Page 48 of Holding You
I nod, outsmarted by my child once again.
“He’s right. Let me make you both a plate.”
“I can do it,” Declan says quickly. “Thank you.”
“Yes!” The kids cheer at the same time.
“We should watch Mario again tonight after dinner,” Max says to Susie, who nods eagerly.
“Well … that’s—” I think over my words. It’s night two. The kids are excited. A movie should be fine. Still. “We should make some ground rules,” I say to Declan as soon as he sits down.
“I agree.”
“How about after dinner, once we have the kids all set to go downstairs, we can make a list.”
“Make a list,” he repeats. “So organized.”
My lips part to argue, but Max beats me to it.
“That’s my mom. She loves a good list.”
His smile is so proud.
My eyes meet Declan’s for the smallest moment before he shovels a fork full of food into his mouth.
My gaze shifts slightly to his jaw and the way he chews. He’s always had chiseled features with a slight shadow of a beard, but right now, his jawline is more pronounced than usual and his lips look plump and soft, and oh my gosh, I’m staring.
I look away quickly, focusing on my plate, stuffing my face, and listening to the kids talk about the different ways Bowser could have beaten Mario.
On my next bite, I look up once more.
My eyes find his like a magnet.
His lips tug to the right and then he winks.
“Dinner is delicious, Ruby. Thank you again for letting us join in.”
I can feel my cheeks heat from the compliment.
“Yes, thank you,” Susie adds with sauce all over her chin.
“Anytime. Maybe we can add dinners to the list.”
“Only if you get to cook more nights than my dad,” she says in a whisper.
Declan doesn’t even try to look offended. He just grins and says, “I second that vote. Your cooking is way better than mine.”
I smirk but look down so he can’t see it, and continue eating.
Better than him.
It has a nice ring to it.
The rest of the dinner goes with ease, and I hate to admit that I actually enjoy the company.
As soon as we are finished. Declan takes Susie downstairs to change into her pajamas and start a movie.
Max also changes and then sprints to the basement.
