Page 66 of Simply You & Me

Clearing my throat quietly, I turn to Rory, who sits beside me at the kitchen counter. "Yeah?"

She shuffles closer to me with her lips twisted, like she's thinking really hard about something. Her bright blue eyes shift from me to the guys a few times before she whispers, "Do they love each other like they love you, or like they love Layla's dads?"

If the ground could swallow me whole so I don't have to answer the question of my curious eight-year-old, that would be great.

I whisper back, "What do you mean, honey?"

Rory huffs, her voice a little louder, like she's forgotten she has an audience. "I mean, are Z and Tate in love, or are they just friends?"

Avoiding answering her question, I ask, "What does that have to do with me or Layla's dads?"

Her attitude peeks out again with a mini eye roll that irks me just a little. "They’re in love with you, and they’re only friends with Layla's dads. I was using examples, Mom."

Soft chuckling and choking fill the silence that I was too afraid to break.

Is this how all parents feel? How the hell does she know to ask these questions?

I shoot a glare at Tate who’s hacking up a lung, and Zach, who’s gently patting his back while grinning at me.

I don't know what the hell they want me to say. Is this my area or theirs? It's their relationship, so shouldn't that mean they answer?

Zach lifts a brow like he's waiting for me to decide. I shrug, nod, and wave my hand at him to take the floor. I don't keep secrets from Rory unless necessary. I try to be open and honest with her so that when she's older, she knows she can talk to me about anything.

I never want her to go through what I did with Johnny and the bullying, but I want my sweet girl to know she can ask or tell me anything. Even now that there will be a younger sibling in the house, I want Rory to know that she's my best friend and I'll never judge her or shush her.

I just didn't know how hard it would be when your kid is so open at such a young age, though. I want to tell her everything all the time because she's my little soul mate, but she's only eight. How do I balance that?

And also, did I really just trust the guys enough to handle such a delicate topic?! What the fuck is wrong with me?! Two bites of orgasmic enchiladas and I'm like 'whatever'!

Too late.

Zach braces his forearms on the counter in front of us and gives us both a soft smile. "Yes Peanut, I love Tate, just like I love your mom."

Fuck. There goes my heart. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

My eyes burn, but this time I don't shove them down; I hold Zach's gaze. I read him seeing the truth in his gaze. He loves me.

"What about Jules and Wyatt?" Rory cocks her head.

This time Zach nods his head at me like he's asking me to take over. This feels like a dual parenting moment suddenly. Swallowing, I pry my gaze away from the two men in my kitchen and focus on Rory.

"Rory, you know that relationships and love come in all shapes and sizes, right?"

"Right." She nods. "Because some kids at school only have one dad and one mom. Some have two moms or two dads. Layla has four dads and one mom. And Z, Tate, Jules, and Wyatt love you, so Bean is going to have four dads. Right?"

Oh, fuck me. This is too much.

I'm thankful that Zach and Tate don't step in and make their own comments because even though they have been taking care of us for a week, we haven't had any more serious conversations. That should happen soon, though. Ugh.

"You're very right about all the different kinds of families," I praise, not commenting on Bean having four dads. "Well, Tate, Zach, Wyatt and Julian, all love each other too."

She nods like it makes total sense. "Just like they love you."

"Yes," Zach and Tate chime in before I can figure out how to bypass that statement.

My cheeks heat again, feeling overwhelmed by the heavy emotions they're directing at me. Rory doesn't seem to notice as she digs back into her enchiladas. I do the same, avoiding their gazes once again until a phone rings.

Zach pulls his out of his back pocket and throws the damp hand towel over his shoulder. Why is that so sexy? His face doesn't show anything as he answers the call. While he greets whoever it is, I munch away on the best meal I've ever had.

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