“You’ve got all this shit in your fridge, but nothin’ is ready to eat,” he grumbles.
“That’s because you have to actuallycookthe food,” Willow points out. “Don’t tell me you expected to move in here and have Haze as your maid?”
I chuckle.
“Funny.” He closes the fridge again, heading for the pantry.
“Wait, you don’t think I’m gonna cook for you?” Her eyes also fall on me.
I give her a withering look. “I managed to survive this long makin’ my own stuff. I’m sure I can whip up a stir fry or somethin’.”
“Sounds good.” Max takes a bag of potato chips and gives us a two-finger salute as he leaves. “Give me a holler when dinner’s ready. Oh, and if you two are gonna be smoochin’ every second of the day, might wanna get a room, just sayin’.”
“I have a room!” I call after him. “And I can revoke your welcome any time I want.”
“Yeah, but you won’t,” Max calls back. “Because that’ll upset yourwife.”
Willow rolls her lips. “You can see how he gets into trouble, but also talks his way out of most situations,” she says.
“I’d say he needs a good fuckin’ punch in the face if he thinks I’m gonna be pickin’ up after him.”
“Should’ve thought about that before you invited him here as a guest,” she tuts. “You know he’s going to eat everything in that pantry before the night is out.”
“Least he’s here and not out causin’ mischief.” I shrug. “Could be worse.”
“Again, he’s anadult,Aust. Not a teenager who needs babysittin’.”
“Right, and you’re forgettin’ your dad is in town, and he’ll nail my ass if anythin’ happens to him.”
Crunch stirs in her arms and she looks down. “He’s pretty chill, isn’t he?”
“Because he’s in his mommy’s arms.”
She can’t hide the smile on her lips when she looks back up at me. “Shut up and feed me, I’m starving.”
“Hey, you remember that my culinary skills leave a little to be desired,” I remind her. “Let’s not get carried away.”
She sighs. “I’ll assist, and no, that doesn’t mean I’m going to do all the work.”
“So bossy.” I brush her hair back off her face and steal a kiss. I know it’s baby steps, but I can’t help myself. She’s so goddamn irresistible. “Maybe when your brother goes to bed we can make out on the couch?” I waggle my eyebrows suggestively.
“You’re so lucky I have your son in my arms, or I’d smack you upside the head.”
I smirk. “Fine, your place it is.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
Willow
It’s surreal. Sitting around the dinner table with Haze and my brother. The only thing missing is my dad, but he had other plans tonight. Heaven knows what that is considering he doesn’t even live in this freaking city. Tomorrow, I’m going to put some spies on him and find out what he’s really up to. For some reason, I just don’t buy his good samaritan story. My father was a great cop, there was nothing dirty about him, but call it a hunch. I’ve also been doing this for a long time.
Max eats his bowl of chicken stir fry and finishes the leftovers. I kinda forgot he had hollow legs. Haze cooked the chicken separately, then added it to his and Max’s bowls.
The conversation is easy all night, and it reminds me how much Max and Haze get along. Haze has always treated Max like a little brother, and always looked out for him as best he could when we were growing up. I’ll admit, I like having them both around. I’ve missed it.
When Max turns in early, he ruffles my hair and takes off upstairs, claiming he has a hot date tomorrow and needs to getsome shuteye. I have no intention of staying the night while he’s here. Not gonna happen.
