Page 107 of If Only In Our Dreams

“That’s rude you know,” Robin pointed out. I grinned, wide and unrepentant, and he grinned to mirror mine.

“Think about it,” I hummed, trying not to be biased—and failing. “Maybe you could have a different home base too, if your label changed. Somewhere…snowier.”

Robin grew stiff all over again, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. It was the same look he always gave me when I pushed too hard, too fast. But I couldn’t stop myself. I was running out of time, and I needed him to know I wanted him here—even if he wasn’t ready to process that yet.

“This bed is awfully big for one person,” I wheedled, keeping my tone light.

“Yeah, right,” Robin snorted with an eye-roll and the gentlest shoulder-shove known to man. “You’re the size of three people combined.Ican barely fit in here, and I’m like a quarter of your size.”

I bit him again and he cackled.

“Belleville needs more emo-punk musicians,” I added, sweetening the pot. Robin looked pleased that I actually knew the correct way to label his music. “More Christmas songs,” I added, tone softening even more. “Love songs too.”

“Your mom wants me to be a wedding singer,” Robin informed me, cheeks pink. “She told me at the book club that your cousin is getting married. Tried to hire me.”

Christ.

I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t apologize,” Robin waved me off. “I like that she doesn’t know who I am. I like that no one does.” He shruggedagain. “It’s nice to just be…me, you know? Miles’s big brother. Bubba’s uncle. Your—” Robin cut himself off, eyes widening.

“Tiny goth shadow,” I hummed, even though we both knew he hadn’t been about to say that.

“Yeah,exactly.” Robin bobbed his head.

“Who would bring me coffee when I’m tired if you moved all the way back to L.A.?” I asked, once again trying to entice him. It was silly, bribing him with something that clearly only benefited me. But it definitely worked, because Robin nodded along, like his coffee deliveries were the most important part of his week.

“Who would teach Jane to sing?” Robin fretted, not realizing that he’d been caught in my web.

“She’s worried about the play,” I agreed. “She needs your expertise.”

“But that’s over by Christmas,” Robin frowned. “She won’t need help for long.”

“There are other plays,” I told him, my heart still thumping erratically. “She wants to be a performer. But she’s shy?—”

“Miles was like that too,” Robin informed me, dark brow still knit seriously. “He needed a lot of help socially.”

“You could help her the way you helped him.” I was playing dirty, and I knew it. Robin loved the twins. Probably more than he liked me, if I’m being honest. “You’re better at that than I am.”

“AndRosie—” Robin groaned, mussing up his own hair as he stressed. “Who’s gonna help her with the cat?” Rosie was only five dollars away from meeting her goal, thanks to Robin and his sneaky enthusiasm. “You’re too busy being hot and smart,” he added seriously. “You don’t have time to learn to be a cat dad.”

I bit back a grin. “You would make agreatcat dad,” I told him just as seriously.

“I know!” Robin wailed, twisting to look at me again, his pale green eyes fraught with emotion. It took him a second, but itseemed he’d finally caught on to my evil plan. His eyes widened, and then softened. And then his cool, scratchy palm was cupping my cheek. “You are one sneaky bitch, you know that?” he hummed before pinching my cheek to punish me.

I shrugged a shoulder, copying his signature move.

“Hey, Ben?” Robin asked a few minutes later after he’d snuggled into my side and turned his attention back to Bing Crosby.

“Yes?” I asked, sleepy and quiet, tucked up beside him.

“Would you really want me to stick around?” Robin asked, his voice wavering. “I mean…not that Ican. ButifI could. Would you…would you want that? Not for the girls, or—the coffee or whatever.”

“Of course I would,” I told him honestly. “You’re my sunshine.”

Robin melted, muffling a swear against the pillow and a groan.

He twisted around, phone forgotten completely this time, and as he flung his arms around me he kept his grip gentle so as not to further twinge my back. The fact it was this sore did not bode well for the relay race tomorrow. But I’d already come to peace with losing, and I was fine with that.

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