Professor Astor (Off-Limits)

I squint at my laptop as I try to remember what source I pulled this line of data from. Why would I not have saved the reference straight away? It could take me hours to track that down. I groan and run a hand through my hair. I’m so close to finishing my dissertation, yet it still feels so far away too.

I welcome the distraction when my phone buzzes, hoping it’s either Amara or Thor. Instead, it’s the kids’ school. My heart drops as memories of last time flood my mind. God, I hope the kids are okay. Please, don’t let them have gotten into another fight — especially not when their mother is here, without a doubt silently judging Thor’s parenting skills.

“Hi, Ms. Sital. Colton has a fever and we advise that you pick him up. He’s not been feeling too well.”

I check my watch. It’s only ten in the morning. How could he have been sent to school at all if he’s feeling unwell? “I’ll be right there,” I tell her, rushing to grab my bag.

I text Thor before stepping into my car, my nerves creeping up on me. I hope he’s okay. Colton is so incredibly strong, but everyone is different when they’re sick. I always turn into the biggest baby when I’m sick, and I worry Colt might be the same. I’m worried that he needs me, and I’m not there.

By the time I reach the school, I’m shaking with worry. I can’t remember which medication we have in the house, and I’m not sure what he needs. I need to call Noah as soon as possible. I need him to come look at Colton.

My heart breaks when I see Colton lying down on a row of seats outside the Dean’s office, covered in several blankets. “Colt?” My voice is high-pitched, betraying the worry I feel.

He looks up, his eyes widening when he sees me. He sits up, and I try my hardest to calm my racing heart. He’s pale, and he’s sweating.

“You came to get me? You’re here for me?”

I place my hand on his forehead, only to find him burning up. “Of course, my sweet boy. How could I not be here when you aren’t well?”

He throws his arms around my neck, a sob escaping his lips. I tighten my grip on him and hug him back. “What’s going on, Colt?” I ask, my voice soft. “Are you hurt somewhere?”

He nods, and I pull away from him to check him over, my hands on his shoulders. “Where, my love? Where does it hurt?”

He places his hand on his heart and looks into my eyes. “Here. It hurts here, Leia, because I missed you so much. I thought you left me because Mum came back.”

I swallow hard, trying my hardest to keep from crying. This boy… oh man. “I’m so sorry, Colt. I’m sorry. I should’ve explained to you that your mother would be taking you to school and picking you up, and that she’d be looking after you. I should’ve told you that it’d only be for a few weeks. I didn’t explain properly, and I’m sorry, Colt. I would never abandon you. Never.”

“Do you promise?” he asks, tears streaming down his cheeks.

I wipe them away with my thumbs and nod. “I promise. So long as your dad allows me to be in your life, I will be there.”

He nods and throws himself back at me, hugging me tightly. The two of us walk through the hallway like that, with Colt and I clinging to each other for dear life.

I almost wish the walk to the car was longer, so I wouldn’t have to put him down. “Come on, my love,” I say, placing him in the passenger seat gently. He looks drowsy and exhausted. It’s clear he needs lots of rest. His eyes droop as I buckle him in and I press a quick kiss to his forehead.

As I get behind the wheel, realization dawns. I’m about to meet Thor’s ex-wife, and I’m not sure I’m ready. I certainly didn’t expect to meet her under these circumstances.

I hesitate for a split second before calling Noah to request that he meet me at Thor’s house. I can’t get my racing heart to calm. I need a doctor to look Colton over, and who better than my best friend’s husband?

I’m nervous as I carry Colton toward the house, unlocking the door clumsily. My darling boy is heavier than he looks.

“Adrian! You’re home already?”

I pause in the hallway, and so does the tall blonde dressed in nothing but a silk nightgown that barely covers her. Is that how she’s been walking around the house this entire time?

“Who are you?” she asks, and irritation washes over me. Why isn’t she rushing over to check up on Colton?

“Leia Sital,” I tell her.

“Oh, the nanny,” she tells me, her eyes finally settling on Colton.

I ignore her and walk toward the staircase. “Colton has a fever,” I tell her. “I picked him up from school.”

She follows me and watches as I put him to bed, making no effort to help me lift the covers.

“Make sure you cool him down,” she tells me. “Use a small towel and place that on his forehead, refreshing it every few minutes.”

I nod, even though her words make the hairs on my back rise. She’s the type of mother I’ve had to deal with many times as a nanny, but somehow I was hoping she’d be different. “Sure,” I tell her, struggling to push down my annoyance. What Colton needs is love, not a hands-off approach. He needs his mother, not his nanny. How can she stand there and withhold the love he so desperately needs?

I jump up when the doorbell rings and walk past her. She follows me down the stairs instead of staying to watch Colton, and my opinion of her plummets further.

Noah smiles at me reassuringly as I let him in. “Hey,” he says, patting my head because he knows I hate it when he does that.

“Excuse me,” Alice says. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I don’t allow unexpected strangers into my house.”

Noah glances at her and frowns. “Good thing this isn’t your house, then, isn’t it?” He glances at me and tips his head toward her. “Who is she?”

I purse my lips to suppress a smile and slightly shake my head, indicating not to rile her up. Noah is surprisingly good at getting on people’s nerves while acting clueless. He’s the perfect match for Amara.

“This is Dr. Noah Grant,” I tell Alice, smiling apologetically before turning back to Noah. “Can you please take a look at Colton?”

He nods and follows me, but Alice holds her hands up. “Hold on. You’re not seeing my son without my say-so. I don’t care if you’re allegedly a doctor. I don’t know you.”

I nod, understanding her stance, and grateful that she’s finally looking out for Colton. She’s right, of course. She just met me, and though she might have heard of me, it’s unlikely she’d have heard of Noah.

“Lady, I don’t even know who you are, but you aren’t keeping me from checking up on my nephew.”

He walks past her, and I blink, realization dawning. How did I even forget? “He, uh, he’s Amara’s husband,” I explain. “Amara is Adrian’s cousin.”

She looks at me sharply. “I know who Amara is,” she snaps. Something about the way she looks at me doesn’t sit well with me, but I dismiss it as I walk up the stairs.

“He’s going to be okay, Leia. Honestly, when you called me, I thought the kid must’ve lost a leg or something. You were barely making sense, but it’s just a regular good old flu. It’s going around right now. Give him plenty of fluids and plenty of hugs. Make sure you keep him cool too, but other than that, he’s fine.”

I breathe a sigh of relief and sit down beside Colton as Noah packs up his stuff and writes me a prescription. I push Colton’s hair out of his face gently, and he smiles at me. “You hear that?” I ask him. “Uncle Noah says you’re going to be fine.”

He smiles at me and nods. “I knew that, Ley. I’ve been sick before, you know? I’m not a kid anymore.”

I chuckle and nod. “Yes, my little man. I hear you.”

Noah’s phone rings, and he sighs. “I need to take this, Ley. Amara’s grandfather does not like to be kept waiting. I’ll see you later, okay?” He picks up his phone and winks at me before walking out.

“You know what?” Alice says as soon as we’re alone again. “I’ll take it from here. You can go home.”

Colton tenses and grabs my hand, his gaze pleading. “Don’t leave, Ley,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. “You promised.”

“Colton,” Alice says, her tone admonishing. “Don’t bother the nanny. We don’t need her now that I’m here, sweetheart.”

Colton bursts into tears, and I pull him into me, letting him bury his face in my hair. “Don’t go,” he sobs, and I nod, tears filling my own eyes.

“Don’t make him false promises,” she warns me. “Just go. I’ll take it from here.”

I shake my head. “No. If he wants me to stay, I’m staying. I won’t leave him. Not now.”

“Excuse me?” she says, her tone indignant.

“Alice.” I breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of Thor’s voice. “Didn’t you hear her? If she said she’s staying, she’s staying.”