Chapter 89

Serena's POV

"So you're just going to let Eleanor's situation slide?" I asked, unable to completely mask my concern despite trying to keep my tone professional.

His reply came swiftly: "She'll handle it. If she can't, she knows where to find me."

The certainty in his response gave me pause. Lucas wasn't one to abandon responsibilities, and his confidence in Eleanor's ability to manage her own affairs made me reconsider my stance. Still, I couldn't help but feel a lingering worry.

I was about to return to my work when another message from him appeared: "We haven't seen each other since making things official."

My heart skipped a beat. Before I could formulate a response, he followed up: "Is this what Miss Sinclair meant by 'trying to date'? Virtual dating?"

The hint of complaint in his message made me smile despite myself. "Work doesn't feed itself," I typed back, trying to keep things light.

"Spiritual nourishment is just as essential as physical sustenance," came his swift reply.

"So I've been starving you?" I couldn't help but play along.

"Absolutely famished."

The conversation was veering into dangerous territory, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Thank goodness this was over text and not in person.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to redirect the conversation. "I miss Milo and Stella. Why don't we have dinner together tonight? We could bring kids. I'll try my best to leave work on time."

Minutes later, his response arrived: "Fine."

I bit back a smile at his obvious disappointment, even as I felt a small thrill of victory at my tactical maneuver. The children would provide the perfect buffer while allowing us to spend time together - a win-win solution if I'd ever seen one.

Returning my attention to work, I pulled up the details for the Manhattan TV station's reality show focused on celebrity styling. The competition would be fierce, with designers from across the country vying for spots, but the potential exposure for participating brands was undeniable. The station's shows consistently garnered high ratings, making this essentially free advertising too good to pass up.

Without much hesitation, I submitted my application for the designer selection process. The preliminary rounds would determine who got to work with the celebrities and participate in the actual show filming.

I was reviewing the quarterly reports when a familiar voice pierced through the afternoon silence. "Mommy!"

Looking up from my desk, I saw Milo bounding toward me, his school backpack bouncing with each step. Behind him, Stella followed at a more measured pace, her gray eyes-so like her father's-watching the scene unfold. Lucas stood in the doorway, his tall frame relaxed against the frame but his gaze intent on us.

I crouched down, opening my arms to catch Milo in a warm embrace. "How was school today, sweetheart?"

"We learned about dinosaurs!" Milo's excitement was contagious. "And I drew a T-Rex eating pizza!"

I noticed Stella hanging back, her small fingers playing with the hem of her uniform sweater. "Would you like a hug too, Stella?"

Her face lit up, though she tried to maintain her composure as she stepped forward. When both children were in my arms, I caught Lucas's expression changing-his brows drawing together slightly.

"Daddy's frowning!" Milo announced, pulling back to do an exaggerated impression of his father's expression.

Stella, ever perceptive, tugged gently at Lucas's hand. "Are you upset because we're all paying attention to Mommy?"

"Maybe Daddy's having his second adolescence," Milo declared with perfect innocence, causing me to burst into laughter.

Stella's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Or maybe Daddy wants a hug too."

Lucas's frown deepened, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "If you're all done analyzing my facial expressions," he said dryly, "we have dinner reservations at Jean-Georges."

The ride to the restaurant was filled with Milo's animated chatter about his day, while Stella occasionally added quiet corrections to her brother's more dramatic retellings. I noticed Lucas watching us through the rearview mirror, his eyes softening whenever they landed on the children-or me.

Jean-Georges was quiet when we arrived, the early evening light casting a warm glow. We had just settled into our usual corner booth when a familiar voice cut through our comfortable family moment.

"Lucas? What a surprise!"

I looked up to see a well-dressed young woman standing by our table, her surprise seeming a touch too rehearsed. Stella immediately shifted closer to her father, her small hand finding his beneath the table.

The woman excitedly introduced herself, "I'm Sophia Mitchell, Rachel Thorne's cousin. We met before when you and her were studying abroad together."

"She's coming back to Manhattan soon," Sophia continued, her eyes flickering between Lucas and me. "She mentioned how much she's looking forward to catching up."

I felt rather than saw Lucas tense beside me. "Ms. Mitchell," his voice was cool and dismissive, "we're about to have dinner."

"Of course, I wouldn't want to intrude." Sophia's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she glanced at me one last time before departing.

"Who's Rachel?" Milo asked innocently, reaching for his water glass.

"No one important," Lucas answered quickly-too quickly.

I caught Stella watching her father's face intently, her expression far too knowing for a child her age. She squeezed Lucas's hand and changed the subject, asking about dessert options with deliberate cheerfulness.

As we looked over the menus, I couldn't shake the feeling that Sophia's "chance" encounter was anything but random. Rachel's impending return felt like a storm cloud gathering on our horizon. But looking at Lucas helping Milo with his menu while Stella leaned contentedly against his arm, I pushed those thoughts aside.