“It’s okay.”
“We’ll get in some car time before I go,” he says.
When I get to the bottom of the stairs, my skin tingles with awareness as he follows me into the living room.
“We have a guest room.Why don’t you stay in there?”He shakes his head.“I don’t mind the couch.”
“I’ll get you a pillow and blanket.”
I grab the extra pillow from my bed, which has a pink satin pillowcase and a fluffy white blanket.When I get back to the living room, our cat is purring in Magnus’s arms and he’s standing next to the couch.
“That’s Dong,” I say.“He might sleep on you tonight.”
“Dong?”
“I know.It’s a cartoon robot’s name or something, and my boys were set on it.So ...yeah.”
His lips curve up slightly, crinkles forming in the corners of his eyes.“You’re a great mom.”
His words are the opposite of flippant.He’s intently focused on me, his compliment hitting me harder than I would have expected it to.I know I’m a great mom, but it’s not often I hear those words from anyone other than my boys, and it feels good.
“Thank you.”
I put the pillow down on the end of the couch, my heart racing.Then I set the blanket on top of it and say, “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
It’s good that only I know how tingly I am right now, because it’s embarrassing.I’m normally quick and quippy, but I hold myself back with him.If I didn’t, I’d be telling him that blanket is one lucky motherfucker because it gets to lie on top of him.
“I’m going to bed,” I say.
Want to come knock some holes through my wall with the headboard?
“I had fun tonight.Good night, Blair.”
“Good night.Let me know if you need anything.”
There’s no way he’s thinking what I’m thinking when I say it.But what a night it would be if he was.
8
Magnus
The warm, soft feel of breath on my cheek makes my eyes fly open in surprise.
“I knew you were awake!Come on.”
Coop tugs on my hand, Dong uncurling from his perch on my chest and jumping to the ground.
Of course.I’m at Blair’s house.It’s been years since I woke up in bed with another person, so I knew it wasn’t a woman.
“Hey, Coop, good morning.”I scrub a hand down my face.“Give me just a sec.”
I slept in my undershirt and tux pants, curled up on my side because I’m too tall to lie flat on the couch.When I get to a sitting position, the scents of vanilla and cinnamon remind me that Blair’s making breakfast.
“Let’s go play cars.”Coop tugs on my hand, trying to lead me over to the stairs.
“Hang on.”
