Page 66 of The Double Play

“I want to go back to last night with you,” I admit in a whisper.

He hums, kissing below my ear. “I can’t make time travel happen, but I wouldn’t mind repeating last night. Why don’t you meet me outside once the girls are in bed?”

“That sounds nice,” I say, trying to keep my tears in check.

I want to blurt everything out and get it off my chest. The pressure is building inside me at a rate that I won’t be able to keep in much longer. I open my mouth to tell him I need to talk to him when June runs into the kitchen. Emmett moves away slowly. My face burns as June looks up at us with wide eyes.

“Miss Hazel, can I have sprinkles on my hot chocolate? Raven wants some too.”

It seems the two of them are already conspiring. Raven probably sent June in here because she thought we wouldn’t be able to refuse her cuteness. She was right.

I smile at her. “If your dad says yes, then you can.”

“Daddy, can I pleaseee have sprinkles?”

“Yes, but Miss Hazel is going to put them on, not you.”

June’s bottom lip juts out. “Okay.”

“What do you say?” I prompt her.

“Thank you, Daddy!” She bounces over and wraps her arms around the both of us.

“You’re welcome,” Emmett says, amusement in his voice. June turns to leave, but Emmett stops her, shooting me a meaningful look before saying, “Wait, Miss Hazel and I have something we want to tell you.”

June tips her head to the side. Emmett bends his knees to be down on her level.Oh, we’re doing this now.A fluttery feeling fills my stomach. There’s no real reason to be nervous, but this still feels like a big deal.

“Miss Hazel and I are dating now. Do you know what that means?” June shakes her head no. “It means that you might see us be closer and hug each other. And she’s going to spend a lot more time with the both of us.”

A smile stretches June’s lips. “That is the best thing ever! Will we have more sleepovers?”

I choke on a laugh. Emmett presses his lips together.

“We’ll see,” Emmett says in a tight voice.

“Yay!” she cheers, taking his words as ayesper usual. “Can I go color now?”

I laugh. “Sure, sweet pea.”

She hugs Emmett, then hugs me tight too before skipping out of the kitchen. Emmett rises to his feet.

“That went well,” I say.

His expression is soft when he replies, “I knew it would. She loves you.”

The warmth in his gaze rivals the hot cocoa on the stove. He dips his chin and presses a kiss to my lips. I want to sink into it, to enjoy this newfound intimacy between us, but it’s hard when there’s so much on my mind. I pull away before he can deepen the kiss, but try not to show anything in my expression that would reveal my inner thoughts.

“Should probably get this off the stove before it burns,” I say quietly.

The hot chocolate is thick as it flows into each of the mugs. My recipe is closer to sipping chocolate than hot cocoa. It’s a mixture of recipes I’ve tweaked over the years. Raven calls it ‘death by hot chocolate.' I call it my comfort drink, which I desperately need after today.

After a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a dash of pink princess sprinkles, the mugs are ready to go.

“I’ll get two and you get two?” Emmett suggests.

I nod, forcing my lips into a smile. He presses a brief kiss to my lips before grabbing two of the mugs and heading to the living room. I follow behind him, careful not to spill the drinks. Emmett sets one in front of June, who’s on the floor by the coffee table. Her hair is wet from her bath and she’s got on her ocean pajamas since we’re watchingMoana.

“Thank you,” she says sweetly.

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