Page 3 of Only Ever You

I roll my eyes. “She’s five. Leave her alone.” Shifting my gaze to Pippa, I nod toward the picture she’s colouring. “That’s a cool cat. Is that Roger?”

She shakes her head. “No, silly. Roger’s white. This cat’s black.”

I chuckle.

“Why are you being so nice to her?” Lucas asks.

I turn toward him. “Because you’re lucky you have a little sister. I don’t have anyone.”

His face falls. “You have me.”

“I have both of you.” I tilt my head. “You’re like family.”

A tearing sound behind us makes us both turn, and Pippa stands, a piece of paper in her hand. “This is for you, Lucas.”

She hands him a picture of a black kitten. It’s a good effort from her—mostly inside the lines, and she beams at him as if she’s just painted the Mona Lisa.

“For me?” His whole attitude changes, and he smiles.

“I was going to give it to Deacon, but you’re the grumpy one today.” She grabs hold of his arm and hugs it. “I love you.”

Lucas, who’d just been scowling at her, lights up like a Christmas tree. “I love you too, Pippa.”

She pokes my arm with an index finger. “The next picture is for you.”

I give her a gentle smile. “I’d like that very much.”

“I’m going to draw a dragon for you.”

My brow dips as I tilt my head. “A dragon?”

“You and Lucas would fight a dragon if we saw one.”

I laugh. “Pipsqueak, when would we see a dragon?”

Her hazel eyes widen and she holds up her palms, her fingers splayed. “They could be anywhere.”

Lucas shakes his head. “Mum’s reading her a book about dragons at the moment.”

“Dragons?” I say, stroking my chin. “I think there’s a dragon behind you.”

Pippa lets out a squeal, and Lucas glares at me with a ‘What the fuck’ expression, but I laugh, leaping out of my chair and tickling Pippa.

“That’s not fair.” She screams with laughter.

I let go, and Lucas shoots her an affectionate look.

“We’ll slay the dragons, Pip,” Lucas says.

She places her hand on her heart. “Whew.”

“Deacon.” Lucas’s dad walks toward us. “I’m just heading out to grab some fish and chips. Want me to drop you home for dinner?”

“That’d be great, Mr Chapman.”

“Daddy, can I come?” Pippa looks at me before switching her gaze to her father.

He reaches down and bops her on the nose. “Not today, Pipsqueak. Your mother wants you inside.”

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