"We need to talk Winter."
Winter hesitated at the threshold, glancing back at Zara, who stood just inside the doorway with Leo in her arms.
"I'll be back soon," he assured her.
She didn't stop him. Her expression was unreadable, but her nod was all the permission he needed.
Leo squirmed in her arms, his chubby fingers stretching out toward Winter. "Go too! Wan' go too!"
Winter smiled, reaching over to ruffle the boy's dark curls. "Not this time, little man. Stay with your mom, alright?"
Leo's lower lip trembled, but Zara adjusted her grip, rocking him slightly. He pouted but settled with a small sniffle.
Behind Winter, Marcus, Ima, and Miles stood waiting, the door angled in a way that they couldn't see inside the room.
Winter smirked at him and then turned to his people. The teasing smirks on their faces told him all he needed to know.
"Shut up," he muttered before any of them could make a comment.
Miles chuckled. "Didn't say anything."
