Page 58 of The Troublemaker

“We can do a fish fry tomorrow afternoon before we go back,” Alyssa says.

“You guys want me to cook them?” She laughs when a round of yesses go around the table. “Is that a yes?” she asks, and I love how comfortable she is with us all, how easily she fits in. That’s because she belongs here.

She belongs with me.

We all dig into our food and I savor the flavors. She arches a brow, like my opinion is important to her. “It’s delicious, Kins. Best I’ve ever had.”

“You’re just saying that,” she says and whacks me.

“Make no mistake about it. Your restaurant will be Seattle’s hot spot within a week.”

“Well I hope you’re right, because I don’t need any more mistakes in my life. I’ve made enough of them already,” she says with a laugh and nudges me. “We all have.”

My heart tightens a little. Does she not know that night was my best mistake? I make a mental note to tell her, when we’re alone.

We continue to talk about nothing and everything until the food is gone and the sun is low on the horizon. After the meal, we all help clean up, all except Kinsley. I sent her to the adirondack chair with a glass of wine to sketch out her design for her restaurant, since she did all the work.

Once the dishes are done, it’s dark, and since everyone is tired from an early morning, we all head back to our cottages. I go with my sister to help get the boys packed up for my place.

“You sure you don’t mind?” Nina asks. “You didn’t have anything personal planned for tonight?”

“No, we’re good. Kinsley wants to do this, too.”

“I like her, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” I say as I take Casey’s little hand in mine.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy before, big brother,” she says and reaches up to rustle my hair. The boys laugh. “Don’t let her get away, okay?” she says, her eyes and voice much more serious.

“I’m not sure—”

“She likes you, too, Cason. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

My heart does some ridiculous cartwheel in my chest. “What’s not to like?” I say giving her my best smart-assed comment, but deep inside I’m a hot mess of hope.

“Go,” she says and points to the door. “And take that big ego with you.” I open the door and she looks at the boys. “You guys be good for Uncle Cason and Aunt Kinsley, okay.”

Aunt Kinsley.

Wow, weird. I never stopped to think that she was their aunt. Their only aunt. My throat tightens. Jesus, if she walks when this is over, I’m not going to be the only one dealing with loss. These boys are getting to know her, and they like her. I usually don’t bring women into their lives. They do not need to see one coming and going all the time. That’s just not fair.

But Kinsley is no ordinary woman. Is that why I allowed her into their lives, because deep down, right from the start, I thought maybe I wouldn’t fuck things up, because this is something I really wanted?

We walk along the path, and the outside light is on as we approach my cottage. A little bubble of excitement wells up inside me and a smile I have no control over spreads across my face. I like the idea of her inside, waiting for me.

“Up you go,” I say to Casey, as Brandon dashes up the stairs. “We’re here,” I say as we enter.

“In the kitchen,” she calls out and we head down the hall. The second I enter the kitchen, see what’s sitting on the kitchen tab

le, the world sways around me.

“You have got to be kidding me!”

16

Kinsley

My heart jumps into my throat as Cason stands there, completely still, his brow furrowed, his gaze going from my very old Easy Bake Oven, to me, back to the ancient toy again. His expression is a mix of astonishment and disbelief and my throat practically closes over as I see the pleasure dancing in his eyes.

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