Three years later

“YOU’LL BE OKAY?” Lisa nibbled on her lower lip as Tim held out his arms for Claire.

“He’s great with kids,” Ken said, passing their year-old daughter to the chef. They were in the dining room of Oxygen, where Tim slid into a chair, with Claire happily settled on his lap.

“I know.” She flashed Tim a rueful smile. “It’s just…”

“It’s just you don’t trust me.”

She laughed. “I do. It’s only…”

“My wife’s neurotic,” Ken said.

“This, I know.” Tim bounced Claire. “Is your mommy neurotic? Can you say neurotic?”

“Na ga,” Claire gurgled.

Ken squeezed her hand, and Lisa squeezed back. “Come on. We can do this. It’s a big night.”

She nodded. It was a huge night. The second movie she’d produced for Avenue F—after it landed the deal with Universal Studios—was up for best picture.

“And your limo’s not going to wait forever.” He stood, clutching Claire to his side. “Now go on. Your daughter and I want to see you up on that stage making one hell of an acceptance speech.” He turned to Ken. “And as soon as your mother-in-law gets in, I’ll pass Claire and concentrate on the post-ceremony party. There’s going to be a hell of a crowd here in a few hours.”

“Sorry the plane was delayed.”

“Not your problem. And it gives me the chance to bond with my goddaughter.” He nodded toward the door. “Now go.”

They did, and Lisa couldn’t keep her eyes off Ken as they took the stairs from the mezzanine to the lobby. He looked handsome in the tux, but he also looked proud, and she knew that look was for her.

“What?” he asked.

“What?”

“You’re staring.”

A smile touched her lips. “I just wanted to say thank-you.”

“For what?”

“For loving me. For being here.”

For three years they’d juggled careers—and a family—as she’d struggled to get Avenue F even more firmly on the map. As it turned out, being in Los Angeles helped, and Winston never let her forget that he’d been generous enough to suggest it.

Even now she was amazed that she could spread herself so thin. But she never felt thin. Not with Ken. Not with Claire. Not with work. They energized her. And she loved them all—her family most of all.

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for putting up with me.”

His laugh delighted her as always, and he pulled her close. “Sweetheart, I’ll put up with you forever. I love you, you know.”

She nodded. She did know. And, fortunately for her, she’d figured out what that meant before it was too late.

He helped her into the limo, then settled in next to her. “So, are you nervous?”

“Nervous?” she asked, even though she knew exactly what he meant.

“Tonight. It’s a big deal.”

She half shrugged. “It’s just an award, not that big a deal. Between you and Claire, I’ve already got everything I need.”

His arm closed around her shoulders and she leaned in close. “It’s a sweet sentiment, but you know I don’t believe you.”

She couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. He knew her so well. “I know.” She twisted in his arms to see his eyes. “And you know that’s one of the reasons I love you?”

He didn’t answer her, just kissed her, but she was more than happy to take that as a yes.