He chuckles, stepping back but keeping his gaze locked on me.“I’ll let you girls settle in. Mama has breakfast ready downstairs when you’re ready.”
Ethan leans against the doorframe, casual, relaxed, then smirks, turns, and closes the door behind him. My fingers curl around the edge of the quilt, trying to anchor myself. I take a deep breath, then start to look into the bags with Mia.
CHAPTER 6
Ethan
The next morning, I step out of my truck, a bag full of toys for Mia in one hand and a giant unicorn stuffed animal in the other. Making her blue eyes go wide has become an addiction I don’t even try to break. Every time she smiles, it feels like the world rights itself a little more.
The moment I walk into the house, the smell of my mama’s cinnamon buns wraps around me, warm sugar, butter, and home. Then I hear it: music, floating down from upstairs, faint and sweet like a secret I’m not supposed to hear.
Curious, I climb the steps two at a time. As I near Summer’s family rooms, the sound grows louder, bright and bouncy. The door is open, and I stop in the doorway, grinning before I can help myself.
Summer and Mia are dancing in their pajamas.
Mia’s bouncing on the bed, hair flying everywhere, wearing the princess-print pajamas I bought her yesterday. Summer’s in front of her bed, messy bun slipping loose, her soft pajamas hugging her curves in a way that makes my pulse trip. A comb in her hand doubles as a microphone as she sings along to Taylor Swift, her voice light and breathless with laughter.
They’re sunshine after the storm, so full of life that for a moment, it’s easy to forget that only two days ago, fire took everything they owned.
“Efan!” Mia spots me first. Her eyes go huge when she sees the unicorn.“You bought me a unicorn?”
She bolts toward me, and I barely set the bag down before she leaps into my arms. I catch her easily, her tiny arms tightening around my neck, warm and trusting.
“Mornin’, princess.” I kiss her cheek.“You like it?”
“I love it! Thank you, Efan!” she squeals, running her small hand through the unicorn’s rainbow mane. My chest tightens, melting like butter on a griddle.
“You didn’t have to,” Summer says softly.
She’s blushing, cheeks a warm rosy pink, clearly embarrassed I caught her mid-dance. Her shy smile feels like sunlight hitting the back of my neck, warm, gentle, and way too tempting.
I shrug.“Sorry to barge in like this. I heard the music and the giggles… couldn’t help myself.” My gaze sweeps over her before I can stop it, and a slow grin tugs at my mouth.“Morning, gorgeous.”
She looks away, wringing her hands a little, her voice barely above a whisper.“Good morning.”
“What’s in there?” Mia asks, pointing to the bag.
“Why don’t you open it and find out?” I nod toward it.
Mia dives in, gasping as she pulls out the first toy.“Mommy! Look!” She hugs the new doll tight.
“Ethan, this is too much,” Summer says, shaking her head.
“She lost all her toys in the fire,” I remind her with another shrug, trying to keep my tone light even though my chest feels tight at the memory.
“Mommy, there’s a puzzle and coloring books too!” Mia’s excitement builds with each treasure she pulls out, piling them around her like it’s Christmas morning.
“You’re spoiling her,” Summer murmurs, but there’s no real bite to it, just a quiet worry she carries like a second skin.
“Nah,” I say, smiling.“Just making sure she’s got what she needs.”
Summer doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t argue either.“Mia, what do we say when people give us gifts?” she asks, brow raised, full lips curved into a half smile. And God help me, the sight makes my breath catch. I want to lean in, close enough to taste that smile.
Mia tugs on my hand, snapping me out of the gutter my mind wandered into.
“Thank you, Efan.” She’s holding the coloring books to her little chest like they’re treasure.
“You’re welcome, princess.” I wink at her.
