“Isn’t she what?” Dimples pop out on his face as his smile stretches from cheek to cheek.
“Theirs? I mean, now she has three crazy aunts.” Not including her crazy uncle. I snort out a laugh at that thought. “I always wanted a crazy aunt.”
“My sisters really do fit the bill.” He swings his body over mine, resting on his elbow. “They adore her.”
“She adores them,” I whisper, feeling the truth in my words, because I adore them.
“You know…” He twirls a finger in one of my curls. “There are many women in this town willing to be your crazy aunt.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” I think about my boss. “Ms. Aberdeen for one.”
“Oh no, she’s a crazy grandma, and that’s a role I’m not sure anyone wants to accept. She isn’t just crazy, she is certifiable.”
“Her obsession with the one Davis deputy is questionable.” I recall each time she sees him and the way she licks her lips. “You know, the one day she saw him, she popped out her dentures and bounced around like she was twenty, saying, ‘Look what I can do’?”
Arlo shudders beneath my fingertips at that absurd thought. “She didn’t!” he murmurs as he shakes his head. “Never mind, I believe it. Poor kid.”
“I’m not so sure, he blushes each time.”
“Probably because he doesn’t know how to handle her.”
“I don’t know how to handle her or herJersey Shoreobsession.” I smile, realizing I have a crazy aunt in a way, and somehow, I feel more at ease than I ever have in my life, knowing that Lark now might possibly have three crazy aunts.
“I like that look.” He brushes my hair off my face.
“What look?”
“The one where you found complete contentment and happiness.” He buries his face in my neck, muttering so I almost don’t hear him. “And I’m not ashamed to feel pride that I brought you that look.”
“You are incorrigible.”
He nips my neck at my words, then licks the sting away before settling back and pinning my arms so I can’t retaliate. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
I sigh, not ready to spring from this bubble but knowing it was inevitable. “First things first, I need to figure out how bad I smell.” Though we took multiple showers last night, I worry that the smell lingers on me.
“You smell like you to me.” He leans up, wrinkling his nose. “But I worry it’s because I’ve grown used to the scent of skunk.”
“I’ll ask Paris about those glands.”
“Good idea, that should be first on your agenda.”
I chuckle. There’s no love lost between my beloved pet skunk and Arlo. “It’s not first, but I know you will remind me of it, eventually.” I look at him, trying for the most serious expression I can muster. “I need to talk to Christian.”
Arlo looks up at the ceiling, blowing out a breath before he looks down at me. “I know,” he whispers. “Do you want me there?”
Oh, this man. Be still my heart, because I know stars dance in my eyes. He’s perfect, that is all there is to it. “No, but do you think you can talk to Kenzie? I know you don’t know everything, the complete story, but I think the most important part is that he isn’t on the birth certificate.”
“Unpopular opinion incoming.” His thumb trails across my cheek. “I’m glad he isn’t on there because I know that means his parents can’t do much, but you’re right, I’ll talk to Kenzie. I think you’re doing the right thing by allowing Lark to make that choice. I know my sisters won’t agree.”
“You think they would prefer it if I took that choice from her?”
He draws lazy circles on my chest. “I’m not sure. I know they see you and Lark hurting, and they probably got territorial.”
“I like it.” I lean up and nip his lip. “But I agree with you. First, I need to talk to him about his parents and see what we can work out.”
“That means I’m going to have to find him a place to stay, aren’t I?”
“That is plausible.” I twist out of his arms, realizing I have no clothing, so I snatch up his sheet and wear it like a toga.
