Page 101 of Only in Your Dreams

I scoff. “We’re having kids now, huh?”

“I was thinking two. Twins, if we’re lucky, so they’d be as close as you and Parker.” Zac tips his head thoughtfully. “That’s all up for discussion, of course.”

Whatever his feelings are toward Parker, it melts me that he thinks so highly of my relationship with my brother. Images of a life here with him and our own twins start fading in and out of my head. The lazy morning sex we’d have before a chaotic morning of dressing and feeding the kids, the coffees we’d have in this very spot while they run around the lush lawn.

Except I can’t stay. I owe it to myself to make another go of it in the city, minus the bad relationship. Zac’s life is here. His job, our friends.

I nibble at my lip, reluctantly mopping the fantasy from my head. It leaves behind murky streaks. Images I can’t let go of.

“But I’m moving away, and you’ll be here in your house that’s too big for one person.”

And we’re being reckless, getting attached while not knowing where to go from here.

“Clover,” Zac says, after a lengthy pause in which I endeavor to look anywhere but him.

“Mhm?”

When I still don’t muster eye contact, Zac drags my chair away from the patio table and tugs me into his lap. I curl into his chest instinctively. The safe space I carved for myself since the night in that tent, waiting for an animal attack.

“Listen, Mel…”

The glass door behind us slides open, and Noah sticks his head out from the kitchen.

“Hello, lovebirds,” Noah calls. “How are we on this fine morning?”

Noah has stuck around Zac’s house since last week’s home opener. It was a little awkward at first, but I love how Zac and I have slipped into an organic domesticity together, with Noah as a nice bonus.

“Your timing is impeccable, kid,” Zac says dryly. His thumb draws lines up and down my thigh.

Noah comes to hover behind us, holding the back of our chair. “Parenting one-oh-one: don’t have kids and expect to maintain your personal space.”

“You’re twenty,” Zac points out. “What do you know about parenting one-oh-one?”

“Absolutely nothing,” he says cheerfully. He untucks his phone from his pocket, waving it at us. “My grade came in for that kinesiology assignment.”

“And?” Zac shifts us to get a better look at him. I watched them both huddle in the kitchen over this assignment a few days ago, with Zac assuming the role of patient tutor. It had been his major in college, same as Parker and Summer.

“Got an A.”

Beside me, Zacwhoopswith so much enthusiasm you’d think it was his own grade.

God, I shouldn’t be surprised at this point. But seeing him interact with Noah has been an eye-opening experience. They’re brotherly, sure. But Zac’s also a proud, attentive, surrogate dad to Noah.

It’s so unbelievably panty-melting.

“I’m heading to class early today,” Noah says, fist-bumping Zac. “You two lovebirds enjoy the morning, Noah-free.”

“Noah,” I call before he disappears into the house. He pauses and I frisbee a blueberry waffle that he manages to catch in his mouth like a happy puppy. “Don’t make a habit of skipping breakfast, alright? You’re the best part of my morning.”

I’m not the best when it comes to sappy, touchy-feely stuff. But Noah’s eyes round a touch over the waffle in his mouth, catching the sincerity in my words—that maybe he’s not always wanted at home, but we sure as hell want him here. The corners of his mouth lift before he retreats inside.

“Best part of your morning, huh?” Zac tucks my hair behind my ears.

I blink innocently. “You’re a close third, don’t worry. After Noah and the waffles.”

“Brat,” he says, eyes crinkled in a smile. “But seriously, thank you for embracing the Noah thing. I get nervous every time he heads home these days. If I had it my way, he’d just stay.”

“It’s hard to imagine anyone mistreating a kid like that. He’s so… full of life, despite what he’s been through. Resilient.”

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