Page 136 of The Persistence of Thornes
I have to bite my lip to hide my smile. “Your dad would probably prefer it if you slept in your bed,” I warn her.
Lips pursed, she shrugs. “It can be like a sleepover.”
I arch a brow at Quinn in silent question.
He shrugs, mouthing, “I don’t care.”
“If it’s okay with your dad, you can sleep on the couch.” I’m not her parent, so it’s not up to me to make thatdecision, and I have no interest in stepping on toes. Though I can’t imagine Caleb being upset if I did make the call.
The dishes in the dishwasher rattle as I close it and press start. And as it begins its cycle, it makes a whirring sound so quiet, I can’t always tell whether it’s actually going. So like I always do, I lean down and double check.
Okay, I may be getting used to it, but clearly, I’m still skeptical.
As Caleb descends the stairs with Case’s pillow tucked under one arm, Seda strides his way, already going in for the kill.
“Daddy?” she says, her tone extra sweet. “Can I sleep down here on the couch with Quinn and Casen?”
Caleb’s eyes widen as they dart to his daughter.
I have to turn away, otherwise his frightened expression will send me into hysterics. He looks like a wild animal caught in a cage.
“No,” he answers without hesitation.
She pouts, hands shooting to her hips. “Why not? I have sleepovers all the time.”
“With girls,” he mutters, dropping the pillow on the mattress.
“Are you going to marry Halle one day?” she counters.
I blanch. How the hell did I get dragged into this?
Caleb meets my eyes, wearing a tiny, devilish grin. “Yes,” he replies without hesitation.
“Then Casen and Quinn will be my stepbrothers, right?” She lifts her chin, waiting for him to respond. When he nods, she says, “So what’s wrong with a sleepover on the couch?”
Caleb lets out a beleaguered sigh. Clearly, he doesn’t want to agree, but she’s backed him into a corner.
“Fine,” he says, his face a mask of defeat. “If they’re okay with it.”
Ah. My chest tightens in anticipation of how this is going to play out.
He figures they won’t want her to hang around. What Caleb has forgotten is that my brothers rarely do what’s expected of them.
“I don’t care,” Casen says, stifling a yawn. “I’m crashing as soon as I get one of those brownies any way.”
Quinn shrugs. “Seda can hang out. I don’t care.”
Caleb turns away to hide his frustration.
“If that’s settled,” I say, “I know it’s early, but I’m exhausted, and I have to work in the morning.” I kiss Casen on the top of his head, hit with a memory of when they were little and I’d do the same thing. I kiss Quinn on the head next. They’re much closer to being grown men now than to those tiny versions of themselves. “Sleep tight.” I hug Seda, then shuffle for the stairs.
It's only a little after seven, but I’ve barely slept in days, and I’m close to delirium.
On autopilot, I change into pajamas, brush my teeth, and climb into bed.
I’ve barely dozed off when my bedroom door eases open and Caleb is hovering over me, his lips on my ear.
“You’re sleeping in my bed.”
