Page 18 of Blame It On the Lattes

Once the movie was over, Avery got Kennedy to bed while I sat in the living room, unsure whether she was going to call it a night herself. It was barely after eight, but I knew Avery had been more tired than usual lately, so I didn’t want her to feel obligated to stay up with me.

I was washing out the containers we’d used for snacks when I heard Avery come into the kitchen.

“Do you need help?” she asked, trying to stifle a yawn.

“I’m done, but thank you.”

She nodded and looked around the kitchen, which was now spotless.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who kept his house as clean as you do.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” I teased as I hung the towel on the hook and leaned against the counter to look at her.

“You should. It’s a huge compliment. So many men don’t care about all of the little things, but you do, and it shows. Someday, you’re going to make one woman very happy.”

My heart jumped at the thought that possibly she meant deep down that woman would be her.

“Are you staying up for a bit?” I asked, trying to get a feel for what she wanted to do.

“Yeah. I’m tired but not ready for bed just yet.”

“Want to watch a movie?”

“That depends...” Her smile made her brown eyes light up.

“Are you about to con me into a late-night latte or pancakes and bacon like your daughter?” I asked playfully, pointing a finger at her.

“Oh, heck no. I don’t do caffeine this late unless I want to be up all night. The only exception I make is if it’s an Irish coffee, and even then, I usually go for decaf coffee.”

“I can make that happen.” I looked past her to the shelf that held my assorted collection of whiskey.

“I’m not trying to con you into making me a drink, Sam,” she said with a laugh as she walked past and swatted my arm. “I am, however, going to sneak into the snacks I bought the other day, BUT you cannot tell Kennedy that I ate them.”

My jaw dropped and hung open as she reached into the pantry and pulled out a family-sized bag of Cheetos.

“Okay—I know we’ve had a lot of deceit happening in here the past twenty-four hours, but you have got to be kidding me. You’re seriously asking me to keep a secret from Kennedy?”

She opened the bag, stood right in front of me, and pulled a Cheeto out. She looked me dead in the eye as she slowly parted her lips and placed it inside her mouth. I tried desperately not to be fixated on her mouth or on how she was so close I could smell the sweet fragrance of her shampoo.

The Cheeto crunched loudly as she chewed, continuing the stare down.

I shook my head, forcing myself to break free from the spell she had me under as I shoved a hand through my hair.

“Fine. If I’m keeping your secret, you’re going to have to keep mine and not be mad about it.”

She stepped back slowly, a smirk crossing her lips as she frowned, wondering what I was up to.

“I won’t tell Kennedy that you had Cheetos after dinner if you promise you won’t be upset when I show you what I got her.”

“Like for Christmas?” she asked, her head tilted in confusion. “You didn’t have to get her anything for Christmas, Sam. I don’t know if we’ll even be here—”

“Stop,” I said, holding my hand up. “You will be here for Christmas, and I will buybothof you gifts. Fighting me on it won’t do anything but increase your frustration when you find you won’t get your way with me.”

“Sam—”

“Nope. Na uh. I don’t want to hear it. Now, before I show you what I got her, do you promise not to be mad?”

“I can’t promise anything. For all I know, you went crazy and bought her a pony.”

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