HARPER
TWO YEARS LATER
"Yuck!"
Julian and I broke apart from the kiss, turning to face Lila. Her small mouth was turned down in disgust, eyes squeezed shut.
I laughed and walked toward her as she shielded her face.
"Look who's up," Julian cooed, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. Lila giggled, kicking her feet in the air.
"Put me down, Daddy!" she screeched, even though excitement lit her face.
"Uh-uh," Julian shook his head. "You just disrupted Daddy and Mommy's game. And now, I shall tickle you."
Lila shrieked in protest as he tickled her, while I moved to the kitchen island and leaned against it, watching them.
Julian and I were dating.
After a year of living together, watching him spend time with the kids even though they weren't his, hearing them call him Daddy despite him telling them repeatedly to use his name, I'd learned it was a losing battle. They were young and didn't fully understand anyway.
