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“Aw, man.” Aiden slumps forward in his seat, resting his chin on his fist.

I can’t stand the dejected look on his face, stepping in despite my earlier hesitation, “I really don’t mind, Liam. If it’s ok with you, I mean.”

“Are you sure? I know it’s a lot to ask. Everyone is going to want a piece of you.”

More importantly, do you want a piece of me?

“I know most of the people in this town,” I say. “They won’t bother me. Besides, I can handle myself around a crowd. I’m happy to do it, if that’s what Aiden wants.”

Liam slides two steaming plates piled high with cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in front of us. I’m already salivating in anticipation—and not just because of breakfast.

“Alright. If you’re sure,” he says.

I nod, devouring the first bite of eggs. An involuntary moan slips past my lips, and I don’t miss the way Liam gently bites down on his bottom lip before turning back to the stove.

It’s like breakfast and a show as Liam cleans up around the kitchen. Could I kidnap him? Keep him in my penthouse like some reverse Cinderella, so he can wait on me shirtless? No. That story never ends well for the captor.

Just as I’m finishing the last of my toast, he returns to the island with a thick green drink. Must be a protein smoothie of some kind. I reach for my plate to take it to the dishwasher, but Liam grabs it first.

“I’ll take it,” he says. “Need a refill on your caffeinated sugar water?”

I maneuver the coffee mug in my hand so I can discreetly flip him the bird, and down the rest of the drink in one gulp. “Nope.”

He shakes his head and snags the mug from my hand, adding to the stack of dishes.

Aiden finishes quickly and darts off to his room to get ready, muttering something about someone named Jerry along the way.

Once Aiden’s out of sight, Liam says, “You really don’t have to come. I’ve fallen victim to Aiden’s puppy dog eyes more than once, so I get it, but I can tell him you’re not feeling well.”

I place my hand on Liam’s forearm, hoping he’ll feel my sincerity. “I want to be there.”

“Ok.” He chugs the rest of the disgusting-looking sludge and loads the mug into the dishwasher with the rest of our dirty dishes. “I’ll just throw on a shirt.”

“Thank god. Wouldn’t wanna distract the moms at drop off,” I mutter under my breath as he turns the corner.

Proving me wrong once again, Liam returns in a green t-shirt that leaves very little to the imagination and will most definitely distracteveryoneat drop off. Does he buy them a size too small?

Aiden is hot on his heels, clutching his backpack in his fist. It’s massive compared to his small stature, and his mass of red curls bounce as he skips into the entryway.

“Ready?” he asks, his bright green eyes alight with excitement.

I motion for him to get ahead of me. “Lead the way, little man.”

The drive to the elementary school is short, but the drop-off line curves all the way around the parking lot. Aidentells me about the elusive Jerry, who, as it turns out, is a bunny. I don’t know what I was expecting, but Liam having a pet bunny was not on my bingo card.

As we inch closer to the entrance where the teachers are greeting kids on the sidewalk, I recognize a few familiar faces. Ivy is there with Rylin, and Aiden immediately perks up when he spots them. “Daddy! It’s Ry Ry. Can I go now?”

“Sure, buddy. I’ll come around and help you out.”

“I’ve got him.” I tug off the seatbelt and hop out of the truck. A few hushed whispers reach my ears, but I ignore them and catch Aiden when he jumps down. He clings to my hand, tugging me toward Ivy and Rylin.

“Aiden!” Rylin squeals, barreling toward us.

He lets go of my hand and catches her in the most adorable hug I’ve ever witnessed. When she lets go, Aiden looks at me and says, “Ry Ry is my best friend in the whole world.”

And like that, I’m reduced to nothing more than a puddle on the sidewalk.

“That’s my Auntie Ruby,” Rylin says, hugging my legs.