Page 92 of Summer with the Single Dad

She perked up a little. “Sloppy Joes!”

“Done.” He pivoted his gaze back to Justine. “I would like to discuss all of this with you further. Can we do it once the children have gone to bed?” His tone wasn’t unkind but there was something stern there she wasn’t sure of. Not an edge, but she knew she couldn’t deny his request, or even negotiate.

So she nodded. “Yes, of course.” Now she felt like an idiot just standing there. “I … I’m going to go pack.”

“I’ll help!” Emme announced climbing back out of her chair.

“Me too,” Aya echoed, which caused her sister’s eyes to roll.

They followed Justine upstairs. Not that she really needed help. And the girls didn’t really help. They just rolled around on the bed and peppered her with questions about her life.

“Why don’t you have a husband?” Aya asked.

“Why don’t you?” Justine retorted.

Emme snorted.

“Because I’m seven!” Aya blurted out in disbelief. “I’m not tall enough.”

Justine stowed her smile. “Right. My mistake. Well, I don’t have a husband because I just haven’t found the right person yet. I do want someone to share my life with. They just haven’t come into my world yet.” That wasn’t entirely true. Bennett was the perfect candidate, but she couldn’t tell his kids that.

“What about our dad?” Aya asked.

“Yeah, you and our dad get along great. He’s not married anymore,” Emme agreed.

Justine’s cheeks got hot, and she dropped her chin to her chest, focusing on packing her suitcase with clothes from the dresser. “Your dad is very nice and we do get along.”

“Then marry him. Then you’ll be our mom and never have to leave. Every day can be a beach day.” Aya shrugged and nodded, like it was all that simple and she’d fixed Justine’s biggest problem in life.

“You could do doctoring here,” Emme added.

She wasn’t fit to be a doctor anymore.

“Dad!” Aya called out, startling Justine.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to marry Justine?”

Justine buried her face in her hands.

“Uh …” Came Bennett’s voice.

“Yes or no?” Aya said with impatience.

“Not right now,” he said slowly.

Aya’s brows shot to her hairline. “That wasn’t a ‘no.’”

Both little girls giggled with delight then started doing more yoga poses—mostly snail, plow, and variations of happy baby—on the bed.

“Dinner’s ready,” Bennett called out.

Oh great, now she had to go back down there and face him after his daughter tried to betroth them. Just freaking great.

The girls hopped off the bed.

“You coming?” Aya asked to Justine.

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