Page 43 of Summer with the Single Dad

“You can. It’s called arson,” Bennett confirmed with just a hint of fear in his tone, like he thought Aya might actually torch this kid’s house. “And we won’t be committing it.” He gave all three of them stern looks, his gaze softening and his lips curling into a small smile when he focused on Justine. “Got it?”

Justine and the girls all nodded and said, “Got it.”

“But if her house catches on fire from like a birthday candle or … or lightning, I don’t have to put it out,” Aya argued. “And I won’t go to jail because I didn’t make the lightning.”

“How about we stop talking about future plans to potentially let someone burn to death and just focus on right now and dealing with this little playground bully, hmm?” Bennett shook his head. “Jeez, kiddo.”

Justine snickered as she brought her water glass to her lips.

As sad as it was to hear that Aya was having difficulties with a child at school, the conversation surrounding it was extremely entertaining.

“Yeah,” Aya said with a deep sigh. “I’ll do those things. But I might tell her I hope lightning strikes her house when she’s old. Like thirty.” Her eyes went wide and serious. “She’ll be so slow getting out of the house because she’ll be old.”

“Thirty is not old,” Bennett exclaimed. “I’m forty-two. Do you think I have one foot in the grave?”

Aya’s expression turned confused. “That’s really old. And your feet are both under the table.”

Bennett blew out a big breath and glanced at Justine. “Help,” he mouthed.

They finished dinner with lighter conversation about the girls’ summer goals. Then Emme and Aya cleared the table, putting all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

“You have them well trained,” Justine commented, thanking Emme for removing her plate.

“Just removed the shock collar on the little one last week. It’s been a slow process. Took forever to house train the older one too.”

Emme understood his joke and shot him a playful, exaggerated glare.

“Can we have a treat, Daddy?” Aya asked.

He nodded. “I think there’s still sorbet in the freezer.”

“Justine, do you want some sorbet?”

“As long as it’s not tomato flavored.”

Aya made a face of disgust. “That would make me barf.”

Justine chuckled and faced Bennett where they sat at the table. “Thank you for opening your home to me. This is … unconventional, but also lovely. You have a beautiful family.”

His expression turned heated for just a moment, and a sexy red, rose into his cheeks. “I am really sorry about the cabin and the flood. I feel terrible.”

“It happens. Not your fault.”

Pressing his lips together, he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then pushed away and stood up, taking the remaining dishes from the table to the kitchen. The girls were already getting bowls and spoons ready for sorbet.

Definitely not wanting to be labeled a freeloader, Justine gathered napkins, and a couple of forgotten utensils, and joined the three of them in the kitchen. Both girls smiled brightly at her as she put the cutlery in the dishwasher.

“It’s like we’re family. All of us in here together,” Aya said with a wide-eyed innocence that pulled viciously at Justine’s heartstrings.

Justine’s gaze met Bennett’s and even though he wasn’t as nearly as freaked out as she was, she could see the trepidation on his face.

“I, uh … I’m not actually feeling very well,” she stammered. “I think I’ll skip the sorbet tonight and just retire to my room, if that’s okay?”

“Whaaaaat?” Aya’s pout made Justine want to give the child everything she ever asked for in the world, be it a pony or a bowl of raspberry sorbet.

Bennett gently squeezed his youngest daughter’s shoulder. “Justine’s had a long day.”

“Want us to bring you some sorbet to your room?” Emme asked.

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