Page 157 of State of Denial

“I’m very lovable.”

Scotty snorted with laughter that earned him a bop on the head from his mother.

“Why is that funny?”

“You hate people but say you’re lovable. Sorry, Mom, but you can’t have it both ways.”

Equal parts horrified and amused, Sam said, “I hate people who are extra and get in my way on the job. I don’t hate people in general.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Hey,” Nick said when he joined them, dressed in his after-work uniform of sweats and his favorite ratty Harvard T-shirt. “What’re we fighting about?”

“That Mom can’t hate peopleandsay she’s lovable.”

“That is a dilemma.” Nick cast his hazel gaze her way as he took a seat next to her on the sofa. Aubrey and Alden gravitated to his lap, and he wrapped his arms around them. “On the one hand, she does hate people in general. On the other hand, an awful lot of them love her. Even more so now that she’s the first lady.”

Sam made a face to let him know what she thought of that even as she adored seeing him surrounded by kids who loved him. He’d waited such a long time to have the family they’d created together.

He laughed at her playful scowl. “Well, it’s true.”

“That’s all your fault.”

“True, but I can’t help that people love you. I mean, if anyone understands that, it’s me.”

“Don’t make it gross,” Scotty said. “Sick children are listening.”

Sam and Nick bit their lips to keep from laughing.

He waggled his brows at her over the heads of the Littles, who were looking sleepier by the minute.

When the movie ended, they ushered the kids downstairs, to vociferous protests from Scotty, who didn’t think he should have to go to bed at the same time as the twins. “Age should have privileges,” he said.

“You have lots of privileges,” Sam reminded him as she gestured to the dog who never left his side. “After you take Skippy out to pee, you can watch TV or read, but you need your rest so you can get better.”

“Do I have to stay home tomorrow, too?”

“Yes, since you haven’t been fever-free for twenty-four hours.”

“Oh,” he said, seeming disappointed.

“What’s up with you? I thought you’d be thrilled to miss more school.”

“I am, but sometimes it’s fun there.”

“I need a minute here,” Sam said. “Nick, call Harry. Something is seriously wrong with Scotty.”

Her son rolled his eyes at her.

“I’m sorry, but did you just say school isfunsometimes?”

“Don’t make a thing of it.”

“Too late. It’s officially a thing. I can’t believe my ears.”

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