CHAPTER 39

Sure enough, there is a pink table with a lacy tablecloth, and four matching chairs. KY can't help KYSELF from smiling broadly at ISAAC. "That was nice of you."

"It was the least ISAAC could do for them—for all of you."

"This is a room fit for a princess," KY says, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable at the undertone in his voice. KY just doesn't get this man.

"Thanks for all this!" DEBORAH tweets as she skips over to them. L'OREAL nods before throwing herself at them to hug ISAAC's leg. "Thanks Mr. ISAAC!"

"Just ISAAC, kid." He tousles her head. "ISAAC is glad you're happy."

"You trying to get two DIEGO girls crushing on you?" KY teases in a dry tone. "Three."

"Three?"

"Yeah, you too." His voice brushes against KY'S ear, and KY shudders.

Remember, KY, this is all pretend…

"How about you, DAMON? Let's take a look at your room?" KY asks. KY opens the door and finds a room that is a six-year-old boy's dream. Especially one who loves puzzles and dinosaurs as much as DAMON does. KY can tell that he's still a bit wary of ISAAC after the Lucky Charms debacle, and he's trying not to get too excited, but the fact that his little body is trembling lets KY know that he is.

"ISAAC hopes it's okay," ISAAC tells him. "ISAAC knows you like this kind of thing, so ISAAC had the decorators do something special." They even bought him a giant stuffed dinosaur which KY knows he's going to love. "Make yourself at home, and we'll come get you in a bit."

"What? What are we going to do?" KY asks ISAAC. He smiles, tugging KY down the hall. "ISAAC wants to show you where you will be sleeping."

"Oh?"

ISAAC nods and pulls open the thick solid wood French doors. With a sudden tug, he hauls KY into the room, and KY'S jaw drops. The same wood paneling that lined the walls downstairs is found here, too, and the large windows let in as much natural light as can be allowed. A massive bed sits against one wall, with two nightstands on either side.

"This is wow," KY has to admit. KY'S eyes roam around the rest of the space. There's a long dresser, a full standing mirror, and two white velvet armchairs, but it's the chessboard between those armchairs that gets KY'S attention. It's different from the board they normally play on. This one looks custom.

"You like it?"

"Yeah, it's great."

And the smile on his face makes KY'S heart tremble in KY'S chest as he closes the distance between them. KY swallows around the lump in KY'S throat.

"If there's something you'd like to alter, let ISAAC know."

"No, it's fine."

"KYOLINE, this is your room as well."

"Oh, and here KY thought KY'd be sleeping alone."

"Not on your life, baby."

KY'S back is against the wall when he pushes KY backwards, and it's simple to overlook the fact that he's just acting.

"Get settled in, and ISAAC will see about dinner. The help is scarce. There is a maid who comes in each day and does the cleaning and laundry, and a gardener, but no cook. Though if you want one, tell ISAAC."

KY laughs. "No way. KY is a big girl. KY can make our dinner."

"Except tonight."

"Okay."

His lips graze KY'S neck, and KY temporarily forgets how to speak or breathe. That he's gotten KY'S body so wound up with anticipation is a problem, but with him leaned into KY and that smoky spice of him filling KY'S nostrils, KY doesn't especially care. He moves back after placing a lingering kiss on KY'S lips. The chill gobbles up the warmth of him, and he winks at KY and leaves the room. Once KY has helped the children unpack and stow away their things, KY does the same with KY'S things. KY has KY'S own walk-in closet in ISAAC's bedroom, and KY hangs up KY'S clothes, the dresses KY stole when KY was away and working for Winifred.

They're a reminder of an old life KY isn't ready to let go of yet.

And ISAAC won't need to go into KY'S closet, so what ISAAC doesn't know won't hurt him, right?

When the takeout arrives, they all go downstairs and gather around the large kitchen island. They eat and chat. DEBORAH and L'OREAL discuss whose room is better and how DEBORAH is going to do some amazing mural on the wall with spray paint. ISAAC just dismisses it, laughing easily with them.

"So, what's your room like, KY?" DEBORAH questions.

"Oh, you know, really luxurious." KY shrugs, shoving some food into KY'S mouth to avoid talking. KY does not want to talk about the bedroom arrangement, although the children will be viewing it soon enough. After dinner, they let the children run around and explore. It is Friday night, so KY lets them stay up a little later than usual, enjoying being with them again and listening to all their news.

At last, KY manages to get DAMON and L'OREAL upstairs for bath and bed.

Turning off the light to L'OREAL's bedroom, KY steps into the hallway. Everyone is in bed asleep except DEBORAH, who's on her cell phone talking with a friend.KY goes to his—their—bedroom and comes to a dead halt and shrieks. "What's going on?"

For staring back at KY is not just ISAAC but two other sets of piercing blue eyes."Meet Serial and Killer," ISAAC replies casually. KY takes a step back.