Page 28 of The Summer Arrangement
Now, it's my turn to blush. "Sorry, I was..."
God, get it together, dipshit. Pull your head out of your ass and focus on her actual words—not the fantasies flowing through your head.
"I was lost in thought,” I finally manage to spit out.
There—That’s not a total lie.
Her laughter fills the room, and that beautiful voice makes my chest squeeze tighter. God, I miss her laughter. Our friendly banter drew me to her in the first place.
"Obviously…” Shaking her head at my ridiculousness, she says, “I was saying I hope you like ribs. I also sautéed some mushrooms and asparagus. Milli helped make mashed potatoes, as well."
Then, my other senses hit me, and my stomach growls in anticipation. "Mmmm... It smells delicious. If you're not careful, we'll get used to this special treatment."
“Oh, it’s not that special, trust me. They happened to be on sale when I stopped at the store earlier.”
“Daddy, I set the table. Let’s sit down. Iz says wemusteat before the surprise.”
“Now I’m really curious.” I dart my focus from Milli to Lizzy and back.
Both are grinning conspiratorially, but Lizzie holds up her hands in surrender, when I stare at her a moment too long. “Don’t look at me. It’s her surprise, andwe’rekeeping it untilafterdinner,” she emphasizes more for Milli’s reminder than mine.
Milli shakes her head and punches her fists into her hips. “I told you, Daddy,afterdinner.”
“Okay… okay. I’ll wait.” Turning to Lizzy, I ask, “Need any help?”
“Just grab whatever you want to drink and have a seat. Your arrival is timed perfectly.” Placing two large serving dishes piled with food onto the table, she states, “Dinner is served.”
Once seated, I reach for Milli’s plate, but Lizzy beats me to it by placing a scoop of vegetables on it before it can be lifted. I suddenly find myself in disbelief in this simple gesture. As Milli’s sole provider, I’m used to being the one who does everything forher. No one besides my family has ever stepped into that role. The next thing I know, Lizzy places a scoop of potatoes with a rib alongside it, leaving me nothing to do.
How can she be so effortlessly thoughtful?
“Iz!” Milli suddenly chastises Lizzy, and I frantically search for what she’s clearly upset about.
Lizzy is just as clueless as me because she quickly asks, “What’s wrong, Mills?”
Milli’s brows have a deep crease, her lips purse as disgust fills her features. “Iz,” she warns, her voice raising in anger. Fisting her tiny hands beside her, she spits out, “I’mnota doggy!”
“Wha…” Lizzy starts, but my very determined daughter interrupts her.
“I’m not a doggy!” she repeats louder than before, then pushes her plate away before adding, “I don’t eat bones!”
Oh. My. Fucking. God. I’m dying.
Did she really just say that?
I’m at a complete loss for words, and I know better than to laugh at her expense in this moment.
Thankfully, Lizzy once again comes to my rescue.
“Oh… sweet girl,” she says, quickly grabbing her knife and Milli’s plate. “None of us are eating bones for dinner. Here, let me cut the meatfromthe bone for you.”
Milli crosses her arms and skeptically watches as Lizzy slices the meat away from the rib. When she’s done, she looks from me to my daughter. “Have you never had ribs before?”
“I’m certain we have… but maybe she’s too young to remember.” I shrug as if that should explain everything.
Milli just stares suspiciously at her pile of food.
Lifting a rib from my own plate I take a bite. “Mmmm… This is delicious, Lizzy.” I may have exaggerated at first, but then, the actual flavors register, making me moan for real. “Well, if youdon’t want to eat these, I guess it means I can eat yours after you have yourno, thank you bite,to make sure you don’t like it.”
