn't help feeling a little anxious.Lily ignored my prompting, becoming fascinated with the buttons on my jacket instead. She leaned forward, her chubby finger
MAISIEThe next morning, I emerged from a quick shower and headed to the dressing room to get ready for the day.I'd passed by Lily's room earlier and found both her and Jason still asleep, though she had somehow migrated onto his chest, her favorite sleeping position since she was born.Whenever she was with one of us while sleeping, she'd inevitably crawl up and settle herself on our chest, her ear pressed against our heartbeat.I pulled on ripped jeans, a white tank top, and a soft gray blazer, then headed back to the nursery, eager to tell Jason about his unprecedented night of sleep.When I reached Lily's room, the bed was empty. I found them on the other side of the room, where Jason was sitting on the floor with Lily in his lap, carefully putting tiny shoes on her feet.She looked adorable in a white sundress, her hair tamed into two small pigtails.I was about to speak when Don appeared behind me with Lily's sippy cup of milk in his hand."Time for breakfast, everyone," he ann
MAISIE~A couple of years later~I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl in the world two years after our wedding. We named her Lily, after Jason's mother. Sometimes I call her Lil when she's being especially cute, which is pretty much all the time.It was actually my suggestion to name her after his mother. I knew it would make Jason happy, and it truly did. The way his eyes lit up when I proposed it—that moment alone was worth it.Now she's one year and eight months old, toddling around our home with a determination that makes us all smile.Lily has filled our lives—mine, Jason's, and Don's—with a kind of joy I never knew existed. Her little voice, still forming words but full of expression, makes the whole house feel alive. She's become the unexpected glue that has truly brought our family together.Don had accepted my relationship with his father, but in those early days after the wedding, he still spent most of his time with his best friend.He was trying to adjust to this
MAISIEThe moment we appeared, the guests rose to their feet, turning to watch our approach.I saw familiar faces on both sides of the aisle—colleagues from work, parents from Don's school.Miriam stood in the front row, her pregnancy now visible beneath her flowing dress, tears already streaming down her face as she clutched Nathan's hand.But my eyes were drawn inexorably to Jason, waiting for me beneath the arch.The look on his face as he watched me approach… wonder, joy, love so intense it was almost painful to witness made everything else fade away.In that moment, it was just the two of us, connected by an invisible thread that had been drawing us together since our first meeting.Don and I moved slowly down the aisle, each step bringing me closer to my future. The weight of my son's arm beneath my hand was both grounding and symbolic. He wasn't just giving me away; he was walking with me into our new life.When we reached the front, the officiant smiled warmly at us. "Who give
MAISIEThe moment I stepped on the back porch, the world seemed to pause. Across the lawn where rows of white chairs arranged in a semicircle. Wildflowers in shades of blue, purple, and white lined the aisle—the same flowers that grew naturally along the stream at the property's edge, now woven into garlands that transformed our backyard into an enchanted garden.Jason squeezed my hand once before releasing it. Then he moved ahead to take his place at the simple arch we'd constructed from twisted branches and adorned with more wildflowers and fairy lights that would twinkle as evening approached.His best man, Klay, stood beside him, while Felix and the rest of Jason’s friends lingered a few feet away. Dressed in sleek black silk suits, they exuded an air of refined elegance, each one strikingly handsome in their own way.I took a deep breath, steadying myself in the quiet moment before everything would begin.The subtle scent of my bouquet—wildflowers mixed with sprigs of lavender—he
MAISIEWe lay tangled together afterward.Jason’s weight was a welcome pressure on top of me and his heartbeat was strong against my chest, gradually slowing to match my own.My ring caught the candlelight and sent prisms dancing across his sweat-dampened skin like tiny rainbows that seemed a fitting metaphor for the joy that filled me.Eventually, Jason shifted to the side and gathered me on him so that my head rested on his chest with his arm a protective band around my waist.Outside, the night had deepened, but inside our sanctuary, time seemed suspended in amber like the honey that still faintly flavored our kisses."When did you plan all this?" I asked, tracing idle patterns through the light dusting of hair on his chest.His fingers combed through my hair, gentle and soothing, occasionally working through tangles with careful attention. "I bought the ring before our trip to Greendale," he admitted, the rumble of his voice vibrating against my ear.I nodded.Tears slipped from t