Addy nodded seriously.“She’s the best at it.She chose my bed and then decorated it.”She stopped eating, her face falling.“I miss our house.My bedroom was pink, and Mom put flowers on one of my walls.She even let me paint a unicorn on my bed.”
Elana put her sticky hands on Vance’s shoulder.I had to give him credit for not even flinching at what would most definitely be a stain on his pristine white T-shirt.“She’s good at not mixing stripes and polka dots.”
I chuckled at her since it was something I’d told her a few weeks ago.But leopard-print pants with a pink-and-green polka-dot shirt was simply more than I could look at all day.
Vance nodded, tapping Elana on the nose.“It’s settled, then.Your mom has to help me.”
“I have to get the girls ready first, and I have a shift tonight at seven.But I’m all yours between then.”
“That works for me.”Vance clapped his hands together, then turned to the girls.“How about you get dressed, and I’ll find out from your mom what I can do to help.”
They both nodded, and I took another bite of my donut to make sure I was still alive.The girlsneverdid anything the first time I asked them.
They raced to their room, and Vance came over to where I was still standing in the kitchen.He moved next to me and leaned in to kiss the side of my head, then put his arm around my waist.“Now, what can I do to help?”
Swallowing the last bite of my donut, I turned to look at him.Big mistake.
Being this close to Vance was comfortable.It was nice, and I wanted to sink into him.But reality was a bitch who elbowed her way into my blissed-out brain.“I need to get their bags packed, and Addy has to read some of her books for school before she leaves because they won’t be back for another week.And I don’t want to make her do all her schoolwork in the last week.”
“I can do the school stuff if you show me where it is.That way, you can start packing.”
“What?”
Yup, still as eloquent as ever.
“Addy’s schoolwork?”
I pointed at the table that we’d been using as a desk.He leaned past me, and I held my breath.He smelled too good.One whiff of hiseau de sex godwould tip me over the edge of sanity I was barely clinging to.
But then he had the audacity to hug me to him, once again kissing the side of my head.
Goodbye, sanity.
Thankfully, he stood up before I could do something embarrassing that included climbing onto his lap.Or licking the dimple in his cheek.Or running my hands over his muscles.
God, I need therapy.Next thing you know, I’ll be in front of his hotel room wearing only a raincoat.Though I didn’t own one, so I’d have to show up in a bathrobe.Nope, didn’t own one of those either.Towel?Or the beige coat I bought because it made my complexion glow but then never wore because I looked like a giant dumpling in it?
He sat down on the couch and sorted through the school stuff that was spread haphazardly over the table, half of it hanging off the side.He found the list of readings and math work Addy was supposed to do and organized everything into neat piles.
Since I was still in my pajamas, I searched through the boxes off to the side that had my clothes in them, avoiding looking at him before squeezing myself into the bathroom.It was an acrobatic act to get dressed in the small space, but with Vance in the apartment, it was my only option.
I emerged five minutes later, teeth brushed, face washed, and hair up in a messy ponytail.I wore my usual jeans and T-shirt combo, plus a little bit of mascara and foundation.It was the only makeup I had left.And once I ran out, I’d go without.
We spent the next hour and a bit getting the girls ready.And when Cockalorum showed up early, everyone was ready instead of the last-minute hysterics that usually ensued whenever we went anywhere.
Elana opened the door, waving at her dad, who nodded at her.
“Hello, Elana.Are you ready to go?Tammy is waiting in the car.”
Hank’s eyes fell on Vance, who was still sitting at the table, packing up some of Addy’s school books.“Why is your lawyer here?”
The question, directed at me, was spoken in a clipped voice.I knew that low-pitched tone and pinched forehead.
Rushing to the door to do damage control, I shook my head.“He’s here because I needed help moving the couch.”
Clearly not buying my lame-ass excuse, Hank raised his brows.“You seriously called your lawyer to help you move your couch?You don’t think he has better things to do?”
Ignoring the barb, I picked up the girls’ suitcases and pushed them at him.“There you go.”
