“Absolutely, my girl.” I tapped on my phone until one of Chris Stapleton’s albums came up and turned the volume to low, letting it fill up the kitchen. Nodding my head, seeing that Addie was doing the same, I let the music fill me.
We moved with the ease born of many times cooking together. Addie was an expert stirrer—her words, not mine. She sat there, manning the mixer, while I added our ingredients. We whipped together the batch of muffins while the oven preheated. As the last bit of batter was placed in the muffin tin and I slid them in the oven, I heard a throat clear behind me.
Turning, I saw Jake in the doorway. He was leaning against one side of the doorframe, his legs crossed at the ankles, as he watched us. I wondered how long he’d been standing there. The look on his face was softer than I’d seen. I began to say something, but Addie beat me to it.
“Jakey!” she screeched, holding her arms out to him. Oh, my heart. He crossed to her, scooped her up off the counter, and swung her to his hip. Damn. Maybe it was good that we weren’t doing anything romantic. That way she could have him in her life without having to worry about the two of us breaking up. Right? Right.
His voice was thick, likely from the hard nap. “Did you get some sleep, peanut?”
“I did, but you and Drew were still napping, so I colored.”
He nodded, like he was considering what she said with the seriousness not everyone gave to a four-year-old. Damn if that didn’t make me want to hug him. And maybe kiss him. Once or twice. Yeah, I know.
“What are you making with your momma?” he asked as he scanned the dishes scattered over the counter, then met my eyes. His smile was warm, and I wanted to melt into it.
“Chocolate Chocolate Chip muffins,” I whispered.
“Momma, that was supposed to be a secret!” Addie spoke from her spot on his hip.
I looked at her in confusion. When did we decide that?
Drew spoke up from the door. “No worries, Addie. I’ll take a muffin anywhere, anytime.”
Jake shook his head. “Drew…,” he cautioned.
“Not how I meant it, man. Not my fault your head is in the gutter.” Drew moved toward the fridge. “Addie, do you mind if I have a beer?” He grinned at her, but then looked at me. I nodded permission.
“Drew, we don’t need to stay. I’m sure these two have things they need to do,” Jake said, moving to the counter near me to let Addie down.
“Momma,” Addie began in a singsong voice. I knew where she’d be going with this. She loved having people over, and we didn’t do it often enough for her. But that thought was derailed when I looked down at Jake’s hand, wrapped around Addie as he lowered her to her previous spot on the counter.
Grabbing his hand, I turned it over in mine. “What’s this?”
Drew immediately began to laugh.
I watched Jake’s face in fascination as his cheeks got a bit red and he stammered, “Well, Addie asked, and I thought…”
Drew interrupted, “Addie wanted to play beauty shop.” His voice was heavy with amusement.
“I painted the big boys’ nails, Momma! Doesn’t it look good?” Addie was positively giddy on the counter, doing her shimmy back and forth as well as she could when seated.
I raised an eyebrow at Jake as I gestured for him to give me both his hands. Yep, sure enough, ten fingers in a beautiful sparkly pink. “Absolutely looks beautiful, Ads.” I said, knowing my shit-eating grin was on my face, but I was powerless to stop it.
“Don’t leave my gorgeous hands out, Bookstore Ivy. They’re pretty hot too, right?” Drew moved closer to me, showing me his hands as well, done up the same as Jake. “Can’t dim my manly light, painted nails or not.”
I laughed and started to reach for him so I could examine his as well, but Jake hip checked him and gave him a look that expressed his displeasure. “Watch it, Andrew.” His voice was gruff, delicious.
That was interesting.
Drew’s smile increased. “Oh, I can’t wait to chat with Steph today,” he said nonsensically.
“Sh— I mean knock it off,” Jake growled.
The amount of testosterone in my kitchen was impressive. Time to take charge and balance it out.
I clapped my hands. “Okay,boys.” I emphasized that word, and Jake made a face. “This is how it’s going to go. If you’d like to stay for dinner, you’re welcome to. We’re having homemade pizza. Muffins will be ready shortly. Pizza in a few hours. There’s beer in the fridge. Help yourself, then relax. You’re guests in our house.”
Drew nodded and immediately moved to the fridge, making himself at home. He opened the door, then glanced inside before looking at me. “Anything you want me to save for you?” he asked, gesturing.
