Page 70 of Over and Above

“John thinks we should go to the school fundraising carnival,” I said before John could escape upstairs.

“Does he?” Eric tilted his head, gaze moving back and forth between John and me until he nodded, apparently satisfied. “Then I guess it’s a date.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Magnus

I picked Eric up for our date night to the school carnival at the main house, so we could walk together to the high school. My dogs greeted me from their spot on either side of the recliner where Maren and the baby lounged, watching a recent rom-com.

“You look nice.” Eric gestured at my wool coat and white button-down. I’d taken time to shower and change when I’d returned from The Heist. “Now I feel underdressed.”

“Don’t. You’re getting all the good dad points,” I said as he pulled his coat on over a Mount Hope Football Dad sweatshirt.

“Thanks.”

“What do you think they mean by the carnival having a Valentine’s Day theme?” I asked as we stepped onto the porch. “Kissing booths like in Maren’s movie?”

“Ha.” Chuckling, Eric bumped shoulders with me. “The only one I’m kissing tonight is you.”

I glanced back at the door and window to make sure we were truly alone, and he laughed harder.

“After months of me being the one nervous about people overhearing, it’s kind of funny to watch you jump.”

“Sorry.” I exhaled with each step toward the front yard, trying to will myself to relax. “Diesel said something similar the other day. I’m trying to find my chill, I swear.”

“Is it the publicly dating a guy thing?” Eric paused near one of the scraggly rose bushes.

“No.” I met his gaze so he’d know I wasn’t lying. “It’s more about your kids and hoping they truly are okay with me dating their dad. I didn’t fully realize until the family meeting that I’m not only dating you. I’m courting a whole family, and that’s a little daunting. I worry about saying or doing the wrong thing.”

“I get that.” Eric’s features softened. “John did invite you to come tonight.”

“Which was surprising, but him suggesting it gives me hope.”

“Then hold on to hope.” Eric took my gloved hand, and I let him. We held hands the whole way to the school, and each step closer eased my tension. This was what I’d wanted. Being out with my person, waving to the neighbors, walking together. Normal, everyday life.

At the school, we were greeted outside the gym by a ticket booth where Eric purchased a stack of tickets for the games different classes and clubs were running to raise funds. As he finished the transaction, Wren came loping up, hand out.

“I require funds. The cookie booth is cash only,” Wren announced to Eric before turning to me. They wore a long-sleeve T-shirt with a piece of cake decorated with an ace Pride flag. “Hi, Magnus.”

“Hi. Nice shirt.”

“Valentine’s is a corporate ode to romantic excess.” Wren smiled smugly. “I felt compelled to do my part to push back. That, and Maren got me the shirt.”

“Should we bring back cookies for Maren and Diesel?” Eric asked. “I asked if they wanted to come, but Maren was worried about so many people and germs with the baby.”

“You’ll have to be the ones to take them a treat.” Wren gave a regal sniff. “I’ve been summoned to a sleepover.”

“The Dungeons and Dragons group?” I guessed.

“Yes.” Wren smiled wider, clearly pleased I remembered. “Bix’s mother has promised donuts in the morning for our next campaign.”

“Excellent.” I matched their grin, my chances of getting Eric to come back with me to the carriage house going way up. We hadn’t had much alone time of the adult variety since the baby’s arrival, and some quality sex might be exactly the reset my brain needed.

“John’s working at the football booth.” Wren gestured behind us at the crowded gym. “You have to hit a target to win a prize. It’shard.”

“I’m sure.” Eric’s tone was sympathetic.

“See you later.” Wren ran off again, likely in search of cookies and more games to spend their tickets on.

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