“Need a hand with anything?” I ask.
“Just carry the bread, darling,” Lily says, handing me a basket still warm from the oven.“Everything else is almost ready.”
I nod and step out of the kitchen.
The front door opens, and Dex walks in, followed by Ethan, still in his fireman uniform. Do they design those to make women fall at their feet? Then again, Ethan could walk in dressed as a clown and still look… edible.
Summer, head out of the gutter. NOW!
“Evenin’, Summer.” Dex hugs me, then slips into the kitchen to hug his mom.
“I like you in blue,” Ethan smiles, his laugh lines making an appearance.
“Oh.” I look down at the blue sweater dress I’m wearing, another thing Penny convinced me to buy at the mall.“Thanks,” I whisper, and turn to walk over to the table to set the bread down.
“That dress looks good on you, Summer.” I turn to find Dex’s eyes on me. Suddenly, a couch pillow flies, hitting him square in the face.
“What?” Dex shrugs at a glaring Ethan.“Just telling the truth.” He winks at me.
I fidget with the hem of my dress.
“Ow! That hurt, you asshole!” Dex yells. I look up and see Ethan pull his elbow out of Dex’s side. Cas snickers, Josh smiles. I shake my head, trying not to laugh.
When dinner is ready, I help Lily carry it all to the table, platters of roasted vegetables, steaming bread, and chicken, fragrant with rosemary and butter.
There’s only one place left, right between Mia and Ethan. I take a deep breath and slide in.
“Mommy, I saved you a pace!” Mia beams, patting the chair beside her. I sit down and kiss her soft cheek.
“Place, pumpkin. And thank you.”
Mia beams proudly. Ethan’s sandalwood-and-spice scent surrounds me as I lean back in my chair.
“Ethan, why don’t you say grace tonight?” Josh asks.
“Uh, sure,” Ethan nods.
We all bow our heads. It was strange at first, my parents weren’t the praying kind, but it has grown on me. Mia even asks me to pray with her every night before I sing her lullaby.
As soon as Ethan finishes, we dig in.
“Mommy, look!” Mia points at her napkin. It’s pink, with a princess on it.“Efan bought it for me.” She beams at him.
“You didn’t have to do that. You’re spoiling her.” I try not to stare at Ethan’s forest-green eyes.
“Every princess needs a princess napkin.” He winks at Mia, then back at me. My heartbeat picks up.
“I saw them while I was Christmas shopping and I couldn’t not buy them for her.”
Kevin never bought her anything, he just threw his black card at me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, forcing myself to look away.
“No problem. I love making her happy.”
I don’t respond.
“Hey, I heard there’s a meteor shower tonight,” Grace says.
