Page 43 of For One Night

I tap the steering wheel, mulling over the possibilities. “Are you going to get the girls?”

“We’re almost there now.” He’s been staying with Maisyn and the girls on the other side of town, so it should give me plenty of time.

“Great! I’ll have something when you get here.” I end the call quickly and click on the next number.

“Thank you for calling, go ahead with your delivery order,” a sweet voice greets me.

I place my order as I’m pulling into my drive, stopping long enough to grab my wallet and read off my credit card number. Opening my front door, I immediately drop my jacket and roll up my sleeves.

Fifteen minutes into ‘clean your fucking house now’, it’s presentable, and I add a note to hire a cleaner. I’m in the kitchen prepping for dinner when the doorbell rings. I rush over, yanking the door open to find my order, not my family.

“Hey, thank you for the rush order.” I tip the guy as I grab my bags.

He throws his thumb over his shoulder. “I have a few more in the car. I can bring them in while you put those away.”

“Sounds good, I’ll leave the door ajar.”

I spot the guy another twenty as he drops off the rest of the bags. Dinner is well on its way as I hear a rap on my door echoing through my place. I dry my hands, hurrying to the front.

Swinging it wide, I find two gorgeous girls with dark hair looking the spitting image of their mother. “Good evening, ladies. How may I help you?”

“Uncle Lenny, Daddy said for us to come tell you ‘we’re here’,” Hope says with a hand on her hip and the other in the air. So. Much. Sass.

I stand to the side, waving my arm with a flourish as I bow. “Welcome, Princess Faith and Princess Hope.”

“Uncle Lenny.” Faith rolls her eyes with a huge smile.

I don’t have the words for what these two do to my cold, black heart. Sometimes, I think, when it’s quiet and I listen closely, I can hear it beat. I smile ridiculously as they walk hand in hand through the door.

When Faith stops, curling her finger close to her nose, I lean down, waiting for her whispered words. To my shock, she kisses my cheek, melting my heart further.

“It’s good to see you, Unc.” She stares at me, seeing deep into what soul I have left, like no other person ever has and all I can think is … I want one.

I return her smile. “It’s wonderful to see you too, my love.”

“Hey, they’re too young for you.” Maisyn giggles as she walks past us.

“If you hadn’t broken my heart, I’d still be yours.”

Mom enters the door frowning. “What’s the smell?”

“Oh, shi-oot!” I kiss her cheek before turning to run full stride to the kitchen. “Dam-ng it.” I wince as the girls watch me stir the stew. “Please don’t be ruined.”

“Let me see, dear.” Mom is at my side with a spoon in hand. She dips it in, taking a little taste. “I think we’re going to be okay.”

“Smells great.” Lachlan pokes his head around the corner. “Is that a Stout Stew?”

I shrug. “Yes, I wanted something that would stick to your ribs.”

“That would be it for sure, little brother.” He pats my back, smiling. “How can I help?”

Mom and I gawk at one another. “Get the plates, and I’ll cut the bread.”

“Hardy-har, I hear you.” He bumps into me on the way over to the cabinet.

I hold the bread and knife up. “I’m only saying, I am the better cook.”

“I’m telling ye both, he’s the best of the two of you”—Mom laughs, hugging me tight—“when it comes to cooking.”