“Princess,” I hedge evenly, “who do you think I am?”
“Annoying,” she shoots back, and I smile. “Highlyannoying.”
“Denial works.”
Sienna tilts her head and stretches her muscles while I continue to knead. “Alzheimer’s would be better.”
I stifle a chuckle. “Now, we’re being dramatic.”
“Am I? Huh. I could’ve sworn you were overbearing and a wrecking ball to my life.”
“Is that what we’re calling the bakery, princess?”
I hear an exasperated exhale next, and she shakes her head, “Just had to bring that up. I thought that was part of the deal?”
“It was.”
“Well, don’t you have something else better to do?”
“Such as?”
“Plan a war or something? Whatever you people do.”
“It can wait.” I fish my phone out of my jacket and unlock it. “Order us food.”
“I said I wasn’t?—”
“Piece of mind, princess. I feel better if you eat.”
She eyes the phone when I reach out to hand it to her. “What do you even eat?”
“Anything.”
“That’s vague.”
“I’m not a hard man to please.” When it comes to her, anyway. “Don’t say I never gave you control.”
“Control? You’re giving me the chance to order dinner.”
She hesitates, taking my cell and hovering over the screen before beginning to scroll. “Fine. But I’m picking what I want, and I don’t want to hear any complaints.”
“That’s the point, princess.”
She searches for food while I massage her neck and shoulders. Normally, the silence between us is tension, but right now, it’s comfortable.
Sienna is safe in my lap, allowing me to touch her and comfort her and order food like we’re a normal couple.
This is what I’ve wanted, but not at the cost of tonight and what could’ve happened.
“Pizza.” She glances over her shoulder at me. “I want pineapple on mine.”
I stare at her for a moment, waiting for her to break character, but she doesn’t. “You’re joking.”
“Nope.” She taps the screen to make the point land. “Pineapple and jalapeño. My favorite.”
“That’s not pizza; that’s a crime.”
“Good thing you don’t follow those laws anymore, huh?”
