Blowing out a breath, I finally spoke. “I can’t help it. This is so surreal.”
“Enjoy it. Let’s toss those veggies on—”
“I can do it.”
“News flash, so can I. Let someone take care of you, Bexley.”
Later, I yelled for all the kids, and they came tumbling out of wherever they were hanging out and gathered around the table. Mara stared with wide eyes at Piper, taking in every movement, every syllable spoken. To say she was smitten was putting it lightly. Little A and Tyler laughed and joked while wolfing down burgers.
“These are good,” Little A said with a mouth full of French fries.
“Hey, buddy, chew your food,” Aston said sternly.
“We’re just boys,” Tyler said, defending his new friend.
“Who should chew their food,” I said, chiming in.
After swallowing and taking a swig of soda, Little A grinned. “The fries are good, though.”
“We never have these at home,” Mara said. “It’s always broccoli, and more broccoli.”
“Broccoli is important to stay healthy and grow. Tonight’s just a fun night. Like if we went out for pizza,” I said, defending myself.
Aston squeezed my knee under the table, and if I weren’t so nervous, the squeeze would have made other parts of me flutter. “Mara, Denise always makes you a healthy meal. If you want fries, we’ll plan to get some, but I think you probably have enough when you’re at the mall.”
Mara’s mouth dropped open. “Dad, that’s supposed to be a secret between Denise and me.”
“Then tell Denise not to put it on my credit card.”
This made Piper laugh, and I watched Aston take it all in. Her happiness appeared to consume him, and the smile stayed on his face. Then she proceeded to launch into a huge discussion about the mall—her favorite stores, the smoothies at the food court, and a jumpsuit she’d been wanting, but she was waiting for it to go on sale.
This time, it was my turn to squeeze Aston’s knee when he leaped into asking where it was from. He’d buy it for her at full price, right this second, if he could.
“American Eagle,” Piper said.
“Never heard of it,” Aston said.
“Oh, it’s jeans and shirts and sweaters and socks. Ya know, everything. All the cool kids wear it. It’s expensive, though. Mom took me for my birthday last year because I got a gift card.”
Aston pulled out his phone. “What’s it called again?”
“We don’t usually have phones at the table.” Piper looked at Aston, then me, and back to Aston.
“I’m sure we can make a quick exception. I want to make a note of this store. I’m getting to know Piper,” he said, turning to appeal to me.
“American Eagle,” Piper said again.
“Do you know it?” Aston looked at Mara while he typed.
She nodded. “Denise goes there for her niece.”
“Where have I been? I’ve never heard of it. Now that problem is solved.” He turned his phone so we could see he’d pulled up the website.
“Piper, why don’t you show Mara the jumpsuit?” As he passed the phone toward Piper, I made a mental note to speak with him later.
“Oh, that’s pretty.” Mara sighed at the screen once Piper had found the jumpsuit, and Aston reached for the phone.
“Let me see.”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “Mom, can we go play games? This is so boring.”
“Let them,” Aston said. “They ate. Loved it.”
“Clear your plates,” I said to the boys, and Little A gave me a confused look.
Uh-oh.
“Come on, let’s toss our dishes in the sink.” Tyler stood up, either not noticing Little A’s confusion or was pretending not to.
Little A watched Tyler, following suit, and off they went.
“Done!” Aston exclaimed, and I realized I’d missed the whole phone interaction while stalking Little A’s movements.
“Oh my God! Thank you!” Piper jumped up from her seat and threw her arms around Aston’s neck from behind. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek, the messy bun on top of her head falling forward, meeting Aston’s mussed hairline.
Aston closed his eyes as soon as her lips met his skin. A moment’s peace rolled over his face, smoothing all the lines in his forehead. He’d waited years for this. At least, that’s what I imagined.
Deciding to let the impulse purchase be for the moment, I told Piper, “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Mom, I can wear it to the dance! Misty Crawley is going to be so jealous.”
“Piper, that’s not a reason to be excited.” This type of attitude I wouldn’t tolerate. “Remember what I told you? I grew up wanting for everything, and it’s never fun to be that person.”
“Yeah, but Misty isn’t even nice.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, giving Piper a disapproving look. “You don’t know what’s going on in her life, so take it easy.”
Piper nodded and went about gathering her plate and Mara’s. “Bring the glasses,” she told Mara, who complied, although I suspected she’d never been told what to do.
“Let’s go paint your nails,” Piper said to Mara, and then turned to Aston. “Can we?”
“Sure,” he said. “Let them dry, Mar.”
With all the kids back to their earlier pursuits, Aston and I were left alone with the dirty dishes. I headed for the sink and turned the water on, and was rolling up my sleeves when he came up behind me, his arms sliding around my middle for the second time this evening.
“Let me do it,” he said, his voice rumbly.
“When was the last time you did dishes?” I turned to face him, and he swallowed my words with a kiss.
“It’s been a while, I admit,” he said, his lips brushing mine. “I’d like to get you someone to help here. This is all too much for you.”
“Stop. This is my life, my kids’ lives. Pitching in is how we do it.”
He brushed a strand of hair off my face and stared at me. “I don’t deserve you. I know I don’t. But I
