Luca POV
I told myself I was concerned about the children.
That was the safest explanation.
Sophie had already cried at the thought of Riley leaving. Leo and Max were pretending not to care, which usually meant they cared more than they wanted anyone to know. The house had changed since Riley arrived. The children were calmer, happier, and more willing to speak honestly. Losing her would affect all three of them.
That was why the job offer bothered me.
It had nothing to do with the thought of Riley waking up in another house.
Nothing to do with someone else seeing her every morning.
Nothing to do with Daniel standing across from her in the café, smiling as though he had already imagined her becoming part of his life.
I repeated those lies until they became almost believable.
Then
