#Chapter 54: All Work and No Play

Aria Seeing Lucas look so heartbroken made my own heart break. Without thinking, I moved from my chair and knelt down to his height, opening my arms. “Hey, come here, kiddo,” I said softly. He hesitated for a moment before shuffling into my arms, still pouting and sniffling. “You really think I’d just stop hanging out with you? I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled back slightly, wiping his snotty nose with his sleeve. “Really? You’ll still play with me?” I nodded as I brushed a stray chestnut curl from his forehead. “Absolutely. In fact, I’ve grown pretty attached to you, Lucas. I think I’d miss you way too much if I stopped. So how about this—you and I can play together every day during lunch, upstairs in your playroom. And maybe even after work sometimes if you want.” A smile crept across his face, his eyes lighting up. “You mean it?” “Of course I mean it!” I grinned. “We’ll have plenty of time to play together. You’ll get sick of me before I’m ready