Page 86 of Sex, Lies, and Margarita Mixes

That is the sweetest thing. Ever.

She nods enthusiastically. “I made it pretty all by myself.”

I take a huge bite.

At noon, we order pizza from the pizzeria on the corner.

At 12:30, Chase and Liam build a blanket fort while Bella insists on giving me a “makeover.” Which apparently means super pigmented shimmery eyeshadow that covers my entire lid up into my brows, black eyeshadow as blush, ten different lip glosses that continue halfway down my chin, and a tiara.

When Chase peeks into the bathroom, he bursts out laughing. “Babe… you look like a drag queen and a clown had sex and made a baby.”

I glare. “Say that again and you’re sleeping in the fort tonight.”

He waggles his brows, rakes his gaze over me, and winks. “Only if you join me. We can role play.”

I bust out laughing and mutter, “Something is wrong with you. You’re into drag queens and clowns now?”

“I’m into you.” He blows me a kiss.

After lunch and a triple face cleansing, we walk them to the public park near our place.

Bella immediately bolts toward the swings, Liam climbs halfway up the jungle gym and freezes.

“I’m stuck!” he calls, his voice full of six-year-old fear.

Chase jogs over while I stay with Bella, pushing her on the swings. They’re next to each other, so I hear him talk to Liam. “Buddy, you’re not stuck. You’re just scared. I’ve got you. Come down the same way you got up.”

Liam whimpers. “I’m too scared. I’m gonna fall.”

Chase shakes his head. “You’re not gonna fall. You got up there, you just have to take your time to get down. You can do it. And if you do fall, I’ll catch you. Promise.” He gently guides him down, encouraging him the whole way while he crouches beside him, ready to catch him if he does fall.

“Brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared, buddy,” Chase says softly. “It means you do it anyway. And I’m right here.”

Oh, my God… that is so sexy.

Liam nods solemnly and slowly makes his way down. When he reaches the ground, he jumps around and screams, “I did it! I did it all by myself, Uncle Chase,” proud of himself.

Chase hugs him and ruffles his hair. “You did! I knew you could do it. Good job, buddy!”

My heart squeezes.

God, he’s gonna be such a good dad.

That is so damn hot.

I blink hard.

And realize for the first time… I really do want this… with him.

By 4PM, both kids are passed out on the couch. Both are sprawled with arms and legs everywhere, tangled in blankets, and their angelic little faces are absolutely adorable.

I curl up in the chair with Chase, resting my head on his chest as we both watch them sleep.

“Well?” he murmurs.

I smile. “We survived.”

He chuckles. “We crushed it.” He looks down at me. “Today was a good day.”

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