Page 91 of The Love Syllabus

He’s standing tall and at ease, wearing his “Chef Grimes” apron over a fitted Howard University t-shirt that flexes every bit of his tattooed arms and broad chest.

Lord, help me.

He’s in his zone, pulling a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls from the oven, oblivious to us at first. Not until Syd and Ari dip their fingers into the frosting. Then, his head lifts, and his gaze finds mine.

The hunger in his eyes is unmistakable—so full and raw that I nearly crumble. But just as I start to drown in it, a smirk tugs at his lips, replacing our moment of vulnerability with something lighter.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

He leans casually against the counter, shaking his head. “Such a shame to look that good in an ugly outfit.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

He gestures toward my pajamas, feigning disappointment. “We only rep HU Bisons in this house.”

I snort, rolling my eyes. “Boy, please. I’m a proud CAU Panther!”

Before I can say anything else, he moves around the counter, closing the space between us in just a few strides. And then, he hugs me, casual and friendly.

Except there’s nothing casual about the way his hands linger at my waist, the way his fingertips graze my skin as he pulls away.

A shiver runs through me, but I keep my voice light. “Are you as excited to see me as the girls are?”

His smirk fades into something deeper. His voice drops just enough for only me to hear. “Even more.”

After helping Vic prepare the dessert bar, I follow the girls into the family room, and I’m stunned. A princess fort stretches across the room like a little palace, beautifully decorated with twinkling fairy lights. Miniature tables draped in pink and gold are set up for the dessert bar. A projector screen waits withThe Princess and the Frogqueued up. The whole space is transformed into something out of a fairytale.

I blink in awe. “Oh my goodness, this is beautiful! How long did it take Ms. Tina and the team to set this up?”

Ari tilts her head, confused. “Daddy did this. He decorates every weekend. We pick the theme, and he makes it happen.”

My gaze snaps to Vic. He looks embarrassed in the cutest way.

Then, he clears his throat, shifting under my scrutiny. “The girls wanted a princess night.”

Syd grins, practically vibrating with excitement. “Because, Daddy, we’re your princesses, and you’re the king! And now that Ms. Kind is here…”

Ari smiles sweetly. “We finally have a queen.”

Their words warm my heart, and my throat suddenly tightens.

King. Queen. Princesses. A family. Something I have yet to create on my own. But tonight, I get to live in my own little fairy tale.

The night is pure magic. We have a princess tea party with cinnamon rolls, giggling between bites. We sing along to every song inThe Princess and the Frog, dramatically belting out lyrics while Vic shakes his head, pretending he’s too cool to join in.

But it’s inside the fort where we tell our own fairytales, where we create our own happily ever afters.

By the end of the night, we’re tangled together in a pile of blankets—Syd nestled against Vic, Ari curled against me, our hands clasped between them.

Just as their eyes begin to droop, Syd lets out a sleepy sigh. “Ari, is this what it feels like to have a mommy?”

I feel Vic tense beside me. His thumb stops brushing over my hand.

We both wait.

Ari was only four when she lost her mother. She barely remembers her. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose the greatest love you never even got the chance to know.

Syd stirs again. “Ari?”

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