Shay's lashes trembled.
"But," Lara added softly, brushing hair from the girl's face, "you can call me Mommy anytime you want, okay? Wherever. Whenever."
For a second, Shay just stared at her. Then she smiled—shy, but real.
Like that was enough.
Like Lara had just given her the whole world.
"Really?" Shay asked in a sweet voice. "Pinky promise?"
"Pinky promise."
Lara's big pinky finger curled slightly, hooked it around Shay's small one.
Something ugly twisted in Sarah's chest. She forced a smile, but it felt brittle.
Mommy? How could Shay call her that?
If anyone looked like they belonged beside their boss, it should be me.
My ex-boyfriend used to say so all the time. He called me gorgeous and said I had a killer figure, a dark beauty. Any rich man would be lucky to show me off.
Not some soft-faced nobody who showed up out of nowhere.
Sarah clasped her hands tighter, nails digging into her palms.
