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Molly smiled at him and rounded the counter, moving toward him. She suddenly stopped, and he waited. “Can I hug you?”
He rolled his eyes, grabbing her hand and tugging her close. “I think it’s safe to say you can do whatever you want with me.”
“I didn’t know if you had any more conditions or terms. What are we doing anyway?”
He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’d say that we’ve got two children together.”
“Yes, we have.”
“I’m now living in your house.”
“You are, and you take out the trash. That is a huge step up for you.”
He loved seeing her smile, and he realized in that moment, that they’d not had this since they’d dated in high school. Neither of them had teased or talked in such a long time. The times they’d tried to talk, it had always ended up in arguments where they ended up saying rotten shit to each other.
“It’s a huge step up. I’m sharing your bed.” He let that one whisper against her ear. They’d not had sex. By the time they both got to bed, he just wanted to hold her in his arms. Sasha sometimes woke up at some point with a nightmare. It didn’t happen every single night, but he’d been told she’d grow out of it. He was starting to wonder who these people were, and what made them experts in the human mind.
Still, he couldn’t complain, not really. They knew more than he did.
“You are sharing my bed.”
“So I think it’s safe to say that maybe—and don’t get too shocked by this—maybe we’re dating.”
She gasped. “Are you going to ask me out? Make it all official?”
“I think I should, so here goes. Molly Tatum, mother of my children, I fancy you lots. Will you be my girlfriend?”
The laughter was a delight to his ears. She tugged his head down, kissing him. “Yes. A million times yes. I will be your girlfriend. Can I admit something to you?”
“You can admit anything to me.”
“I kind of fancy you, too.”
“You are both so sweet,” June said, hands on her hips. Her stomach was getting larger every single day.
“I’m sorry for interrupting. I know we’re not allowed to enter.”
“You’re fine. I just didn’t want to get distracted.”
Molly pulled out of his arms. “How is she?”
Just then Aria came to the doorway. “How did I do?”
“Come and see.”
Sasha and Luke got out of their chairs and rushed toward the main bakery. They stopped in the doorway, and he didn’t have a heart attack at the thought of his babies entering a potential hazard zone. Years of working on building sites had gotten him a little worried.
Stepping up behind Molly, he gripped her shoulders and stared at the abundance of baked goods on display. It all looked amazing, professional, and like June had done it.
Aria wiped her hands on the cloth. “I went to a night school for the past two years. I do a lot of baking at home.”
“Honey, consider yourself hired,” June said. “Trey is going to adore you.”
Molly hugged the other woman as well. “Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.”
June laughed. “She’s struggling with brownies.”
“Can we have a cookie?” Sasha and Luke both asked.
He couldn’t help but laugh at their sneakiness. They both went for that sweet voice that they clearly knew people loved.
June checked with Molly before handing them both a cookie, and they chuckled, biting into one.
Their moans of approval filled the air, and he wrapped his arms around her. He wanted her all to himself, to be able to get the chance that they didn’t have when they were younger.
“You know, I’ve not even checked to make sure you want the job,” June said.
Aria chuckled. “I’d love it. Can I start immediately?”
“Sure. I could use your help.”
“I’ve got to head back to work,” he said, kissing Molly’s temple.
“Okay.”
“Don’t go walking home. I’ll pick you all up, and we can head home together.”
He got a hug from both of his kids, who each told him they loved him. He and Molly had talked to them about him being their father. Never had he been so worried, as that conversation that could make or break his relationship. Both of them had been excited at finally knowing who their daddy was. Sasha had taken his hand and asked him to take her to school, which he’d done. She’d told all of her friends who he was, and it had been a proud moment for him.
Heading over to the tattoo parlor, he waited as Trey finished dealing with a customer before looking at him. “Do I want to know the verdict?”
“Your wife has just hired her, so I’d say it went well.”
“It did. Aria can bake?”
“Yes. She can bake, and decorate, and make things look oh, so beautiful,” he said, placing a hand against his forehead.
“Screw you. June needs to take care of herself, and she’s not been doing a great job of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The doctors advised that she start doing lighter duties, especially as she’s getting further into the pregnancy. Heavy lifting can cause complications.”
