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Hudson
I pull into the driveway. My house is pitch black while Palmer’s is flooded with light from almost every window. I swear she never worries about the electricity bill. I’ve been the one to teach Adley to turn off the lights after she’s done in a room.
As always if I’m by myself, I veer toward Palmer’s back door instead of going into my own house. I’ve never liked being alone. Up until we moved here, I always had roommates even when I didn’t need one to share the rent. I’m a people person, and I find being alone lonely most times.
I open the door, and I’m surprised to find Palmer in the kitchen. She turns to me since she’s wearing her cochlear implants and heard me. These days when she has Adley, she usually always has them on, so she can hear if anything happens when they aren’t in the same room.
She raises her hands. I heard about your new client.
I roll my eyes. “Harper?”
Laughing, she stirs what looks like spaghetti sauce. It’s one of Adley’s favorites and an easy go-to when you’ve had a long day. I place my hands on her shoulders, massaging them. The stress and pressure of a book deadline always leaves her tight. She leans back into me, and I wrap my arms around her.
“You need a really good massage,” I whisper.
She sets the spoon down and turns around. Harper says I need to get laid.
“That’s what I said this morning. I’m not sure I like having the same thoughts as her.”
Again, she giggles and moves to the oven, where she takes out garlic bread.
I have no idea what Theresa has planned, but I’d love to stay here. “Do you have meatballs too?”
Placing the hot cookie sheet on the empty spot on the stove, she smiles over her shoulder and shakes her head.
“What? Spaghetti but no meatballs?”
She removes the oven mitts. Adley doesn’t want them tonight.
Sometimes I don’t understand my little girl. “Speaking of Adley…”
Palmer inhales a deep breath and nods. I know.
“Kissing?”
Wanting to kiss.
I scowl at her. “Same thing.”
Not really.You know I’ll get the blame. Romance author, remember?
“That has nothing to do with it.” I step out of the kitchen. “Adley!”
Do we have to do this now?
“I’m done with getting the phone calls. Where were you earlier that you couldn’t answer your phone, and I had to be bothered at work?” I usually never give her shit, but I’ve gotten the call from the school the last four times, and it’s getting embarrassing.
Oh, you’ll never believe it. My cousins gave me—she stops talking and turns around to face the stove.
“What?”
Before I can pry it out of her, Adley runs into the room. “Daddy!”
I pick her up and place her on the counter, caging her in with my arms on either side of her. “I cannot believe we have to have this conversation again, but Holden wants to play at recess, not be chased by you and your friends.” I sign at the same time as I speak. It’s what Palmer and I have done since she was little to help her learn. It’s amazing what little sponges young kids can be.
She huffs. “No, he doesn’t, Daddy.” She crosses her arms.
I glance over my shoulder at Palmer, who is hiding her amusement with a dishcloth in front of her mouth.
