Page 205 of Small Town Firsts

“Sounds good. I’ll get the grill going again.”

Alden heads out back and Nate follows—men and their grilling.

CHAPTER 40

ALDEN

We’ve just finishedour late lunch turned early dinner when Tatum wiggles down from her chair and crawls up in Melanie’s lap. “Nana,” Tatum whines. “I come sleep at your house? I miss you. And Popsie too.”

“Oh, sweet girl, I would love that. But, it’s ultimately up to your mama…and Daddy.” My heart clenches in the best way when she tacks me onto the end of her sentence.

Tatum swivels her head around to face Natalie and me. “Pweeeeaaaasssse?” she begs, poking her lower lip out like a sad little puppy. “I’ll be extra good!”

Natalie and I exchange a look. “Sure, Tater Tot. I think that would be great.”

In my head, I’m thinkingYes! Maybe I’ll get a sleepover too?

Tatum bounces around, shimmying her shoulders in her version of a happy dance.

“Oh, but wait!” Melanie exclaims, halting my girl’s dance. “I promised to set up the church breakfast tomorrow.”

Thankfully, Nate’s got my back. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll swing by and grab her in the morning, and we’ll go to breakfast.”

“And da park?” Tatum asks, turning her pleading eyes on her uncle.

His shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Yeah, kid. And the park.”

“Yes!” Then she decides to push her luck—either that or she’s playing toddler Cupid. “Can Miss Jenny come too?”

Jenny’s gaze shoots up to Tatum, and then to Nate, before she blushes and looks back down. “No can do, little one. I already have plans tomorrow.”

Tatum pouts, but Nate quickly cheers her up. “Don’t be sad. We’ll get hot dogs too, okay?”

“I guess,” Tatum grumbles, not completely satisfied. “Maybe cupkates too?” The kid drives a hard bargain.

“Sure, cupcakes too.” Nate catches my eye and winks. Thank God for the funcle!

Natalie speaks up. “I have a change of clothes in her bag, I’ll send it with you.”

Everyone takes that as a hint to leave, and no lie, I’m totally okay with that. I’m more than ready to spend a little one-on-one time with Nat—preferably naked.

After everyone leaves,and the kitchen is clean, Natalie and I collapse onto the couch together in heap of tangled limbs. “Are we gonna talk about…everything?” she asks, rubbing her nose against mine.

“We can talk about anything you want to, Small Fry.”

“Today was just…a lot. I’m glad Dad clued us in. It makes understanding his actions so much easier.”

I drop a kiss to her temple. “I can’t even imagine.”

Changing gears, Natalie pushes on my shoulder until I’m flat on my back and she’s straddling me. “I know I keep asking, but…you really love me?”

I grin at her reluctance to believe me. I guess I can see where she’s coming from though. “Yeah, I really love you. Wanna know what else I love?”

“What?” she whispers.

“Waking up next to you.”

She draws her head back and sits up so that she’s looking down at me. “But…what? We’ve never?—”

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