Herman let out a long sigh. "Look at him-he''s so tiny. Hitting him just feels like bullying. He can''t even put up a fight. I could have him on the floor with one hand.”


    Anastasiaughed. "Just wait twenty years and see if you can still take him. Actually, probably not even that long. Once Nancy hits fifteen or sixteen, you''ll be lucky if you can keep up with him at all. That''s why you have toy down thew while he''s young."


    Herman grinned. "That kid''s got an answer for everything. I nearly lost track of the conversation trying to keep up with him just now."


    As she foldedundry, Anastasia said, “At this age, their sense of right and wrong is really strong. It''s not worth trying to force your ideas on them."


    "That''s all because he''s spoiled," Herman muttered. "Pattie isn''t like that. And you know what? Carter''s son seems to have a thing for our Pattie. The little rascal has good taste, I''ll give him that."


    Anastasia thought of Lisa''s warning. "They''re just at the same school, don''t overthink it. Once Andrew moves up to middle school in a couple years, they''ll be in different grades, make new friends, and this will all be ancient history."


    “He might even have to repeat a year,” Herman said, a little baffled. "Both Carter and his wife are smart-top universities, the whole deal. How''d they end up with a kid who''s struggling so much?"


    Anastasia smiled. "You know how it goes-sometimes the best teachers have the wildest kids at home. That boy''s got a good heart, though. He''ll turn out just fine."


    "He''s got this sunshine energy," Herman said. "And there''s something maic about him. Not everyone has that—it''s what makes a real leader."


    Without that kind of pull, everyone''s just scattered and nothing gets done.


    One person can only do so much. In the end, it''s all about teamwork.


    "Where''s James these days, anyway?" Anastasia asked, remembering something Tavon had mentioned. "My dad wanted him to look at Ashley, then changed his mind. Now James is off at Nabb Mount, probably because something''s going on with the Morton family. Do you know what Sandy''s up to?"


    Herman yed it safe. "I only care about my woman. Why would I keep tabs on anyone else?"


    Anastasia just rolled her eyes.


    "Come on, let''s go eat," she said, putting thest of the folded clothes away and heading downstairs.


    Dinner was ready and waiting. Katelyn and Feiman weren''t home yet, but they''d be back to eat soon enough.


    Herman and Flynn had a few extra drinks at dinner. Flynn crashed in the guest room, while Salma insisted on heading home—she didn''t want to leave Cynthia alone.


    Anastasia had already hired a housekeeper to help with Cynthia, but Salma still liked to do most things herself.


    As night settled in, the house grew quiet.


    The kids had bathed and were getting ready for bed.


    Emmie loved sleeping with her big sister. She grabbed her little pillow and slipped into Paradise''s room.


    Nancy, clutching his pillow, sneaked into Anastasia''s bedroom. "Mom, can I sleep with you and Dad tonight? Dad said it''s okay."


    "Of course, sweetie, hop up,"


    Anastasia said, patting the bed. She adored cuddling her so he was SO soft and always smelled like


    Scontent belongs to


    Nancy grinned and scrambled into bed, burrowing under the covers.


    Herman came out of the bathroom, spotted the little stowaway, and remembered—


    toote-what he''d promised earlier.


    "Dad!" Nancy cheered.


    "Time for sleep," Herman said,


    already regretting his promise. He''d been looking forward to some alone


    time with Anastasia, but that n


    was definitely off.


    As he got in bed, Herman squeezed Anastasia''s waist, giving her a little hint to help hurry Nancy to sleep.


    Anastasia tried not tough.


    But Nancy was wide awake and kept begging for story after story.


    Herman nearly fell asleep waiting, then gave up and handed Nancy his phone.


    "Want to watch a cartoon for a bit, buddy?"


    Screen time was usually off-limits before bed, so Nancy was thrilled. "Can I watch the one with the cops and robbers?"


    “Sure thing.” Herman found the cartoon and handed it over.


    The bed was big, so Nancy sat at the headboard,pletely absorbed and giggling


    at the screen. It didn''t seem to bother Herman at all.


    He pulled Anastasia to the other side, slipped under the covers with her, and wasted no time.


    "You are unbelievable," Anastasia whispered, half amused, half exasperated at his impatience.


    Suddenly, Nancy looked over, curiosity all over his face. "Mom, Dad, what are you doing?"


    Anastasia froze, lost for words, but Herman stayed cool. “We''re just exercising, buddy. You enjoy your cartoon."


    Satisfied, Nancy went right back to watching.


    Anastasia couldn''t help but be


    ??


    amazed at Herman''sposure A little wine had made him especially bold and as things heated up Anastasia actually found herself tearing up.


    Nancy, still glued to his cartoon, piped up, "Mom, why are you crying?"


    Anastasia''s face turned bright red while Herman just smothered hisughter and kept going.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!