Page 78 of More Than a Little Spark

Daisy rubs my back as she eases up beside me.“You look cute in your apron.But I can’t ignore what it says.”She inches up and kisses me.

“Hi.Considering you handed me the apron twenty minutes ago, I think this is a setup.”

“Totally.”She kisses me again.“Ivy texted that they are on their way.And I’m going to tell you something so that you aren’t caught off guard, but you can’t panic.Okay?”

“Just tell me.I’ll choose whether or not panic is warranted.”

“Lucas asked Dawn to be his girlfriend.And they are currently tucked around the side of the house, making it official.”

I reach for the strings on the back of the apron and give them a tug.That only gets them knotted.“Undo me.”

“They’re only kissing.You know, like we did multiple times on our first date.”

“I wasn’t sixteen.”I fiddle with the strings.

She rubs my back again, then reties the apron.“I’ll keep an eye out.But you might want to talk to Sutton, quietly, about what boundaries they’ve set up now that Lucas is driving.”

I grab the spatula, giving myself a reason to clench my fist.“All those people who told me that it gets easier as they get older were totally lying.”

“They’re good kids, Grayson.And you didn’t worry about our son like this.”

“You’re right.But she’s my little girl.She’s just not so little anymore.”I exchange the spatula for the charcoal rake and shift the coals.“Wait.Lucas?Isn’t he the shy one?”

Daisy grins.“Yes.And he’s never been anything but a gentleman with Dawn.”

“I’m shocked he managed to ask her.But I’ll talk to Sutton.”I slide an arm around Daisy’s waist and pull her close.“But thank you for telling me.”

“Give me a kiss, and then I’ll grab the burgers and hot dogs.”

I drop the barbecue tool and kiss her, lifting her off her feet.Even after all these years, she still makes my heart pound like it did the night of our first date.

The kids splashing in the pool make gagging noises, so I extend the kiss a few extra seconds.

When her feet touch the ground again, Daisy sighs.“I want more of that tonight.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Sutton strides up.“Sorry I’m late.Ivy is a bit emotional about all these kids growing up.”

I nod.“Speaking of, when did Lucas start driving?”

“He got his license yesterday.”Sutton glances around.“He should be here already.Have you seen him?”

“Not personally, but I hear he’s tucked away, kissing my daughter.”

Sutton grins.“He spent all week pacing through the house, rehearsing what he was going to say to her.But don’t worry.I made sure to establish expectations and ground rules.”

“I appreciate that.”

Daisy walks up, carrying a platter.

I take it, then blow her a kiss.“Thank you, darling.”

“Anytime.”She winks, then walks away.

“Could you maybe not flirt when I’m standing right here?”Sutton lays the sarcasm on thick.

Tyler

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