“Macaroni is my favorite food. I wish we didn’t have to eat broccoli.”
“Let me guess what you like more.” I tap my finger to my chin, chewing my own bite. “Pizza and fish sticks?”
She nods her head. “And milkshakes.”
“Milkshakes are good,” I confirm.
“What’s your favorite food?” Poppy asks. “Mom’s is some yucky burger.”
“Yucky burger? It’s good,” Presley defends.
“What burger is yucky?” I ask, taking another bite of mac and cheese.
“She said it was spicy.”
“Spicy, huh?” I cock a brow across the table. “Would that happen to be what Rex made?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
A knowing look is on her face. It’s definitely the burgers Rex made us.
“Huh. I guess you’ll have to make me some.”
“Or maybe you can bring them for me…” she trails off.
I rest my elbows on the table and lean closer. “Does that mean another dinner?”
Presley leans closer. “I guess it does.”
“Do I have to eat yucky burgers for dinner?” Poppy asks.
I smile at her. “Only if you want to try them.”
She cringes. “I don’t like spicy things.”
“You’ll learn to like them,” I say.
She stuffs the last of her fries in her mouth. “I don’t fink so.”
“Poppy.” Presley scolds. “What have I told you about talking with your mouth full?”
She swallows. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Now, finish your broccoli and then you can play before we watch a movie.”
“We get to do fun stuff with Kade here.”
“I like being here,” I say.
And I do. I like getting to spend time with these two. Eating dinner and discussing favorite foods? It’s the most mundane of things, but it’s something I’ve been missing.
Life in Seattle was rote. Boring, even.
I would wake up, go to the same coffee shop, head to the office and make a deal, then spend too much time there and not enough time at home. Work was my life.
Pinecrest? There’s a balance. Sure, I have a hell of a lot of work to do at the ranch, but I have help. People I can trust over there so I can take some time to be with Presley. Time to try and recapture that magic we once had.
“I’m done. Can we watch a movie now?”
