“Cool. That might get Zoe to the breakfast table.”
That got my attention. “Why does Zoe not eat breakfast?”
“She’s usually running late. I have no idea what she does that takes so long.”
I buttered a second slice of toast for each of us and offered one to Connor while I did another sweep around the kitchen. I found a banana and yoghurt and even some blueberries and strawberries in the fridge. I was just laying it all out when I heard a scream coming from upstairs. A very familiar four-year-old scream.
Lightning quick, I rushed to the stairs only to see Theo rush ahead of me. By the time I got to the room I shared with Jaycee, Theo was kneeling in front of the bed and Hayden was in the bed comforting her.
She looked up at me hiccuping with no tears. “I woke up and you was gone.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” I moved to the other side of the bed. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
I gave her a quick kiss on her forehead and leaned over to kiss my little boy. “Morning sweet boy. Sorry she woke you.”
He offered me a sly smile. “Sorry enough for pancakes?”
“Nice try kid. But I did see a box of Choco-Ds in the kitchen.”
My son’s eyes went wide. “Really?” The cereal was packed with sugar but it was his favorite. “Can I have some today?”
“Go get dressed and meet us in the kitchen.” I turned to my daughter who was having a tough enough time. “What do you say you and I have a mommy-daughter day?”
“Can we paint our nails and have tocktails?”
“Cocktails. And yes. Well, I have to work but after that, yes.” I stood from the bed. “Let's go get some breakfast.”
Theo picked her up from the bed. I could practically feel my eyes bug out and my mouth dry. The man’s blue dress shirt hung open. The sight of all that… man on display while he held my daughter did things it shouldn’t have. The contrast short-circuited my brain. The hard lines of his chest and abdomen as he cradled my daughter. Yes, it did things. Tingly things.
His skin was a little lighter than mine and I wondered if I poked it, would it be hard. I followed the trail down his abs. His very delectable abs. Before I could drop my gaze lower. He cleared his throat and I lifted my gaze to his. And then all I wanted to do was remove that stupid smug grin from his face.
I shook my head. “This is why we need more fucking rules.”
“Mama.” Jaycee's little voice took on a stern edge. “You need to put a dollar in the jar.”
I let out a sigh and nodded. “I will sweetie.”
“You have a swear jar?” I could hear the smirk in his voice even as I walked ahead of him. “I’ll put twenty dollars in this morning. That should get me through the day. I can imagine living with me, you’ll fill that jar quite quickly.”
My eyes narrowed and I turned to glare at him. “Shut up.”
“Mama.” Jaycee sounded exasperated.
“Oh.” His brow rose. “Is shut up a swear word too?”
Jaycee gave him an exaggerated nod. “Mama said shut up is the worst kind of swear because you stop people from talking.”
“I said it stops people from using their voice.” I turned and continued walking down the stairs. “But close enough.”
The next forty-five minutes were a whirlwind of bread crumbs and spilled milk. Connor needed to find his pop quiz that needed signing all while the smoothie blender hummed in the background.
With Hayden and Connor standing at the bottom of the steps with Theo, Jaycee and I walked out of the kitchen just as Zoe came running down the stairs. “Theo, I need–”
“Here you go.” I handed her a sealed drinking cup with an attached straw. “Just please rinse the mug out when you’re done so it's not gross later.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “What’s this?”
“Fruit smoothie. It's got berries and a banana.” I spoke as I handed a lunch box to Hayden. “I can do peanut butter also. Let me know.”
