Page 96 of Irresistible

“No,” we all chime in with various levels of enthusiasm.

Of course we want her happy, and there’s no better man out there than Pappy, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t take some getting used to.

“Well, Iamhappy,” she says emphatically. “And I have all of you in my life, so there’s no need for me to have anyone else—I had my love story already with your granddad. Now it’s your turn.”

Callum clears his throat and we all turn, surprised when he opens his mouth to speak.

“Best to keep an open mind,” he says. “That’s what you’ve always told us.”

Well damn.

It’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop, and Grinny runs her hand down her arm like she’s stunned speechless herself. But in the next second, she snaps out of it and slides her hands together.

“Who’s ready to eat?”

It breaks the spell, and we start piling the food on our plates.

Marlow’s quiet throughout dinner, but afterwards, Theo rolls out the chalkboard that we’ve played games on for years and we play Pictionary. Before long, she’s laughing and joking like she always does.

“That’s nothing close to a donkey,” Scarlett cries, pointing at Callum’s attempts.

“Ears,” he says, pointing to the two long triangles on top of what looks like a skinny dog.

Scarlett grumbles and Callum tries to embellish his drawing before erasing the whole thing.

When we’re done with the game, we walk into the room where Dakota and Owen are watching a movie. Both of them are asleep, their heads touching.

“Aw, they’re so cute,” Marlow whispers.

Owen’s eyes open and he blinks slowly.

“Hey, I think we’re heading out,” I tell him.

Marlow bends down to pick up Dakota, and I put my hand on her waist. “I can carry her.”

She looks at me over her shoulder and after a moment, she nods, standing up straight. I bend down and pick Dakota up, telling her I’ve got her when her eyes open. They flutter closed again and I smile down at her, feeling a rush of love I didn’t expect to have in my life.

God, I love this little girl.I almost say it out loud to Marlow, and then I’d add,And I love her mom too, but I’m not sure Marlow’s ready to hear that…especially not today when she’s seemed off.

It’s probably not the time or place or way to tell her for the first time.

But there’s no question in my mind.

We tell everyone bye and head out to the car. Marlow opens the door for me, and I put Dakota in the booster seat. And then before she can get in the car, I put my hands on either side of her door and lean down to kiss her.

Someone whistles at us and Marlow jumps. I lean back reluctantly, looking over her shoulder. When I see Sutton laughing as he drives past us, I shake my head.

“Yours is coming, brother,” I yell at him. “Sorry ‘bout that.” My thumb brushes over Marlow’s cheek. “You’d think for a judge, he’d know how to play it subtle, but he can’t help himself.”

“It’s funny,” she says. “Does he do this with every woman you bring around the family?”

“Yeah, I don’t bring women around the family.”

“Mm-hmm.” She gives me a look.

I lift my shoulder. “I don’t.”

“Hmm. Just not the commitment kind?” she asks.

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