Looking at Poppy, I chuckle when I see there’s two stray pieces of broccoli sitting in front of her stuffed animals.
“Poppy. You can’t give your veggies to your animals to eat,” Presley scolds her.
“That’s their dinner.”
I reach across her and fork both of them and eat them. “She’s done.”
Poppy giggles and Presley rolls her eyes. “You’re not helping, Kade.”
“Thanks,” Poppy whispers, giving me a hug before grabbing her toys and running into the living room.
“She likes me, so what can I say?”
“You’re cleaning up then,” Presley says.
I smile at her. “That I can do.”
Presley goes to help her get her movie turned on while I clean up the kitchen. I love getting to watch the two of them together. I hope at some point Poppy and I have a relationship like they do. I think we’re on the right track so far, but she doesn’t know who I really am. I don’t know when Presley will want to tell her, but at least we have this time together.
“Kade, can you sit by me?” Poppy asks, head popping up over the back of the couch.
Squirting the soap into the sink to let the dishes soak, I rinse off my hands and walk over to join them.
“You got it.”
She snuggles into my side, putting Lollipop in my lap before her eyes go wide on her goose.
“Wait.” Poppy pulls Strawberry back. “Can you hold her?”
“Why couldn’t I?”
“Because the milkshake made your face bumpy.”
“Strawberry is a goose, so I’m okay.” I smile at her.
“Are you sure?”
I nod, grabbing Strawberry to give her a kiss. “See? I’m okay.”
I don’t think she believes me, so she takes her back. “I’ll keep her.”
Presley plays the movie and snuggles in with us. Poppy curls into my side with her legs kicked out over Presley. It’s a visceral need I have—to keep this.
I don’t know how I am going to make this happen, but I need to. I’ve never needed anything more in my life than these two right here.
It’s a thought that carries me through the entire movie, with Poppy laughing and singing along. It’s the best sound in the world.
I don’t want to lose this. But I don’t know how I’m going to keep it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
KADE
“Is she asleep?” Presley asks as I close the bedroom door.
“Yes.”
“I thought you’d fall asleep before her.”
