Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
By the grace of God, I managed to keep a professional tone. “We can add both to the list of possible options.”
“Do you have thoughts on pies?” Wren flipped to another section in the book while also juggling their tablet. “Apple and pumpkin are the classics.”
“Actually, I can do those.” Eric seemed happy to have something to volunteer for. “My mother’s crust recipe might as well come in handy.”
“Count me in for helping peel apples.” No wink this time, but with luck, we could turn late-night pie-making into at least one stolen kiss. “And I’ve got a killer dessert brandy you could add in or serve alongside.”
“My mother would never.” Eric did an excellent job of pretending to be scandalized, complete with his hand on his heart. “I love the idea. Brandy apple pie it is.”
A timer beeped on Wren’s tablet, and they stood up, frizzy hair, cookbooks, and all.
“You guys can finalize the pie options. I’ve got a physics study group.”
“Excellent.” Eric did the same encouraging dad voice I’d found myself using a time or twenty. “I’m so glad you’re making friends at the high school.”
“Friends?” Wren gave a rather murderous grin. “Sparring partners. Competition for the top GPA slot. Excellent cannon fodder in Dungeons and Dragons. But sure, let’s go with friends.”
“Still happy,” Eric called after them as they made their way up the back stairs. John had already made himself scarce, and Maren had retreated downstairs to rest after Diesel left.
“Alone at last.” I waggled my eyebrows at Eric. “I’d say it’s exactly as I planned it, but the dinner invite and dog-napping were all on your kids. I was going to come around later after dinner and homework time to see if you were in the mood for a movie.”
“Always.” Eric glanced at the back stairs before adding some warmth to his smile. “And sorry Wren nabbed your dogs again. I can talk to them about the difference between checking on them for you and borrowing the dogs.”
I’d worked out a similar deal with Wren to the one I’d had with Shelby, where on longer days, Wren would check the water and food situation and make sure the dogs had access to the dog run. Inevitably, the dogs ended up back at the main house—either Wren, Maren, or occasionally Diesel’s doing.
“Nah. If Wren likes the company after school, I’m certainly not going to deny them or the dogs that fun. Even if they are getting rounder and lazier.” I reached down and gave both dogs pets. Naturally, they’d stuck close by for the cleaning, available to catch any stray crumbs.
“I’ll tell Wren to cut back on the puppy treats.” Eric said this with no trace of irony as he handed out treats from a jar on the counter. A jar, one might point out, that he had purchased and filled.
“Don’t think Wren’s the only one who needs that lecture.”
“Maybe not.” Eric was adorable when he blushed, so I leaned in for a sneaky kiss. However, he waved me off at the last second. “We probably shouldn’t risk it with an awake house.”
“I know.” I kept my tone agreeable, but inside, I wondered if others knowing we were the sort of friends who occasionally kissed would be so bad. I was already over a lot, and the kids, including Diesel, knew we watched TV together occasionally. In many ways, things would be easier if we were simply more open, but Eric tensed at the mere suggestion of seriousness, so I simply said, “I’ll keep a respectable distance for the movie.”
“At least until bedtime.” Eric’s voice was a whisper, but his heated look was a roar. And that right there was why I kept coming back, despite his continued insistence this was a casual fling. It was also my most successful relationship to date, secrecy notwithstanding.
“Better plan on a double-header.” I matched his look with one of my own.
“Already on it.” Eric headed toward the living room, looking back over his shoulder. “I’m thinking a deep dive into nineties takes on class reunion comedies.”
“Perfect.” And this really was. A whole family to come home to, happy dogs, happy kids, happy person to cuddle with on the couch. Happy me. I wanted more nights exactly like this, and if sneaking around was the price to pay, so be it.
Chapter Twenty
Eric
Thanksgiving dawned cold and clear and far too early. I’d been up late finishing pies with Magnus’s help. We’d had a wonderful, brandy-fueled night topped with sneaky shower fun, but now I had a house full of people and meal prep was in full swing. No time for thinking about brandy-laced kisses, roving hands, or anything other than getting all the varied dishes done on time.
But even without the possibility of stolen kisses, Magnus and I worked together all morning in orchestrated perfection, as easy as if we’d done this for years. Which would be unsettling, but I’d made a conscious decision to relax and enjoy. No point in adding the stress of deep thinking to our day.