“This is the best ever,” Luke says through a very full mouth. “Like, my new favorite, Dad.”
“That’s good, but try to chew and swallow before you talk next time.” Ryder smiles, making even the correction seem loving. Then he looks at me, a fork poised over his plate. “So, this smells amazing.”
I spear a single ravioli and smile. “Tastes even better.”
Cora drops a fry on the front of her shirt and leaves a massive ketchup streak on the pale pink top she’s wearing. She picks up the fry from where it fell between her legs and sticks it back into her mouth.
“Oh,” I say, a little grossed out, a little impressed. “Should I get, like, a wet wipe or something?” I ask, pointing to the stain.
Ryder shakes his head. “Did anybody really eat if there’s no visible proof on the front of at least one shirt?”
I chuckle and watch Ryder. He widens his eyes, chews, then rubs his face with a hand. “That might literally be the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life,” he says. “What’s in it?”
I nod, then take a bite of my own, letting the meatball mixture inside the ravioli linger on my tongue. “Spinach, pork, beef, and three types of cheese. Super freakin’ good, right?”
Ryder watches as I eat, licking the remnants of sauce from my lips. “Super freakin’ amazing,” he agrees.
Within a few seconds of our finishing eating, my brother hustles up to the table wearing a long-sleeved double-breasted chef’s jacket embroidered with his name.
“Hey, Gracie. I didn’t know you were coming for lunch. You should’ve texted.” He leans over and kisses my cheek, then extends a hand to Ryder. “Nice to meet you, man. I’m Benito Bianchi.”
Ryder introduces himself, standing and pumping Benny’s hand vigorously. “Pleasure to meet you. I was just telling your sister this may be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
Benny’s grin is sly, and he points at me. “Get your phone and record that,” he says. “I want bragging rights with Pops.”
I shove my brother away. “Your ego’s big enough. Let us eat before your personality ruins the meal.” I stick out my tongue at him playfully, which makes both Luke and Cora laugh.
“Hey.” Benny points at the kids. “Can I send over a little something for after the meal? Any dietary no-no’s here?”
My brother has owned a family-style restaurant long enough to be a master at discreetly asking if he can send over some dessert for the kids. No faster way to annoy a customer than to offer something the parents don’t want or don’t allow.
“Anything’s fine,” Ryder says. “Thanks again, man. Absolutely delicious.”
Before he leaves, Benny bends down and stage-whispers in a voice so loud, I’m sure the whole terrace hears him. “Enjoy your lunchdate, little sis.”
I shake my head, mindful of the fact that if I smack him, I’m setting a bad example for Luke and Cora.
I’m just about to take a sip of water when I feel a hot set of eyes boring into me. I peek over at my mom, and she waves like a child, all giddy and big smiles.
I groan and drop my face into my hand. “Welcome to Star Falls.”
6
RYDER
After I tuckthe kids into bed for the night, I settle in front of the TV and fall asleep. I don’t mean to, but it’s a habit I can’t seem to break. Every morning I set my alarm, so I have at least an hour before either of them wakes up. It may seem like a small thing, but getting a first cup of coffee and a shower with minimal interruptions is a major indulgence.
Not that I don’t love having little kids. I love those two more than anything in the world. I wouldn’t change a thing about being Luke and Cora’s dad. Except, of course, being a single parent. Doing this without a partner. My wife. Their mother. Complete shitshow.
The time flickers across the screen, reminding me in black-and-white that it’s nearly nine. I massage the crick out of my neck before checking Cora on the baby monitor. She’s far too old to need it anymore, but I set it up after we moved to Star Falls while she got used to a new room.
I think it made us both feel better at first. I’ll wean us off the device in a few weeks, but for now, I can peek in on her and be confident that she’s safely asleep in her big-girl bed. And she can feel good knowing that the room is new, the house is new, but she only needs to open her eyes and look at the little camera to know Daddy’s right there. Like I always have been. And always will be.
I roll my shoulders and debate what to do. It’s too late to start a movie, but I really don’t have the energy to throw in laundry or unload the dishwasher. I grab my phone and figure I’ll check the sports scores on some of the apps I follow, when I see I have three missed texts.
One’s from Elizabeth’s mom:
Send more pics of the kids when you have time, Ryder. Tell them Grandma loves them.
