Page 33 of Under One Roof

I force a laugh. “What’s this interrogation about?”

“You look like you were crying.”

I turn away from him. “I was.”

That’s when he reaches for me but stops himself, his fingers millimeters away from my chin. I tip it up anyway to find him peering down at me with a steady, comforting gaze. I’m not sure what he reads in my features, but he nods a few times. “Why?”

“I miss her. I miss…” I bite my bottom lip to keep my chin from quivering when it hits me just how much Dahlia means to me. “She’s my family, my support system, and I miss having that.”

Griffin sets his hands down on the counter on either side of my waist and bends, lowering himself so he’s almost at my eyeline. “Someday you’ll tell me about why your best friend is your support system and not your actual family.”

I sniff a watery laugh at his order. “Okay.”

“My family means everything to me,” he says. “My brothers and sister. My kids. They’re my world, and I hate that it’s not the same for you. I hate that you’re crying in my kitchen because you miss your best friend. I hate that you ran away from something in LA, and I’d like to hear about that, too. But I want you to know that while you’re taking care of my children, while you’re in my house, you’re a part of my family. You have my support for whatever you need.”

Before I can stop it, a tear slips from my eye, and he knuckles it away. I blink a few times, clearing my sight, careful not to let go of the tight hold my arms have around each other. I can’t give in to the overwhelming pull to bury my head against his neck. Or worse, jump on him, cling to him like a koala.

My well to be touched and petted and soothed needs to be refilled, but like he said, our relationship has to remain professional. So, I smile and say, “Thank you, Griff.”

His gaze lingers on my mouth, and in a poor attempt to escape these close quarters, I blurt, “I have to talk to you about the kids.”

This makes him stand up straight and back away from me, all the way to the island so there are a few feet in between us. He braces himself, and I assume it’s because he thinks I’m going to quit or tell him about some awful thing the twins did. Now that I’ve been let into their evil mastermind plans, I learned they once placed a fake tarantula on the pillow of the nanny that came two before me, and when she woke up, she flew out of bed, hitting her head, giving herself a concussion. There was also the male nanny who liked to go running, so they put Cat’s turds in his very expensive running shoes.

Really, I got off easy.

Though there’s no telling what they would have moved on to next if I hadn’t shown them I could play their game. A fake tarantula would most definitely make me pee myself again.

Griffin waits, a little impatiently, if how he checks his watch is anything to go by. The man lives and breathes by seconds.

Under his intimidating stare, I take a breath and set my shoulders, mentally reminding myself of my affirmations.You’re smart. You’re capable. You have really great eyebrows.

“I wanted to suggest that maybe you could ease up a bit on the rigid schedule with them.”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

I twist my fingers together nervously. “I know you run this house like a well-oiled machine, but they’re kids. They could use a little more…fun. Spontaneity.”

Griffin’s jaw tightens, and he slants his attention to the side. I hurry to continue so he doesn’t get the wrong idea.

“The structure is good for them, but they’re desperate to hang out. Play some basketball in the driveway, watch movies together, whatever. They want to spend time with you, that’s all.”

He’s quiet for a long moment, his expression indecipherable.

“I want what’s best for them,” he finally says. “I’ve had to be both their parents, the disciplinarian and the good guy, and still, I have to make sure things run smoothly.”

I nod in understanding. “I know. And you’re doing an amazing job with them. I can tell how much you love Logan and Grace. But I think, maybe, they’d appreciate the time you spent relaxing with them. They know Captain Stone as their dad, but what about, like, just…Dad. You know?”

He considers this in silence. An entire day passes before he meets my gaze. He seems like he might snap the marble top right in half for how hard he’s gripping it. Then again, that’s not much different from his normal appearance.

That’s the thing about Captain America—he’s strong as hell, but he only uses his power for good.

“Thanks for letting me know,” he says and stalks off. I make myself scarce and stay downstairs even when I hear him and the kids come home from the bus stop. Although I don’t catch every word, I specifically hear my name and “told me” and “hang out” and “more time.”

An hour later, about when dinner would usually be getting started, Griffin calls down to me. “Andi? You want to play some basketball with us?”

I’m caught so unaware I drop the laundry I’m folding.

“Really?”

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