Liz wanted to hug her in gratitude. But she couldn‟t afford to lose her head. “If that‟s what he wants.”
“What does he know what he wants? He‟s fifteen.”
Liz flushed. “You‟re talking about Zack.”
“Who else would I . . . Morgan?”
Liz dropped her gaze to her wineglass. “You said they were alike.”
“Dylan and Zack ,” Regina clarified. “They‟re both half-human. Morgan is a coldblooded son of a bitch.”
Liz shivered.
“ Because of you, ” Morgan had said, his eyes alight with intensity, his body throwing off heat. “ Because of my feelings
for you. As soon as I knew the boy was finfolk, I would have taken him and gone. For no other woman—for no other force on
earth—would I have stayed. ”
He hadn‟t seemed so cold then. Or last night on her porch.
But he wanted to take their son away.
Liz straightened her spine. All her life, she‟d had to fight for what she wanted. Med school. Her baby. Ben‟s life.
Sometimes she lost, but she didn‟t give up.
Just because her world had changed in the past few hours didn‟t mean that she should.
“I need to talk to him,” she said, not sure if she meant Morgan or Zack.
“You want to leave Emily here?” Regina offered.
Liz looked at her, surprised and grateful. She hadn‟t expected an ally. “I don‟t want to inconvenience you.”
“You won‟t. Let her stay for dinner. It‟s family movie night at the community center. Popcorn and a double feature. Dylan
can take the kids and bring Emily home afterwards.”
“That would be great. Thank you. What time?”
“Ten, ten-thirty?”
More than enough time to have things out with Zack. Her head pounded.
“I‟ll have to ask her,” Liz said. Her seven-year-old had spent all day at a new camp. She might object to spending all
evening away from her mother and a new kitten.
Which meant any serious discussions with Zack might have to wait, Liz thought, and tried to feel disappointed instead of
relieved.
Summoned from her video game, however, Emily showed no sign of separation anxiety.
“Cool. Thanks, Mom.” Her smile flashed. “Thanks, Mrs. Hunter.”
“Hurry up!” Nick shouted. “You‟re going down.”
“Bring it!” she yelled.
She turned back at the door to his room, her big dark eyes seeking reassurance. “You won‟t forget to feed Tigger.”
Liz‟s throat ached. They were growing up, growing away from her, both her children. “I promise.”
She watched her daughter bounce off before turning back to Regina. “You‟re sure this isn‟t a problem for you?”
“Not at all. Nick‟s thrilled. He needs more people his own age to play with.”
“Don‟t we all.” She walked with Regina to the landing outside the apartment. “I don‟t know how to thank you.”
“Then don‟t. You good to drive?”
Her obvious concern touched Liz. “I‟ll walk. It‟s not far.”
A walk would give her time to clear her head and plan her strategy. She thanked Regina again and went home, preparing to
fight for what she wanted.
A future where she wasn‟t alone.
Stephanie set her hands on her hips. “Zack, when I said the next move was up to you, I was expecting a little more than,
„Hey, can I come over tonight.‟ ”
Zack‟s face heated. “Okay. What do you want to do?”
She tilted her head, considering. “There‟s a movie at the community center tonight.”
No movie could be as interesting as her backyard swing, but he wanted to make her happy. “You want to go?”
“I am going. Seven o‟clock.” And then, apparently taking pity on him, she smiled and added, “Maybe I‟ll see you there.”