"Take what?"
I have no idea what she's talking about until I drop my gaze and spot the edge of a bright blue piece of paper wedged in her palm. "And be discreet, dude."
I smile as we shake hands,discreetlytaking the piece of paper from her.
Unfortunately, the next thing I do?
Not so discreet.
She slaps the side of her face and scoffs in disbelief as I unfold the paper out in the open.
"What?" I ask.
She tips her head toward Evie and Fraser who are staring at us, grinning. "Smooth," Beth mutters, rolling her eyes.
I shrug, figuring the damage is already done and read her note.
Except it's not really a note.
It's more of a coupon, actually.
A coupon that entitles me to the one thing I've been missing and thinking about every day I haven't been with her these past few weeks.
One free kiss.
"I'd like to cash in my coupon, please," I say as soon as I shut the door to the kids' room behind me and make my way to Beth, who's sitting on the couch in my hotel suite.
"I still can't believe you read the note in front of everyone," she says, closing the book she's been reading while I tucked Josie and Jonah in. Because as she told me when I asked her about it, she never leaves her house without one. "I was trying not to raise suspicions."
I drop down next to her. "Are you really that embarrassed to be associated with me?"
"Of course I am," she says with a smile. "I also love how you have literally zero chill and are claiming your kiss the second the kids are asleep."
She has no idea how much I've been missing her, craving her, dreaming about kissing her again. But seeing as I'm already a weirdo who has zero chill, I don't want to addcomes on too strongon top of that.
"Me having zero chill is only part of it. Jonah's developed a habit of getting up a few minutes after I put him down and bringing me random things he collects."
"Why"
"Not sure. I think he thinks he's being helpful."
"That's so sweet." Beth smiles. "They're both great kids."
My chest warms at the compliment. "Take after their old man, I guess."
"Whatever."
She may have rolled her eyes, but that doesn't stop her from leaning over and sliding her hands over my shoulders then just as quickly sliding them off and retreating to her side of the couch when she catches Jonah bounding into the room with a remote control in one hand and a notepad in the other.
He extends his arms and proudly displays his latest haul. "For you, Daddy."
"Sorry," I mutter to a giggling Beth, before glancing at Jonah.
"Thanks, buddy," I say, taking the items from him. "Want me to tuck you in again?"
He nods and lets out a yawn. "Yes, pwease."
"I'll be back soon," I say to Beth.