“What’s wrong with this?” Micah wondered, a small grin forming. He knew where this was headed and, very soon, Wendy would appear and join forces with her husband.
“Hey.” Nick flashed a crooked grin. “I know we’re fantastic people, but you need to expand your horizons, Micah. Put yourself out there, find yourself something…warm and furry to cuddle up with at night.”
Micah nodded and pursed his lips. “I have been thinking about getting a puppy.”
Nick laughed. “That wasn’t what I was talking about.”
“Who says I like them furry?”
“Well, then, warm and slippery,” Nick smirked. “I don’t care. Just something to heat up that bed of yours. It’s got to be arctic at this point.”
“I have an electric blanket.”
“Yeah, well, an electric blanket doesn’t get you nice and toastyinside…if you know what I mean.”
Micah made a comical face. “Unfortunately, I do. Please stop talking.”
He was saved from any further sexual banter by the four-year-old boy who burst into the room wearing Scooby-doo footie pajamas. He leaped into Micah’s arms without warning. “Whoa.” Micah caught him with one arm, barely keeping his cup upright. He grinned. “Hey, wild thing.”
Eli giggled and locked his arms around Micah’s neck. “Guess what, Uncle Micah?”
“Umm…what?”
“We get to open a present tonight,” he exclaimed, excitement radiating from every pore in his body.
“Oh, yeah?” Micah squinted. “Me, too?”
The boy nodded emphatically. “Yep.” He thrust up his index finger. “But justone.”
“Ah, man. Just one?” Micah pouted. “I want to open themall.”He tickled Eli. The boy squealed and squirmed frantically.
“Just one.” Wendy Mandrake confirmed upon entering the living room, her slightly swollen belly not yet a hindrance to her gentle saunter. “If I left it up to you boys, it would look like a gift store massacre in here before Santa could even make an appearance.”
“What do you meanusboys?” Nick countered. “What did I do?”
“Don’t give me that innocent ploy,” she warned with a cool smile. “I saw you last night,discreetlytrying to peek into your presents.”
“Wasn’t me,” Nick smirked. “Must’ve been some burglar.”
“Huh-uh!” Eli piped up, laughing. He jabbed an accusatory finger at his dad. “It wasyou.”
“How do you know?” Micah eyed the boy suspiciously. “Were you right there with him, trying to peek, too? Huh?” He tickled him some more.
“No!”Eli howled, flopping over Micah’s arm as he tried to wriggle away from his tickles.
“I see how you are,” Nick grumbled. “Sell me out to save your own skin. Hm. What a loyal son I have.”
Eli squirmed his way out of Micah’s arms and ran from the room laughing.
“Crazy tike,” Micah chuckled, his laughter dying down when he caught Wendy staring at him,thatlook in her eye. He smiled and shook his head, holding out his hand in defense. “No, no. Don’t go there.”
“Seriously, Micah.” She brushed a brunette strand behind her ear, her dark eyes sparkling. “You would make an amazing dad.”
“Yeah well, I don’t think I’m up for being a single parent.” His smile twitched, knowing what was coming next—whatalwayscame next.
“I wasn’t suggesting that.”
“I know you weren’t,” Micah teased.
