Page 96 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“I’m, clearly, being framed.”

Planting his palms on the table, Alexios glowers, leaning over me. “These are a choking hazard.”

I gasp and cover my mouth. “Oh no. You’re right. Are you okay? I keep forgetting you’re only like half a year old. You haven’tst choked, have you, husband?”

“I’m nearlyelevenmonths old.”

Losing the act, I say, “Really? Your birthday’s next month?”

“No.”

My brow arches.

He huffs, straightening himself. “July 6th. My physical existence began July 6th.”

I’d bake him a cake shaped like a mushroom, but I doubt he likes cake, either. Also, he should actually enjoy his first birthday on some level. It can’t all be jokes. That’s cruel. July 6th, huh…

Very interesting.

Leaning a hip against the table, he rolls the tiny mushroom between his fingers. “I can hardly believe you’ve done this. Of all the things to do…”

“Are you actually upset?” I ask.

His gray eyes slash toward me. Narrow. “I’m plotting revenge.”

“Is that ayesor ano?”

“I don’t think I’m going to shift into a bat tonight.” He peers down his nose at me. “I think I’m going to recline on my side of your bed, prop the pillow you let tiny bat me sleep on behind my head, andsprawl, in male lingerie.”

My stomach launches itself into the exosphere. I cover one of Ash’s ears, pressing the other to my chest. “Xios. There’s achildpresent.” Lips curling, I lean conspiratorially forward. “I do takeit you found the mushrooms in your underwear, though?”

His brow crashes low, and he plants his free hand to his waist. “There isnoway. I feeleverything. If you got a mushroomin my underwear—”

“Ew. No. Not the underwear you’rewearing. The stack of underwear I bought. And filled with mushrooms. And put in your drawer. Just because.” I smile. “I’m thorough.”

His eye twitches. “I…believe I missed that… These—” He swears. “—things are even in the drawers?”

“Ofcoursethey’re even in the drawers. What do you take me for? In other news, I don’t recommend using your fan any time soon, unless you want a mushroom shower.”

He pins me with an expression I can only describe as equal parts revulsion and respect. Those darkening eyes of his take their time drinking me in. “You’re streaming tonight.”

This tone…it’s…suspiciously conversational.

Cautious, I say, “Yes? I am.”

“Interesting. Sure would be devastating if something happened during your stream, wouldn’t it?”

I run my fingers through Ash’s soft, dark curls. His hair has been coming in. Curly. My little boy is going to be a curly-headed little angel. “That sounds like a threat. Let the record show, I never threatened you. Besides, you barely use your bedroom these days. Too busy being a little bat on my pillow and protecting me from the scary things.” I bolster. “Aren’t I just thekindest? Opening up my home and my very ownbedto you?”

“The home happened as a side effect of moral manipulation, which you bestowed upon yourself. The bed…is because I am cute.”

“You are really, really cute.” I present my happy baby. “But so is Ash. And we don’t share. No, no. One hundred percentkindness of my heart and soul.”

“I may forgive you in exchange for your heart and soul.” Heunfurls his free hand, waiting.

I press my lips together. “Mm. I’ll pass. Yeah. Not interested, I think.”

His fingers close. “Very well. You’ve brought this upon yourself, then.” He whirls toward the exit, tossing the plastic mushroom in the air.

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