Page 74 of The Ex Puck Bunny
“It really is.”
I’m certain Heidi hears the exchange and to her, I say, “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She replies, “Thanks for being a team player.”
“As long as we’re on a team together, I’m in.”
After the kids play glow-in-the-dark tag and exhaust themselves, almost everyone disperses with their goodie bags we stayed up late last night assembling.
I spot Heidi talking with Sophia and the latter cajoling herdaughter into what kind of birthday she wants. With Sophia’s merciless prompting, she’s throwing McAyla McKenzie a mermaid-themed party for her next party, featuring real mermaids. I’m not sure how she’ll come up with that, especially in a landlocked state.
Maybe we’ll be MC’s version of what the Rice family is for me. Just because the Schusters live in a nice home, doesn’t preclude them from causing problems for their children.
As they walk down the driveway, Heidi sticks her tongue out at Sophia’s back.
“Such a brat,” I say in a flirty voice.
“She’s the brat.”
“Are we going to be at war with them?”
“No. We host unicorns. It’s peaceful over here.”
I chuckle. “Just watch, one of our kids and one of hers will fall in love.”
Heidi’s eyes widen. “No!”
I shrug. “Murphy’s Law?”
“Who is this Murphy? I want to have a word with him.”
After we clean up and get a very happy Bunny to bed, snuggling her favorite unee-corn stuffed animal and a new one that is just about the same size as she is, we thank Mr. and Mrs. Rice and then say goodnight.
Heidi flops onto the couch. “I only get to do this sixteen more times.”
I lower down and take her feet into my lap, giving them a rub. “What do you mean?”
“She’s going to grow up.”
“Yeah, she will and we’ll treasure every moment along the way.”
She peers up at me. “I didn’t think I’d have awe.”
“You’ve got me and that’s not changing no matter how many jelly beans you eat or how bratty you are.”
“Never?”
“They say never to say never, but I’m going to say it and repeat it and promise it.”
She snuggles up with me.
I shift so we’re a breath apart then say, “I will never stop loving you.”
“I’ll always love you.”
Our sleepy kiss gets interrupted by a beep from Heidi’s phone. Mine lights up next with notifications. It’s the unee-corn video of us from earlier.
“Did you already post it? How? When?”
