Dad smiled adoringly at her before kissing her quickly and letting her up. She promptly leaned toward Jamie, holding her hand out. “You too, love. Give it over.”
Jamie handed it to her, and she turned to me.
I shook my head. “Mine’s on silent and in my pocket.”
She gripped my chin. “If that changes, it’s mine.”
I chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Anyone want pancakes?” she asked.
“No, baby, you’ve done enough,” Dad said. “Sit down and eat. I’ll start another pot of coffee real quick.”
“Okay, love.” She took her seat and we passed platters around, filling our plates while we waited for more coffee to brew.
“How’d it go with Tate the other night?” Mom asked.
I grinned. “Good.”
“Aw, honey, I’m so glad.” She reached over and squeezed my arm. “I have always adored her. You’re good together.”
Before I could comment, the beep of the alarm sounded, and the front door closed. “Family,” Poppy called out. “Anyone home?”
“Kitchen,” Mom called back.
My sister appeared in the doorway, pulling off her sunglasses, and dropping them and her keys on the counter. “Good morning, everyone.”
Mom stood, making her way to Poppy, and hugging her. “What a lovely surprise. Come and eat. To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“My children are at school and daycare, Devon’s doing something with his dad, and I have a day off. I came to see if you were up for mani pedis.”
“I’m in,” Mom said, pouring another cup of coffee.
Poppy grabbed a plate and kissed Dad’s cheek before sitting beside me at the table. “Did you grovel at Tate’s feet yet?”
“Sure did.”
“Did she accept your apology?” Poppy asked, scooping eggs onto her plate.
“Sure did.”
“Hmm,” she murmured. “I thought she was smarter than that.”
I chucked a piece of toast at her head, and she deflected, then burst out laughing because I’d missed her and landed a direct shot to Dad’s nose.
“Boy!” he growled, dropping the bread back on my plate...after he licked it. “You’re gonna eat that entire piece.”
“Hatch,” Mom admonished, snatching the bread away. “Our child is not eating that.”
Dad raised an eyebrow. “Baby, you realize he’s no longer a child, right?”
She mean-mugged him. “And you realize he’ll always be my baby, right?”
Dad shook his head, then focused on me. “Be nice to your sister.”
I frowned. “Wha—?”
“Yeah,” Poppy retorted. “Be nice to me.”
