Page 25 of Don't Leave Me

“Nothing. You just keep standing there looking breathtaking.” I wink, making her chuckle.

“I'm in yoga pants and an old sweatshirt. My hair is a mess and I have no makeup on. I do not look breathtaking.”

“Well, you’re going to have to take that up with my lungs because you stole the breath right out of them when you walked in the door.”

“Oh my gosh!” She snorts with laughter. “That was the worst thing I’ve ever heard!”

“Eh, it got you to laugh, that’s really all I care about.” I press a soft kiss to her temple before I begin to cut the bread into even slices.

“What’s for dinner?”

“Spaghetti and homemade meatballs with homemade garlic bread.”

“Sounds delicious. Do you like to cook?”

“I love it. That’s one of the things I like about living here. When I was living alone, I didn’t cook much because there would be too many leftovers. Now, I have other people to eat whatever I make, so I can cook a lot more.”

“That’s really cute. I hate cooking. I’ll bake all day long, but I don’t want to cook.”

“You sound like my sister.” I chuckle. “You just need to marry someone who likes to cook and eat dessert.”

“Yeah, I really do.” She grins up at me and I instantly think of what it would be like to have her as my girlfriend and eventually my wife. We’d have adorable kids, that’s for sure.

“Can you put this on the table, then you can sit down while I bring the rest of this out?”

“Sure.”

After we’ve all sat down and we’ve said our prayers, I serve everyone their food. I'm about to take my first bite when Bree looks at Sophia with a look I can't quite place.

“Sophia, why won't you date Uncle Peck?” She asks the questions so innocently and I nearly choke on my spaghetti.

“Bree!” I hiss, but she ignores me. So does Sophia.

“Well, he hasn’t asked me out.” She shrugs like there’s no other reason.

“I told ya, all you have to do is ask her out,” Danny singsongs, but then he frowns. “Hey, I asked you out and you turned me down. What gives?”

“I’m twice your age and it would be illegal. You can call me when you’re twenty and if I'm still single, we can talk.” She rolls her eyes at him, making him the happiest ten-year-old boy in the world.

“Well, Uncle Peck, aren’t you going to ask her out!” Bree practically shouts.

“Oh my gosh,” I grumble under my breath. “Soph, will you be my girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“See, I knew she wouldn’t-” I freeze mid-sentence and my gaze snaps to hers. “Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said yes.” She giggles. “I’ll happily be your girlfriend.”

“Aren't you going back to Philadelphia soon?”

“I'm not sure yet. I might have a new reason to stay in Maple Springs.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, trying to hide her smile.

Chapter 10

Sophia

“You have sauce…” I trail off as I lift my hand and swipe at the corner of Peck’s mouth.

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