She heads up to the counter to get more napkins, and I follow her. My gaze drops to her plump ass, the ass that's been tempting me for the past six months. It's been a study in restraint to keep my hands off Alana and just be friends, but I'm hoping after tonight that will change.
She grabs napkins from the counter, and when she turns around, I corner her between the counter and the jukebox.
"Thank you for this, Amos," she says. "I appreciate you getting everyone out tonight."
"It's worthy of a celebration." My gaze darts to her lips, and knowing if all goes well I'll be kissing them in a few hours makes me rock with impatience.
"There's somewhere else I want to take you tonight."
She cocks her head and frowns. "It's getting a bit late for Kyra."
I take a step closer, stepping into her space in a way I haven't done for six months.
Alana sucks in her breath but doesn't move away.
"This is just for you and me."
Her frown deepens, and I put a finger to her lips because I know what she's about to say.
"Avery and Ed are taking the kids. They're having a sleepover."
Alana's eyes widen. "You arranged all this?"
"I arranged it with Avery and Ed. I haven't told the kids yet, because they're shit at keeping secrets."
"But are they okay with Avery..."
She trails off, because it's hard to describe my pregnant sister. That sentence could finish a number of ways, with Avery hungry all the time, with Avery emotional and weepy, with Avery enthusiastically cleaning and nesting.
"They can't wait. The bunk beds in the spare room are already made up."
The kids have gotten used to the monosyllabic Ed. My brother-in-law has been making progress with restoring his speech, but I think he prefers not to talk.
Sam has spent a lot of time with Avery and Ed and my parents. He's had sleepovers at both their houses. And I've made sure Avery has gotten to know Kyra. I'm hoping we'll all be family one day.
I haven't wanted to scare Alana, but I've been planning this night for the last six months. As soon as she told me what her priorities were, I knew what I had to do. I've made sure Avery and Ed were around when Sam and Kyra had playdates at my place. Kyra is used to them by now.
Now that Alana's got the adoption papers, I don't want to waste another moment.
"If you think it's best for Kyra, they can stay at your place. Whatever way you want to do it, but I've got a surprise, and it's just for you."
Her eyes widen and darken, and her gaze slices to my lips. I let out a low chuckle. "It's not what you think, if that's what you're thinking."
She shakes her head as a blush creeps up her cheeks. Alana's showed as much restraint as I have, but over the last few months, I've caught her checking me out when she thought I wasn't looking, her gaze lingering on my lips or my ass. Which is why I'm confident tonight is going to go well.
"So which is it? Because either way, you're coming with me."
"I'm happy for Kyra to stay at Avery's as long as she's okay with it."
When we put it to the kids, they jump up from the booth and both do a happy dance.
Thirty minutes later, we've collected Kyra's overnight things and deposited both Sam and Kyra with Avery.
We leave Alana's car at their place, and she joins me in the SUV.
I drive through town and past my apartment block. Alana's eyes narrow in suspicion. "Where are you taking me, Amos?"
I look over at her and grin. My stomach lurches with nerves, as I hope like hell I'm doing the right thing.
