Come over for a quick breakfast? I know we both have work today, but I make a mean scrambled eggs.
Three dots appear, disappear, then reappear.
Give me 20 minutes to shower and look semi-human.
I huff a laugh. She probably looks incredible right now, all sleepy-eyed and tousled. Certainly sexy as hell.
You always look beautiful. But take your time. I'll start the coffee.
“Uncle Logan, look!” Violet squeals. “I'm like Cookie!”
Cookie’s crown is still askew, and if dogs could look smug, she's absolutely mastered it. She knows exactly how ridiculous she looks and couldn't care less.
I can't help but laugh. “I see that, sweetpea. You're both naturals.” I step back, gesturing toward the stairs. “But we should let Cookie out so she can use the bathroom.”
“We already went outside.”
Those four words stop me cold. I drag in a slow, deliberate breath, fighting to keep my voice steady, to not panic or snap. This is the second time Violet's slipped outside while I was asleep. That I know of, anyway.
“Violet Lynn,” I begin, keeping my voice firm as I step carefully around the stuffed animal circle. “You went outside by yourself in the dark again?”
Her bottom lip quivers, but she nods. “Cookie was with me and we only went in the backyard.”
Cookie lets out a soft whine but doesn't move. She can sense my displeasure and wants to protect her best friend.
That settles it—I need an alarm system installed immediately. Not to keep intruders out, but to keep Violet from wandering off in the middle of the night.
“That's still not all right.” I crouch down to her level and smooth my hand over her hair. “You could've gotten hurt, and I wouldn't have known. No one would.” I cup her face gently in both hands. “That would make me very sad, sweetpea. Promise me you won't do it again.”
“I promise.” She sniffles, and I brush away a tear with my thumb.
“I love you.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I'm making eggs for breakfast, and Aunt Heather is coming over. You two finish up here, then get dressed and come downstairs.”
“Okay!”
I head to the kitchen and get to work. Within minutes, the coffee's brewing, the eggs are whisked, and bread is browning in the toaster. I even find some fresh fruit in the fridge to slice up. Violet and Cookie have claimed the couch in the living room, tangled together and watching cartoons.
The routine of it all should feel foreign, but it doesn't. It feels exactly right. Natural.
This is what I want—this life, this peace, this strange and perfect little family taking shape around me.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, a soft knock sounds at the door. I open it and my mouth goes dry. Heather is in a pair of jeans that hug her curves and a soft green top that makes her hazel eyes look nearly emerald. Her hair's still damp from the shower, and she smells like something floral and fresh. I want to pull her close and continue where we stopped last night.
“Good morning,” she says, her voice breathless.
“Morning.” I'm grinning like an idiot and can't help dragging her close for a quick kiss. She makes a soft sound into my mouth as her lips part under mine.
“Aunt Heather!” Violet's voice rings out from the living room. We spring apart like teenagers caught making out behind the bleachers. “Come see! Cookie taught me a new trick!”
“I need to apologize in advance…” Before I can second-guess myself, I back Heather gently against the wall and cup her face. I capture her lips with mine, soft at first, then deeper until she melts into me with a quiet sigh. Her hands twist into my shirt, and I kiss her the way I'd imagined doing all night.
“Logan.” She hums, and the sound vibrates straight through me, settling low in my gut.
“Mmmm?” My lips drift to her neck, savoring the softness of her skin, the clean floral scent of her.
“We should... Violet...” Even as she protests, she sighs and tilts her head, offering more.
“Is occupied with Cookie,” I murmur, brushing kisses along her jaw. “And I've been thinking about this since last night, wishing we hadn’t stopped.”
