Page 28 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

She offered him a smile. “Actually, a pretty good day. I spoke to Zach. He’s going to help me reorganize my work so I can leave work at a decent hour. I can’t promise it’ll be every night.”

A weight lifted off his chest. “We’ll take what we can get. Let’s plan to have a family dinner between six and six-thirty. Just call if you’re going to be late.”Do I sound too desperate? Am I putting too much pressure on her?

Her brow furrowed and her shoulders hunched momentarily, but she seemed to regain her composure. “Family dinner sounds great. That’s a lot of cooking for you.”

“I like cooking. It’s the one time during the day when I let the girls watch television. I swear the television people had parents in mind when they were creating the schedule. Most nights I have enough time to get dinner underway while they watch Dora. I have to warn you, though, we eat simple meals. As the girls get older, I’ll introduce them to new foods.”

“You can do that? Don’t kids only eat bland foods?”

His grin widened. “It’s all degrees. Some so-called exotic foods have blander tastes. Then you increase the tang, the spices. Trust me, it’s not easy. There are days when Mira only wants macaroni and cheese, and nothing will dissuade her from her mission. You learn the art of negotiating. Yes, you can have pasta, but let’s try a slice of radish.”

“Radish is a garnish, not an edible vegetable.” Voice full of disdain, Remy twitched her nose.

“Oh, hush. Don’t let Mira hear that. She likes a slice of radish with her vegetables.”

“And Calleigh?”

He winked, aiming to reassure. “No radishes yet. I’ll do that with you around. We’ll have radish slices one night next week.”

“I think I have to work late.”

“No way, honey, we have to put up a united front.” The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to pull them back. The endearment had slipped out. He was a casual and affectionate person. Demonstrative also. Despite being a member of the male species, he was comfortable with emotions and expressed them freely.

The expression on her face said he’d made a huge misstep.

Her relaxed posture had warped to tension. Her lips were pressed in a tight line and she leaned away from him.

“Remy, I—"

“I’m going to get changed.” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and fled to the master bedroom.

Well, shit.

When he regained his equilibrium, he checked on the girls. Good, they were still absorbed in the television program. Better check on dinner.

Chapter ten

Asshechangedintoher jeans and shirt, Remy cursed her curtness. Her renowned patience and long fuse had been nowhere on display when Rusty called her that.

Honey.

He had no way of knowing that trigger word, of course.

Honey, please help me with my homework.

Honey, please help me study for my test.

Honey, please let me look at your assignment.

Bile rose in her throat.Hehad been the only one to call herhoney, and the word was indelibly imprinted on her brain.

Shake it off.

The past was the past for a reason. She’d learned from it, and never would she let a man call herhoneyagain. Rusty didn’t know, of course, so how was she supposed to explain her overreaction?

Dinner was being served as she reentered the kitchen. Both girls sat at the table as Rusty hung bibs around their necks. To her raised eyebrow, he grinned. “Spaghetti night always requires cover.”

He passed her a tea towel. “For you, mademoiselle.” His exaggerated bow made her smile.

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