Bedmates Soulmates

Austyn ordered clam chowder and julienne salad for Deborah, "Stealtor ribs?" he asked her.

Neither Just the salal's imme.'

'That's all' Austyn murned the leather-bound menu to the walter, 'You still remember what I Like Debord smiled after the water left.

She preferred her vegetables cut into short, thin strips. Austyn said nothing.

"Aren't you going to order anything for yourself?' Deborah asked.

I'm not hungry!

'Oh, you've already had lunch?

It was almost three o'clock in the afternoon

Did Austyn bring them here just for her and Alden?

He even picked a kid-friendly restaurant,

Deborah took that as a hopeful sign

No, I had a late breakfast with Kira.!

When he left the villa, Kiira was slumped in her chair, rubbing her belly and purring like a cat.

The image brought a single to his lips.

Deborali raught the smile,

The mention of Kira's name dealt a blow to her newly rekindled hope.

She chased a pumpkin seed around her plate with the fork, having lost her appetit

Abden munched on his bumper quietly

Austyn waited for the boy to finish eating

"Do you want to go play in the treehouse?' he asked Alden.

The boy's eyes lit up

He was already nodding hallway before he caught blinsell

He glanced towards Beborah, asking for permission.

honey! Deborah wiped his mouth with a servlette Austyn simmoned a walter, who took Alden outside.

Deborah watched Aiden through the glass wall.

His face was flushed with excitement as he climbed up to the treehouse.

When they were living in Trinidonia, Alden seldom got the chance to go out

Deborah didn't like her neighbours, which meant Alden got no playdates and was never invited to sleepovers.

Deborah turned back and came face to face with Austyn's solemn look

"What's wrong! She swallowed nervously.

"We need to talk.!

"Okay. Deborah clasped her hands together.

You took Aiden to see Kira?" Austyn's tone was interrogatory.

Deborah nodded

There was no point denying this.

"I ran into her at the hospital yesterday. She's the one who requested the meeting, actually,"

"You told her Aiden's my son?'

"She saw me with the boy and got curious, naturally. She would have found out eventually. So I told her."

"Who told you Aiden's my son?'

Deborah thought she'd misheard.

She recovered quickly from her shock

'Austyn, this is not funny,'

'I'm not joking" His face was serious, all businesslike.

Deborah was gripped by sudden panie.

Things seemed to be heading in a direction she couldn't control.

"You are Aiden's father,' she repeated. "That's a fact."

'And how do you know that?"

It took her a while to find her voice again. 'I'm his mother! Of course I know that'

"You're his mother, but that doesn't mean you know who his father is. One thing does not automatically lead to the other. Austyn, cool-headed, pointed out the fallacy in her logic. Deborah's face was crimson. 'Are you implying chea-

She caught herself

An inconceivable possibility was slowly dawning on her,

If Alden wasn't Austyn's son, then he must be...

Deborah shook her head vehemently and dismissed that idea.