She swept her gaze over me, concern tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I didn’t know you were struggling.”
I brought her hand to my mouth, pecking just above the hinge of her wrist. “Everyone struggles in one way or another. You and Kat have lightened my load a lot. I’m hoping I can do the same for you.”
Her eyes darted to where my lips had just been. “Did you just kiss my hand?”
“I did.” I shot her a wide grin. “Problem?”
“That was very…forward.”
“Mazzy…” I dipped down, pressing another kiss, and another, and another, pecking all over the back of her hand. “I think you can handle a couple friendly kisses. We’ve done a lot more than that.”
One brow arched. “Do you kiss all your friends’ hands? What about Murphy?” She tapped her cheek. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing that. It would be pretty hot.”
I gave her hand a yank, nearly spilling her out of her chair. She flailed and squealed, catching herself on the table.
“Ben!” she cried.
“Mazzy,” I snapped back. “I’m not kissing Murphy to fulfill your dirty little fantasies.”
Pink bloomed on her cheeks as she giggled, light and floaty. “Do you object to Murphy specifically or all boys?”
“Mazzy.” I tried to be mad, but her laughter was too contagious. “I’m not making out with any guy for your entertainment, least of all Murphy. And I really don’t like that he’s the first name to enter your mind.”
“Well, I could hardly suggest your brothers, and I told you, I don’t have any men in my life.”
“None? No neglected boyfriend lurking, wishing I’d drop dead for taking up all your time?”
“No, I’ve been a little too busy over the last few years to date.” She raised a brow. “What about you? Is there a girlfriend ready to claw my eyes out for having a sleepover at your place?”
“Pffft. As if.” I shook my head. “No one has tamed me yet.”
“I doubt there's a woman capable.” Her mouth curved into a smirk. “You’ll just have to find one who likes your wild side.”
“I’m not looking for that. I’m happy with things the way they are.”
“Me too.”
It was good she was in agreement. I intended to be around a lot. If things kept going the way they were, she’d never get rid of me.
Chapter Twenty-one
Ben
AfterIfinishedeating,I went into the kitchen to wash the dishes. Mazzy joined a minute later, placing a piece of paper on the counter beside me.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. If we both sign and file it, you’ll be added to Katty’s birth certificate and legally be her father. If you’d like to do a paternity test first, I completely understand—”
“I know she’s mine.” I yanked open a drawer, grabbed a pen, and scrawled my name faster than I could blink.
Mazzy laughed at my enthusiasm. “Okay. I guess that answers that.” She added another stack of papers to the counter. “This is a preliminary custody agreement.”
This I was far from happy to see. “We don’t need this.”
“We do, Ben.” She inched closer, her hand coming to rest lightly on the back of my arm. “I work in family law. I’ve seenparents blindsided far too many times. This will protect us both—andKatty.”
I frowned, my gut plummeting with dread. Things were going so damn well between us, and this felt like the beginning of the end. Next thing I knew, we’d have drop-offs and pickups, and our easy, cozy evenings would be a thing of the past. I’d get a lot less time with Katty—and Mazzy. The thought of losing either made my stomach roil and knot.
