Page 37 of Over and Above

“Agreed.” I smiled encouragingly, happy to have mitigated some sibling conflict.

“A cohesive menu would be good,” Eric added.

“I’ll make a spreadsheet.” Wren reached down for a pile of books and electronics beside their chair, but Eric made a warning noise.

“No tablets at the table.”

“Okay, okay.” Wren returned their attention to finishing their food, and the table continued discussing various Thanksgiving-related logistics until the meal was finished. Diesel had to leave for a night shift, and I walked him out to get a moment to catch up on his work and baby news.

However, after admiring the ultrasound photos from the twenty-week anatomy scan yet again and commiserating about bosses who wanted overtime as the holidays approached, I went back inside to help with the cleanup efforts.

“I meant to invite you for Thanksgiving, not make you cook it,” Eric grumbled as I joined him in wiping counters.

“I’m already looking forward to it.” I added a little wink because we were alone?—

“How do you feel about a bacon-wrapped bird?” And, of course, Wren chose exactly that moment to pop up on the other side of the kitchen island, complete with a scientific-looking cookbook with sticky notes on the pages. “Or trying the flip-the-bird technique? We want as juicy a breast as possible.”

By the grace of God, I managed to keep a professional tone. “We can add both to the list of possible options.”

“Do you have thoughts on pies?” Wren flipped to another section in the book while also juggling their tablet. “Apple and pumpkin are the classics.”

“Actually, I can do those.” Eric seemed happy to have something to volunteer for. “My mother’s crust recipe might as well come in handy.”

“Count me in for helping peel apples.” No wink this time, but with luck, we could turn late-night pie-making into at least one stolen kiss. “And I’ve got a killer dessert brandy you could add in or serve alongside.”

“My mother would never.” Eric did an excellent job of pretending to be scandalized, complete with his hand on his heart. “I love the idea. Brandy apple pie it is.”

A timer beeped on Wren’s tablet, and they stood up, frizzy hair, cookbooks, and all.

“You guys can finalize the pie options. I’ve got a physics study group.”

“Excellent.” Eric did the same encouraging dad voice I’d found myself using a time or twenty. “I’m so glad you’re making friends at the high school.”

“Friends?” Wren gave a rather murderous grin. “Sparring partners. Competition for the top GPA slot. Excellent cannon fodder in Dungeons and Dragons. But sure, let’s go with friends.”

“Still happy,” Eric called after them as they made their way up the back stairs. John had already made himself scarce, and Maren had retreated downstairs to rest after Diesel left.

“Alone at last.” I waggled my eyebrows at Eric. “I’d say it’s exactly as I planned it, but the dinner invite and dog-napping were all on your kids. I was going to come around later after dinner and homework time to see if you were in the mood for a movie.”

“Always.” Eric glanced at the back stairs before adding some warmth to his smile. “And sorry Wren nabbed your dogs again. I can talk to them about the difference between checking on them for you and borrowing the dogs.”

I’d worked out a similar deal with Wren to the one I’d had with Shelby, where on longer days, Wren would check the water and food situation and make sure the dogs had access to the dog run. Inevitably, the dogs ended up back at the main house—either Wren, Maren, or occasionally Diesel’s doing.

“Nah. If Wren likes the company after school, I’m certainly not going to deny them or the dogs that fun. Even if they are getting rounder and lazier.” I reached down and gave both dogs pets. Naturally, they’d stuck close by for the cleaning, available to catch any stray crumbs.

“I’ll tell Wren to cut back on the puppy treats.” Eric said this with no trace of irony as he handed out treats from a jar on the counter. A jar, one might point out, that he had purchased and filled.

“Don’t think Wren’s the only one who needs that lecture.”

“Maybe not.” Eric was adorable when he blushed, so I leaned in for a sneaky kiss. However, he waved me off at the last second. “We probably shouldn’t risk it with an awake house.”

“I know.” I kept my tone agreeable, but inside, I wondered if others knowing we were the sort of friends who occasionally kissed would be so bad. I was already over a lot, and the kids, including Diesel, knew we watched TV together occasionally. In many ways, things would be easier if we were simply more open, but Eric tensed at the mere suggestion of seriousness, so I simply said, “I’ll keep a respectable distance for the movie.”

“At least until bedtime.” Eric’s voice was a whisper, but his heated look was a roar. And that right there was why I kept coming back, despite his continued insistence this was a casual fling. It was also my most successful relationship to date, secrecy notwithstanding.

“Better plan on a double-header.” I matched his look with one of my own.

“Already on it.” Eric headed toward the living room, looking back over his shoulder. “I’m thinking a deep dive into nineties takes on class reunion comedies.”

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