Page 72 of Delay of Game

“Yeah, they’re watching a movie right now, I just stepped into the lobby to get the delivery.”

“Uncle of the year,” she sing-songs, stepping closer and peeking at the bags. “Wow, you went all out.”

I laugh, looking at all the pizza, salads, and mac and cheese I ordered, not knowing what the kids like nowadays. “I like to give them options,” I say.

Her stomach growls right as we get to our floor and I hold the elevator door open once more. “Well, if you have any leftovers, you know who to call,” she jokes.

“Why don’t you join us? The girls like hanging out with Val and I have way more food than we all could eat,” I say with as much nonchalance as I can, trying not to show her how much I want her to come over. How badly I want to spend more time with her.

Alice stops in her tracks, and I can see her pondering it. My eyes are drawn to the way her teeth sink into her lower lip, and Iwish she were biting me instead.Fuck, I’m jealous of her pretty lip.

After a moment, she nods and gives me a shy smile. “That would be nice, actually.”

“All right then, come in,” I say, grinning as I open the door and hold it for her.

“Aunt Alice,” Katie and Lory exclaim in unison and run up to hug her, fawning over Valerie in the process.

“Wow, no ‘thank you, Uncle Jordan’ for bringing back food?” I tease them, placing the bags down on the kitchen island. As I start opening up the containers, Alice moves to the cupboards, pulling out plates and forks.

“Girls, food is ready! Who wants pizza?” I ask, and they both reply enthusiastically.

“Um, actually,” Alice leans in to whisper, “Lory can’t have tomatoes. She’s been getting rashes from them.”

I look down at her and frown. How did I not know that? Have I not been paying enough attention since I’ve been back?

“Oh, I didn’t realize,” I say, sullen.

“It’s okay. It’s not something super common, but tomato sauce is not the best for her,” Alice says, shrugging one shoulder in a “what can you do” gesture.

I nod and swallow down the disappointment, promising to myself that I’ll do better next time. “Hey Lory, how does some mac and cheese sound? It’s even got the crumbles I know you like,” I say, picking the six-year-old up and swinging her from side to side. Her giggles tell me I haven’t completely messed up her dinner, and that she will in fact not throw herself into a fit of crying over the pizza.

“Yummy,” she says once I’m done playing with her.

“That’s right,” I say, and set her on the couch, handing her a plate of food.

When I get back to the counter, Alice is staring down at a pizza box, mouth open like she might ask something.

“Everything okay?” I ask, opening up the box.

She blinks down at the pizza and pins me with her blue gaze. “You got a gluten-free one?”

My cheeks heat and I look down at the thin crust pizza, grabbing a few slices and placing them on a plate. “Yeah,” I mumble.

“For me?” she asks in disbelief.

“Yeah, I was hoping you’d come hang out if pizza was involved,” I say, sliding the plate in front of her and glancing at her face. Is she upset or relieved that I took the liberty?

“Thanks.” She smiles, stepping closer to me and giving me a quick hug. “Thanks for remembering.”

“I remember everything about you,” I whisper into her hair before she pulls away and heads over to the couch.

After a whole marathonof Disney movies, all three girls are asleep. I carry Katie to the bedroom while Alice takes Lory and we tuck them in my bed, closing the door softly behind us.

“I think this is one of the most successful sleepovers yet,” Alice whispers, looking at me over her shoulder. She changed after dinner and she’s in her softest pajamas, looking adorable and comfortable in my apartment. Another flash of longing runs through me and it’s so powerful that I stop in my tracks for a moment, closing my eyes tight against the vivid image of her like this every night. What would it feel like to have this version of her—soft and gentle and soothing—forever?

“You should stay the night,” I blurt out, and she stops walking in front of me. I stop just before barreling into her, placing my hands on her shoulders to steady myself.

“Oh?” she asks, leaning into my chest for the briefest moment. She quickly recovers and turns to face me, and my hands fall back to my sides.

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