I push open the screen door and step into what can only be described as the aftermath of a very successful dinner party hosted by people who don’t understand portion control. Empty Chinese takeout containers cover the coffee table, pizza boxes are stacked on the kitchen counter, and there are enough dessert plates to suggest someone raided Emmie’s entire inventory.
“Well, well, well,” I announce, taking in the scene.
Jasper and Leo look up from the couch where they’ve been intently watching the game, and both of them have the slightly guilty expressions of men who’ve been caught red-handed doing something they’re not supposed to be doing.
“Hey, honey,” Jasper says with a smile that’s just a little too bright. “How was the book club? I picked up Ella and the gang, and Leo and I were babysitting the kids.”
“Babysitting your own kids?” Emmie asks, amused. “How heroic.”
As much as I’d love to razz them over that, we’ve got bigger strip clubs to fry.
“Never mind that,” I say, biting down a smile. “The book club was educational.” I shoot Emmie a look. “How did the babysitting go?”
“Babysitting was delicious.” Leo grins, gesturing to the collection of empty food containers. “We may have gotten a little carried away with the takeout orders.”
Emmie surveys the carnage. “Did you two eat everything in Cider Cove?”
“We were stress-eating,” Jasper explains. “Babies are exhausting.”
“Welcome to our world,” Emmie says with a slightly incredulous tone—as it should be.
The cottage has a menagerie of furry witnesses to the evening’s feast—Fish sits perched regally on the back of the couch, Sherlock is sprawled across the rug looking as if he’s fallen into a snack coma, Truffle is bouncing between the legs of the furniture, and Cinnamon and Gatsby flank the dessert platter like a couple fluffy security guards.
The tiny hoomans were perfect angels,Truffle yips excitedly.They slept the WHOLE time, and made these adorable little snoring sounds and I watched them for like three hours straight, and they’re SO CUTE and also the big hoomans ordered pizza AND Chinese food AND that cake thing, and I may have gotten some crumbs, and OH MY GOSH, did you know babies smell like powder and happiness? Have I mentioned there was FOOD?
Speaking of food,Cinnamon chimes in from her position by the dessert plates,I may have helped with quality control on the cake.
We all helped with quality control,Gatsby adds without shame.It was a team effort.
I peek into the nursery where Ella and Elliot are sleepingpeacefully—Ella in her crib and Elliot curled up in the portable playpen we set up for nights like this. Both babies look completely content, which means our husbands actually did their job instead of abandoning childcare duties for strip club adventures. Unlike their wives. And I feel more than a twinge of guilt at the thought.
“You know,” Emmie says, settling into one of the chairs. “We would have done the same thing with the carbohydrate buffet if we’d been stuck at home all night.”
Jasper and Leo exchange a look that’s equal parts amused and alarmed.
“Sure, you would have,” Leo says with obvious disbelief.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, though I have a terrible feeling I already know.
“It means,” Jasper grins while muting the basketball game, “that we know exactly where you spent your evening, and it wasn’t at any book club.”
Emmie and I freeze.
“Don’t think a single thought,” I hiss at her under my breath. “Especially not aboutyou know what.” Especially since Leo Granger happens to share my little mind-reading quirk.
Leo bursts out laughing. “You know what? Really? That’s your strategy?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say with as much dignity as I can muster.
“Charlotte posted seventeen Insta Pictures stories from The Saucy Stallion,” Jasper informs us. “Including several featuring the two of you beingdeputizedby cowboys.”
“Oh.” I shrink a little at the thought.
“Oh indeed,” Jasper says, lifting his brows. “So, while you were getting abducted by male strippers, Leo and I were being responsible adults, feeding babies, and ordering enough Chinese food to feed half of Edison and most of Cider Cove.”
“In our defense,” Emmie says weakly, “it was for investigative purposes.”
Leo tips his head. “Investigative purposes that required cowboy hats and sheriff’s badges?”
