She purses her lips, considering bother of her options. “Okay, we can have cinnamon sugar. But I get to pick out the movie.”
I chuckle and kiss her cheek. “Deal.”
I set Naomi down, and someone knocks on the door.
“I’ll get it!” she yells, taking off for the door.
The microwave dings again, letting me know the lasagna I heated up is more than done.
“Hey little girl, are you ready for a party or what?” June says.
“There’s my princess!” Gracie yells as she barrels in from behind June.
“Auntie Gracie!” she yells and leaps into Grace’s arms.
They both hug her and set her down.
I grab a fork and napkin and sit at the table with her food. “Naomi, dinner is ready, but it’s hot. Be careful.”
She comes around the counter and plops into her seat, carefully cutting the edge of the lasagna with her fork.
“You excited for tonight?” June asks quietly.
I smile, trying to ignore the nerves that I’ve started feeling since this morning.
I didn’t tell Mae what we were doing, only what to wear. Hopefully, she likes surprises.
“I think you two are going to hit it off, and I barely know her,” Grace says.
“I think there’s something there. But I want to be careful.” I glance at Naomi as she eats her food, humming to herself.
“If y’all need anything, call me. June, you know her bedtime. Food is in the fridge. Help yourself. Don’t forget she loves to sleep with her—”
“Her stuffed donkey, I’m aware, Coop. She’s my niece too. We’ve got this. Go.”
“Please don’t hop her up on sugar like last time,” I mumble.
Gracie grins mischievously. “I promise absolutely nothing except to spoil that little girl.”
I groan. “She’s spoiledenough.”
“Nonsense, you can’t spoil a princess nearly enough, right Naomi?” June yells.
“Right!” she shouts with her mouth full.
“And that’s my cue before I cancel this whole thing and kick you out for trying to fill my kid with lies.”
June follows me out the door and closes it behind her.
“Cooper, have fun. Don’t hurry back,” she says and wiggles her eyebrows.
I snort and shake my head. “Do I look okay?” I ask her.
She looks me up and down. “Fresh shirt tucked into clean jeans. I’d say you’re doing pretty good.”
“What about my buckle? Is it too much?” I ask her.
“No, Coop, chill. You look nice.”
