“A burger,” I say over my shoulder. “I am starving.”
“That’s my girl,” he chuckles.
“I’ll take a burger too,” Gris offers. “I don’t want to eat alone again tonight. It’s getting old.”
“I’ll take one too.” Killian lifts the bird from the box, gently moving it through the cage door. “Haven’t eaten all day.”
I disappear into my room, changing out of my skirt and blouse and into leggings and a sweatshirt. Then I crack the door open, checking on Emma who is happily watching Birdie with Killian.
That’s when my phone rings. “Hey, Erika,” I say and open the door, pointing to the phone as Rush meets my gaze.
He gives a quick nod.
I don’t close the door all the way, wanting to see my daughter.
“Hey. Everything all right?”
“You are the sweetest, and yes, it’s fine.” I put her on speaker and quickly tell her the story, right up to the part where all three Smiths are helping Emma get the bird into a cage as I brush my hair and put it into a ponytail.
“Wow. I mean you’re hot, but I didn’t know you were three-Smith-brothers hot,” she says with a laugh.
I snort. “Please. As if.” And then I hesitate. “Honestly, I super appreciate the help and the fact that Emma is overcoming some fears, but I could really…”
“Use an orgasm?” Erika supplies.
I nearly spit as I choke on my own saliva. “I was going to say, I could really use some space. First week at a new job, busy work weekend, and then a killer Monday with crazy meetings.”
“Oh please,” she pishes. “I know that because you have Emma, you’re thinking about being a permanent solo act, but if that’s the case, we either need to get you a really good handheld device, or you might have to join a dating app just to sleep with the occasional guy.”
“I am not bringing random men home with Emma here,” I hiss back.
“Handheld it is, but girl, you’re getting dark circles under your eyes. You need some real sleep, and a good O would really help.”
“I do need sleep.” And she is totally right about the O. “Do people still shop at Sharper Image for that kind of equipment?”
“The internet is a beautiful place,” she giggles. “I’ll send you some links.”
I hang up, turning in time to see Rush in the doorway. I gasp, wondering what he might have heard.
“Dinner’s here,” he says with a quirk of his brow, before he disappears again.
Stepping back out of the room, I try to calm my thrumming pulse. My cheeks must be completely flushed red.
The bag with our dinner is already on the table, but since I only have four chairs, I pull Emma’s booster from one. “You can sit with me, M&M.”
“I’ll stand,” Killian offers. “I don’t mind.”
“Nonsense,” I reply, glad for the distraction. “Emma and I eat together all the time. Please sit.”
Killian does, looking slightly uncomfortable as Rush unpacks the bags.
Emma’s eyes light up when she sees her grilled cheese, but she waits for all the food to be laid out.
When all the food is out, I quietly whisper in her ear, “We give thanks.”
It’s her cue to eat and she picks up a half of her grilled cheese, taking a big bite right out of the middle. I slide out from under her, heading to the kitchen to grab a knife.
I didn’t really think this whole burger thing through, eating in front of three ridiculously handsome men. But I am exhausted and hungry.
