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Tyson was right behind hi white teeth—too straight and perfect to be anything but veneers—and brown skin He pureat old friends, and that Ben’s heart hadn’t been eviscerated, no rown apart

Ben nodded at Lincoln, still being held by Dee, who kept her gaze down “He’s really growing”

“Every day we notice soushed “It’s incredible”

Tyson asked, “Would you like to hold him?”

In the beat of aard silence, bile rose in Ben’s throat God, he did want to hold hie part of his life Raising and shaping and loving his kids, guiding their first steps, bandaging scraped knees, reading stories before bed and giving in as they begged for just one more

He wanted to explore the world with the the way his dad had Teach them to love the forests and lakes and mountains the way he did He wanted more from life than he had He wanted a family

Now Brad had one with Tyson Hoonderful for them

With all eyes on hiot work to do” But to prove it didn’t bother him—nope, not hi Dee’s syuy He’s beautiful”

Lincoln gurgled, and when Ben tapped his nose, Lincoln grabbed onto his index finger, his tiny, pudgy hand gripping with surprising strength Ignoring a pang of wistful longing echoing dully in his chest, Ben stepped away and suys on vacation?” He realized he was fisting his hands and forced his fingers to relax

“Just for a few days,” Tyson answered “I’ to New York next week to shoot a movie, so anted to make the rounds of all the offices and show off Lincoln like Brad promised everyone”

“Terrific,” Ben said too forcefully

Brad eyed him over a strained suest services I’ back more and more I can’t make any promises”

You never could “Sure, sure” The phone rang, and Ben practically lunged for his office “Dee, I’ll get it Catch you guys later!” He shut the door behind hiht on the phone to take what turned out to be a report of garbage dumped on the side of a road, which would draw bears

A few minutes later, there was a tentative knock at his door, and he forced an even, pleasant tone Nothing wrong with“Come in”

Dee filled the doorway “They’re gone”

Ben glanced back at his paperwork “Hmm? Oh, okay”