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“Ah… I’ve always doodled,” I admit. “I started taking it seriously just before I turned eighteen.”

“I surprised her one day with this huge bag of art supplies,” Emil says, remembering. Ugh, that was such an amazing day. “I told her it was important for her to be able to support herself one day, and I was right.”

I scrunch my face at him in warning because it’s a little close to the truth for comfort and he changes the subject easily. While service at the restaurant moves slowly, the food is delicious, and I enjoy every bite. Arran finds a reason to touch me as we all hang out after the meal, and Emil sneaks his card to the waitress before Jared can.

I have to hide a smile, because they’re constantly doing this. Emil won’t let Jared pay for anything.

“He's doing it again,” Rachelle says under her breath to Ignacio and I cover my face as I laugh.

“Doing what?” Arran asks, his lips against the shell of my ear.

The vibration of his voice makes me shiver and I have to squeeze my thighs together before responding.

“Emil is pissing Jared off,” I murmur. “Every so often, he does it just to prove he still can.”

“No offense, baby, but your grandfather is scary.”

“He’s adorable,” I say before giggling. I couldn’t even get the words out without laughing. Julia winks at me as she whispers in Emil’s ear, and I enjoy watching the way he kisses her. They’re so cute together, even if the man is dangerous as fuck.

“Adorable like a predator,” Arran mutters. “Did you walk or drive here?”

“Walk. It’s not very far from my house.”

“Mom, can I stay with Ari and Ade tonight?” Zayn asks beside me. “We’re going to watch scary movies and eat popcorn.”

“Yes,” I reply, meeting my mom’s gaze. Rachelle inclines her head to agree and I grin at her.

“Can you stay with me?” Arran asks, humor clear in his voice. When you’re a single mom dating, you take advantage of every stolen moment to be together. “Please.”

“Yes,” I say, nodding.

Jared growls in Emil’s direction when he realizes he paid for us all, and we thank him for dinner. My grandfather merely smiles smugly and we rise from the table. I’m slower than the others as usual and Arran loops my purse over his shoulder without a second thought.

My hand slides into the crook of his elbow, while Zayn holds my hand as we leave the restaurant.

“We’ll see you for breakfast,” Emil says in a tone that brooks no argument as I nod. “We have presents for you. Arran, come with her.”

“Yes, sir. I’d love to,” he says, pulling me closer as we walk. “The shop is closed tomorrow.”

“There’s a fall festival that may be cute to go to tomorrow in the afternoon,” Rachelle muses. “Kids, how do you feel about a spooky walk through the woods?”

Rachelle glances at me as I raise my brow at her. While my kid is obsessed with all things scary, I am not.

“How spooky?” I ask.

“Mom, it’s not real,” Zayn reminds me as I shiver. Arran glances at me, not sure whether or not to be amused or not.

“Your mom can skip it,” Theo grunts to Zayn. “We don’t have to explain ourselves to each other, remember?”

“Yes. Sorry, Mommy,” Zayn mumbles.

“It’s in the afternoon and the advertisements say that the actors are masked and can get kind of scary,” Rachelle adds.

“I’ll pass,” I reply. “You guys go. It’s spooky season. I know it’s not real, but my nervous system does not.”

“Could you pass out?” Arran asks worriedly.

“It’s possible,” I shrug. “Or I’d have a panic attack. It’s a toss up. I don’t enjoy being scared like that. Zayn loves it though. Movies I’m fine with, and we’ll take turns scaring each other, but I also know we’re the only ones in the house. My logic overrides the initial panic and I can see him after I jump fifteen feet in the air.”