“Then it’s trouble ahead for sure.” Molly moved toward the bedroom. “Showers and clean clothes, then we’ll meet back here to discuss dinner.”
“I could definitely use some food.” Drew headed outside and crossed the backyard.
The last four days, they’d settled into a comfortable routine. Nap time and evenings when Hazel was asleep had been spent prepping for Drew’s upcoming hearing. Drew would always return to his loft each night, alone, but no longer feeling lonely. Their afternoons had been spent walking around the park or playing in the backyard with Nala and her puppies. A volleyball rematch had occurred the prior evening. Once again, the women had won, so the tally for mystery dates organized by the men had now doubled.
Sophie had vowed to join the matches after the twins finally arrived, claiming she wanted a few mystery dates of her own.
The entire week had been fun-filled. And Drew had been upbeat. And happy. And every hour he spent with Molly and Hazel only made him want more time with them. He shook his head. He should be getting his head back into work mode. Instead he wanted to enjoy Molly and Hazel and the time they had together.
He supposed he should feel regret or guilt. Work came first. But no matter how deep he searched, he just kept discovering more layers of contentment.
Drew walked inside the Sawyers’ kitchen and called out Brooke’s name. Her reply came from the laundry room. He heard the showers on upstairs and assumed Dan and Wesley had already escaped to wash off the residual stains from their soccer game. “Okay if I use your guest bathroom?”
“Fine.” Brooke kept her gaze fixed on Nala’s puppies.
Brooke’s distracted tone pulled Drew farther into the laundry room. Nala greeted him with her customary tail wag and welcoming whine. “Something wrong?”
“Wish won’t eat her kibble.” Brooke nudged a small bowl closer to the puppy. The tiny dog dropped back on wobbly legs. Her brother Milo waddled over and began eating the water-soaked dry food.
“What now?” Wish, the smallest and most fragile, teetered and lay down beside her brother. Nala licked Wish’s face as if encouraging the puppy to eat, then shifted her all too expressive gaze to Drew as if requesting his help.
“A bottle in a quiet room for Wish.” Brooke opened a cabinet and pulled out her supplies. “When she tries to nurse, her siblings push her out of the way.”
“I can feed her at Molly’s.” Drew knelt, stroked his fingers over Wish’s head, then reached over to stroke Nala’s back for his regular rib-check. The mother dog had finally gained some much-needed weight. He’d been sneaking her extra treats whenever he visited. “It’s quiet and no sibling distractions for her there.”
“Would you mind?” Brooke asked. “I’ll get everything prepared while you shower. It’s family dinner night and Rick’s choice. We’re heading to Roadside Burgers soon.”
Family dinner. Drew supposed he was having something like that with Molly. More of that contentment widened his grin. “Get the cookie dough and extra whipped cream milkshake. It’s the best one there.” Drew headed toward the guest room. “I’ll be quick.”
Ten minutes later, his hair still damp and wearing fresh clothes, Drew made his way back to Molly’s apartment. A bottle of warm puppy formula in one hand, Wish cradled in the other. “We have company.”
Molly smiled from her seat at the kitchen table. Hazel sat in her high chair and shoved a macaroni noodle into her mouth.
Drew sat beside Molly at the table. “Wish isn’t taking to her kibble like everyone else. Brooke says she lost weight again.”
“We’ll get her eating.” Molly opened a jar of applesauce. Hazel bounced in her high chair. The little girl tossed her arms over her head, sending bits of macaroni airborne.
“Maybe we need to find a kibble flavor that Wish likes the same way Hazel loves applesauce.” Drew laughed. Dinnertime had become more than a necessity for Drew. With Hazel and Molly, it was an experience. From the conversation to food trials, he couldn’t remember when he’d looked forward to meals so much.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Molly dipped the silicone spoon into the jar. Hazel hummed. “But first, we need dinner ideas for ourselves. I’m starving.”
“Delivery or takeout?” Drew stroked his finger down Wish’s small head and made sure the puppy was still drinking.
“Delivery.” Molly touched her leg and looked at him. “I’m not the slightest bit ashamed to admit this is the most exercise I’ve done in so many consecutive days. I’m sore.”
“Understood.” Drew stretched the sore muscles in his neck and adjusted his hold on Wish and the bottle. “No judgment from me. I’m feeling the same as you.”
Molly flexed her legs. “Thank goodness I’m not the only one. I take it you weren’t using the treadmill in the office workout room on your breaks either.”
“I belong to the gym across the street from the DA offices.” Drew checked the amount of formula still left in the bottle. Wish was steadily and slowly drinking her dinner. Drew was steadily and slowly realizing he had to make his health another of his priorities. “I can tell you I walked by that gym almost every day, but going inside it did not happen as often as it should have.”
“I told myself I was going to get more fit once Hazel and I got settled here.” Molly scooped a spoonful of applesauce out of the jar and fed Hazel. “I think it’s important to be a healthy mom.”
Drew nodded. A healthy dad. He wanted to be that too. If and when he was a dad. “Maybe we should make an exercise deal.” And he could have one more excuse to spend time with Molly.
“Become accountability workout partners for each other.” Molly grinned.
Or just partners. That contentment leveled up. “Yeah, something like that.”
Molly held out her hand.
He switched his grip on
