Page 71 of Almost Ours
Connor is finally digging into his pancakes like he hasn’t eaten in days, and Ryan–God help him–has him cracking up between every bite.
Ryan leans back in his chair, twirling his fork between his fingers. “Okay, but seriously, did you see my dive, though? Olympic-level right?”
Connor nearly chokes on his orange juice from laughing. “More like belly-flop level probably.”
Ryan puts a hand over his heart. “Wow. Brutal. I risk my life for you and this is the thanks I get?”
Connor grins. “Sorry, Ry. But I’m pretty sure you did kind of flop.”
I shake my head, smiling into my coffee. “You did.”
Ryan gasps, feigning betrayal. “Not you too!”
The teasing and laughter fill the space like sunlight, pushing away the heaviness from earlier. And just when I think this morning can’t possible get any better, there’s a quick knock at the door before it swings open.
Nina and Liam step inside.
“Heyyy!” Connor shouts, hopping down from his chair. “Liam!”
Liam beams. “Dude, we got a new game for you.”
Nina gives me a knowing look before shifting her attention to Connor. “Liam insisted we stop at the store first thing this morning,” she says, setting a bag on the counter. “Figured you could use something fun after the other day.”
Connor’s eyes go wide. “For me?”
Liam nods. “Yeah! Wanna play?”
Connor spins toward me, already bouncing on his feet. “Mom, can we?”
I laugh, nodding. “Of course.”
Connor turns back to Liam, throwing his arms around him in a quick hug. “Thanks, dude! Thanks, Nina!”
Nina ruffles his hair. “Anytime, kid.”
The boys take off upstairs, leaving me alone with Ryan and Nina.
Nina crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow at us. “Well, well, well.”
I sigh, already knowing where this is going.
Ryan pushes back from the table and stands. “Alright, that’s my cue.”
He grabs the last few dishes from the table and carries them to the sink, rinsing them off like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Then he turns to me. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah,” I say, ignoring Nina’s smug look.
Ryan smirks and heads toward the stairs. “Gotta say bye to my boys first.”
My boys.
My heart does something stupid at that.
Nina watches him disappear upstairs, then slowly turns to me, her grin growing by the second.
I hold up a hand before she can even start. “Just don’t.”
She lets out a laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, Harper. You are so screwed.”
