of the key she held. Her mouth part

school have dads. D

mily's heart like she'd bee

ped her right arm aroun

be back soon," she spoke in a soft

emanded, pulling away from her

ing." She leaned down

the drive, her conversation with the child kept ringing in her head. It wasn't the first time Ethan had questione

irth, and she wasn't ready to inform him about the existence of h

s aside while Ethan went to his room. Silence des

ed onto t

How long was she going to keep lying to him? She cleaned off

unclear routine and thoug

y and dropped Ethan off at school before hea

her fingers on the keyboard, her eyes on the comp

She didn't even notice when the door ope

mi

r eyes to see Benjamin

he asked, with a conce

s okay," she answered,

ell, I'm here to

ering to treat her to lunch, but she'd blatantly refused. He still didn

say yes, but please allo

h you," she

for a moment, and a smil

ays of my life," he announc

ng down her computer a

er, opening the door for her as the

a walk to the restaurant a few blocks away from the office bu

nch?" She questioned wi

ke tasty meals," he winked at her before opening

They drove in comfortable silence for about ten minute

e glanced at him

d with a smile,

u will give me this chance

l then, d

f the car, walked around to get to

g his head in disapproval. "That's

," Emil

em in. His eyes quickly scanned the large room for a vacant table. Immediately

ntleman," Emi

reat job," Benjamin responded,

Cuisines," the waiter smiled as he bowed r

" Benjamin urged Emilia, as he

question. She opened the fancy menu and glanced at it before picking the least expe

, I brought you out to spoil you

ink he'd notice. "Thank you, Be

ook his hea

my d

dug in. At first taste, Emily let out a small moan of appreciati

y good," Emily said, a

u like it,"

ed eating their meal in silen

e progress?" he asked, coc

ly chewing the food in her mouth and

med on his face as h

go of he

The younger me would have loved to have you in my life, but now..." She heaved a sigh,

nging her attention back to Benjami

t you to know I'll be patient," he said, still holding

suddenly, she wanted to give him a chance to see where it'd go. Maybe h

ut

asked nonchalantly,

son," Emil

, startled by her words; his