Page 14 of Designs on You

“I don’t know. Maybe all of them. And I saw cocoons, too.”

“Whoa. What did you think of the cocoons?”

“I loved them. They’re like little cuddly nap spots where the butterflies get ready to show off how pretty they are.”

He grinned. Eugene could tell from Cammie’s wide eyes and look of excitement that she’d enjoyed the butterflies a lot.

Natalie gave him a warm smile and that made him feel good, though he had no idea why. He was just having a good time. Plus, there was no denying he’d enjoyed the food.

So far it was a great night.

Next up would be game time, and then the night would really be fun.

• • •

After Natalie did the dishes—which, surprisingly, Eugene helped with—they all gathered in the living room to play games. She had planned to beg off and watch while she caught up on some work, but Eugene insisted this was a family event, and Cammie and Christopher insisted as well, so she joined in.

He’d brought everything, including the game console. The kids were so excited as they filed through all the games. It was clear he understood their ages. They started out with a hedgehog game, which both the kids enjoyed. It kept their interest, both of them laughing as they maneuvered the characters through jumps and obstacles. Natalie had to admit she found herself immersed in the colorful world along with her kids.

They played several more games, including a dance game that left them all breathless and laughing. She could have done this allnight. So could the kids, but she could tell they were wearing down.

“Okay,” Natalie said. “It’s time to get ready for bed.”

“Aww.” Christopher looked disappointed.

“Hey, buddy,” Eugene said. “We’ll play games again. And if it’s okay with your mom, I’ll leave the game console here, and you and your sister can play anytime you want.”

Natalie looked at him. “Oh. You don’t have to do that.”

He laughed. “Trust me. I have a lot of these things. And I only loaded appropriate games for their ages on this one. I can show you how to navigate the system.”

“Okay. Give me a few minutes to get them ready for bed?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks, Eugene,” Cammie said, slinging her arm around his neck. “You’ll come over again, won’t you?”

Christopher climbed on the couch and sat next to him. “Yeah, you’ll come over and play with us?”

An unexpected rush of warmth fused through him as their small bodies pressed against him. “You couldn’t keep me away.”

He looked up at Natalie, who was giving him warm looks, too.

Well, hell.

“Okay, you two, let’s go,” Natalie said.

“G’night, Eugene,” Christopher said.

“Bye, Eugene,” Cammie said.

“Goodnight kids. See you soon.”

He leaned back and took a sip of his iced tea, totally thrown by these feelings.

He liked kids. Always had. He designed games for all ages,from kids to adults. He didn’t have children of his own or even nieces and nephews. Not yet, anyway. But he understood kids and what they liked. He’d done research studies and could design the hell out of a game that was age appropriate. And now he was designing a ride for kids of all ages.

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his emails. Some of his staff had obviously been working today, because there were reports and questions about code and design that he’d answer later. But nothing urgent, so that was good.

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