“How many nights in a row have you fed me?”JP asked.
“Huh.”Allison grinned.“I didn’t expect to like him, but I kind of do.”
“Yeah, me too.”He didn’t want to, and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do when JP left him again, but he did like him.
“That’s because I’m loveable.”Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
“Oh, man.I hear that.Well, I’ll bring bangers and mash for supper tomorrow night.You can warm it up for the next day.”
He hugged her.“Thanks, girlfriend.”
“It was nice to meet you,” JP said.
Ian could tell he was beginning to flag.
“Same.I’ll let you rest.Are you guys all going to the park?I can come too,” Allison offered.
Two sets of bright blue eyes stared up at him, begging.
“Sounds like a plan.”Dammit.“Let me get him settled, and we can go.”
“Hecan settle himself,” groused JP.
“Okay.”He’d wanted another second alone, maybe a kiss, but JP could just settle himself.“I’ll be home in an hour or so.I’ll have my phone.”
“‘K, Chou.”JP’s eyes were already drifting shut.
“He calls youChou?”Allison asked as they went out.
“Yeah, he always has.”He wasn’t going to put too much on it.
She didn’t say anything, just looked at him, like she was waiting for more information.
“Kids, go get your shoes on.”They ran off, and he shook his head.“We aremarried.”
“Then where’s he been the last three years?”
“With the thing he loves best of all.”
She sighed and gave him a hug.“You need to look afteryou, honey.”
“I will.I am.It’s his house, right?”He just needed to remember that just because he was lonely, it didn’t mean anything.
“His house.”She rolled her eyes at him.“It’s yours and those kids’ home.”
“Yeah, but he—” He sighed softly.“Can we talk about something else, please?”
She linked their arms together.“If that’s what you want.We’ll talk about who got eliminated onTop Chefand watch the kids play in the park.”
“Perfect.They need some exercise and fresh air.”
“Like you don’t have a perfectly good back yard.”She never let him get away with anything.
“They play there, too, you meanie.”He poked her and made her giggle.
“God, you make me laugh, Ian.”
“I hope so; we’re best friends.”He grinned at her and rolled his eyes.“I know it’s complicated, but…this is wild.I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”
