Page 82 of Sin

Mare shuddered. “Ew.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Just then, Angela helped us dodge Allie’s questions by walking in with a large chocolate cake on a tray, instantly distracting the little girl.

“Who wants cake?” Angela crooned, placing it in the center of the table.

London returned to his seat beside me and elbowed me as I accepted a piece of chocolatey goodness. I grimaced, scowling at him. “What?” I mouthed to him.

He jerked his chin at the cake and shook his head. I pouted. Not even the cake?

“Fine,” I muttered to him. “But you owe me cake.”

His mouth upturned into a devious grin. “You want my cake, Sinclair?”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “I thought that was obvious, Donny.”

I got an elbow in the gut in retaliation.

Sarah bustled out of the kitchen with her own tray, but hers was filled with chocolate chip cookies. “I also brought some dessert!”

Everyone looked much more relieved at her announcement. And they grabbed some cookies, devouring them while pretending to eat the cake which was… dripping everywhere. Why was it dripping?

I passed up on both desserts.

After finishing up dessert, Bennett volunteered London and me for dishes. Not that either of us minded. I wanted to spend more one-on-one time with London.

While I washed, London dried.

Distracted, I stared out at the table full of happy, laughing faces, a wistful feeling taking hold. I missed moments like these. Moments where our worries were all but a distant thing and we could relax and truly live in the moment.

“What are you thinking about?” London asked, nudging my side with his hip. It hadn’t escaped my notice how he’d dodged being alone with his mom all evening. If she’d realized how her son was avoiding her, she hadn’t let on though.

“Time,” I said vaguely as I rinsed out a cup, grinning as Angela brought Mare a second slice of chocolate cake.

I held out the clean cup for London to take as I listened to Angela explain that she thought Mare deserved a second piece of cake, seeing as she’d eaten her first slice so fast. Mare forced a smile and slowly scooped a bite of the devil cake into her mouth. The moment Angela turned away, she scooped the rest of her cake into Eva’s purse, right alongside her first slice of cake.

It took me a moment to realize I was still holding the cup and London was staring at me. I tilted my head in question. “What?”

“You going to elaborate on that?” he asked with a teasing lilt, finally taking the cup from me to dry.

I chuckled. “I’m not thinking about anything in particular. Just being here, seeing everyone act so carefree… It’s nice, you know? Right here, at this moment, they’re genuinely happy.”

London paused, studying the table too. “I agree. It is nice.”

I nudged him lightly with my elbow and quirked a smile. “So how long are you going to keep dodging your mom?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not dodging her. I’ve talked a lot with her tonight.”

“You know what I mean, London. It’s apparent she’s missed you. Why won’t you talk to her?”

His lighthearted expression hardened. “I don’t need you butting into my family issues, Sin.”

“I wasn’t trying—”

“You were. My family problems aren’t your business.”

His words stung, even if I could see his point. No one appreciated unsolicited advice. Especially from the person who caused the issues in the first place.

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