Ethan remained on the diving board with his arms folded.

“You will obey me! Or else, I’ll—”

“Don’t you dare,” I interrupted, stepping between them. “You don’t get to raise your voice at these children. Not after everything.”

“They’re my kids too!”

Only then did Jordan realize every neighbor was watching.

Every guest had gone silent.

“Get off my property, Jordan.”

He opened his mouth.

Then thought better of it.

He walked away, leaving the gift box behind.

Someone near the grill muttered quietly.

Another neighbor slowly shook his head.

For the first time in months, I could breathe freely.

Clark was still standing beside me.

His job had technically ended.

Yet he hadn’t moved.

Our hands brushed.

Neither of us stepped away.

Ethan hurried over.

“I’m better than okay, sweetheart.”

Clark waited until conversations slowly resumed.

Then he smiled.

“Looks like my contract officially ended five minutes ago.”

I laughed.

He looked at me carefully.

“Only if you want me to.”

My cheeks warmed.

“I spent months believing no decent man could ever look at me the way you pretended to today.”

Clark smiled.

“What?”

“I wasn’t pretending nearly as much as you think.”

For a moment, I could only stare at him.