curls around Chloe’s shoulders. Chloe and Theo had been coming to see Fitz for months now, unbeknown to her homophobic husband. She never needed an appointment with Fitz. Not that she could make one, knowing her husband would lose his shit if he found out she was associating with Fitz. She’d accompanied her best friend during an appointment, and she and Fitz had hit it off from the first day. “Are you sure you want to keep doing this?” Fitz asked, his concern for her and Theo growing with every appointment.
Chloe met his gaze in the mirror in front of her. “It’s worth the risk. Everything in my life belongs to him. Not this. Not you. I need this, Fitz.”
He nodded, his heart breaking for her. There was no need for him to tell her how he felt about her situation. They’d discussed it plenty of times, but Fitz couldn’t do much except be there for her.
Fitz’s smart watch went off, and he checked it, his smile widening.
“Is that your new man?” Chloe teased.
“Maybe.” Fitz did a little shimmy. “You’ll get to meet him tonight. He’s running a little late but should be here just as I’m finishing up.”
“You hold on to him, Fitz. Any man that puts that look on your face is worth holding on to.” Her sad smile wasn’t lost on Fitz.
“You’re pretty,” Theo said, and Fitz dropped his gaze to find Theo staring up at him with big brown eyes.
“I am? Why thank you. You’re a handsome fellow yourself.” Fitz tapped the end of Theo’s nose, making him giggle. “So young, and already he has fabulous taste.”
“Can I have some?” Theo tapped his lips, and it took Fitz a heartbeat to realize Theo was asking for his lip gloss.
“Oh, um…” Fitz turned to Chloe, who blinked, then giggled.
“If Fitz doesn’t mind sharing.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Fitz walked over to the little makeup bag on the counter and picked a clear lip gloss that smelled like strawberries. He unscrewed the lid and crouched down in front of Theo. “Let me help you.” He held his hand out, and Theo didn’t hesitate. He put his little hand in Fitz’s. With a smile, Fitz took his index finger and placed it in the gloss. “Now just tap it to your lips.”
Theo did as instructed, tapping the gloss to his lips oh-so very carefully. “It smells like strawberries,” he said, eyes wide and a huge smile.
“I know,” Fitz replied, unable to contain his smile. Theo was adorable. “Now go like this.” He demonstrated pressing his lips together, and Theo mimicked him. Theo clapped his hands excitedly, and Chloe laughed.
A knock on the doorframe had Fitz turning his smile to Saint. “Hey.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but do you mind if I make a quick phone call?”
“Of course not. Everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah. I just need to move my dinner reservations. Jack took Ryden off the schedule since he’s going to be here, but he’s running a bit late, so just need to make a quick call.”
“Oh my God, no. Just go.”
Saint shook his head. “Sorry, Fitz. But until Jack gets here, I’m on duty.”
“Saint, Jack just texted. He’s going to be here in, like, ten minutes. I’m home. It’s fine. I’ll make sure to lock up.”
Saint’s patient smile told Fitz he wasn’t going anywhere. “I appreciate it, really, but I’m going to wait.”
The lights went out in the room, and Theo cried, “Mommy!”
“It’s okay, baby. I’m right here.”
There was still plenty of light coming in from the rest of the house and the lights outside the window, but the last thing he wanted was to scare poor Theo.
“I’m so sorry,” Fitz said. “We just set this room up recently. Must be the wiring or something.”
“I’ll check the fuse box,” Saint said, voice gruff. “Fitz, can I talk to you a second?”
“Yes, of course. Chloe, why don’t you and Theo wait in the living room. I’ll be right there.”
Chloe and Theo left the room, and Fitz turned to Saint, the very dark and stern expression on his face scaring Fitz.
“What is it?”
“Probably nothing, but just in case, if I don’t come back in five minutes, call the police.”
Fitz’s pulse went through the roof. “You think it’s them?”
“I don’t know, so I won’t speculate. I’m here, okay. Just lock the door behind me. I’ll check the fuse box and be back in less than five minutes. If I’m not, call the police.”
Fitz nodded. He followed Saint to the front door, his hands shaking as