Page 90 of Headed for Home

Drake struts toward us, his skin freshly decorated with nonsense scribbles. His hair is mussed to match the heavy droop of his eyelids. Thick stubble coats his jaw but those devastating dimples pop as he smirks. I grip the counter to resist launching at him.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Maybe.” I wink.

“Thought so. My nose was itchy.”

“Did you scratch and sniff?” I inhale the scent of woodsy spice and artificial fruit, which must be from…

“Oh! Speaking of markers, check this out.” Drake angles his chin to expose sloppy words scrawled on the side of his neck. “Mac and Cheese branded me. Gonna make it permanent.”

“Don’t you dare.” My ovaries won’t survive and I’ll end up pregnant with triplets.

The blue ocean in his gaze pulls me under. “You can come to the appointment. Maybe get ink of your own.”

I’ve actually been considering it, especially after recent events. “Okay.”

“Really? That was easy.”

“It’s not a big deal. I already have one.”

“No sh—oot?” His wide gaze latches onto the twins sitting at the table, very much within listening distance. “Where?”

I fold my right ear to expose the spot. “Got this after Mimi passed.”

His thumb drifts over the infinity heart. “This is the symbol from the post that’s hanging over your driveway’s entrance.”

I nod, fondness wrapping me in a hug. “We adopted it as Greener Pasture’s logo. Mimi made that wood sign ages ago. More sentimental than anything.”

“Very special. I love it.” He bends to kiss the token I always carry with me.“Maybe I’ll get one added to my Mac and Cheese tattoo.”

“You’re messing with me,” I breathe.

“Nope, I wouldn’t joke about something so personal. I’ll have the kids keep their design fresh until we can get an appointment.”

“Why would you permanently mark your skin with their random doodles?”

“What you consider a random doodle will soon be my most treasured piece.” Drake winks. “At least until you draw on me.”

“Gladly.” I hook an arm around the back of his neck and pull him into a kiss.

“Get a room.” The complaint comes from Scott as he shuffles into the kitchen, a noticeable limp in his stride.

“We had one.” I gesture to the suddenly crowded space. “You intruded.”

His gaze roams to my cousin. “Still single, Paisley?”

“Not if you’re asking.”

“Ouch.” But he chuckles. “I’ll take that as my cue to exit gracefully.”

“Like that’s possible for you.” Drake laughs and claps him on the back.

Scott winces. “Thanks for letting me crash after your boyfriend railroaded me.”

“Two peas in a very strange pod,” Paisley muses.

Kenzie and Charlie wedge themselves into the small gap separating me from Drake. My little girl blinks up at him. I brace myself for the slew of possibilities she might spill.

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