Monroe lifted her glass slightly. “Until further notice,” she said.
Something told me that she didn’t like sharing the spotlight. And judging by the look she was giving me…she had already decided she didn’t like me either.
Chapter2
“Okay, buddy, tell me what you think comes next?” I looked over at my son five-year Melo who stood next to me on the stepping stool. His little monogrammed chef’s hat and matching apron were adorable. A smear of flour rested on his soft, full cheeks.
“Hmm,” Melo tapped his chin with his index finger in thought as he stared at the ingredients on the marble island.
I chuckled in amusement, reaching over and brushing the flour off his cheek with my thumb.
Melo finally smiled, his deep dimples sinking into his cheeks. He picked up the small glass bowl of fresh blueberries. “We fold in the berries?” he asked hopefully.
“Ding-Ding-Ding.” I grinned widely in confirmation. I brought the wooden spoon in my hand up to my mouth. “Good job, buddy. Judges, tell him what’s he won?” I mimicked a game show host, extending the spoon to my little sister, Angel, who stood across from us.
She jumped right in; fake announcers voice on as she leaned into the spoon. “It looks like our young contestant has won an all-expense paid trip to Chuck-E-Cheese with his favorite auntie and all the pizza he can eat.”
Melo giggled and clapped his hands enthusiastically. “You’re myonlyAuntie, silly!”
“Am I?” she rounded the island, scooping him up and raining kisses across his face while he squealed with laughter. “I better be!”
I chuckled, taking the berries from my son and dumping them in the pancake batter. Angel placed him back on his stool.
“Can I really go, Daddy?” Melo looked up at me with big, hopeful eyes. “Andeat pizza?”
I cringed slightly. I never let my son eat junk food, preferring to cook 99% of our meals from scratch. But I was making an exception this one time. Angel was taking him to the birthday party for her goddaughter, and I couldn’t deny my son the opportunity to pig out on pizza, cake, and ice cream.
“Of course, buddy," I smiled. "All the pizza you can eat. Just gotta brush your teeth extra good tonight. Can you do that?”
Melo nodded his head quickly. “Yep. I’ll brush for four whole minutes.” He held up four small fingers.
I bent my head, dropping a kiss on the top of his head. “That’s my boy,” I held out the spoon to him. “You wanna stir?”
“Yep!” Melo took the spoon and grabbed the bowl just like I taught him. He began to stir the batter slowly and carefully.
I beckoned my sister over towards me, keeping a close eye on my son as we stepped out of his hearing distance. I leaned in.“No more than two slices, Angel," I warned. "One slice of cake and absolutelynopop.”
Angel snorted a laugh. “Yeah, okay,” she replied sarcastically. “You think I’m taking my nephew to his first birthday party and denying him a chance to pig out. Absolutely not,” she rolled her eyes.
I exhaled, “Angel—”
“You gotta relax, big bro,” she cut me off, tapping my shoulder. “This will be your first night alone inforever.Your first nightoutside,in years. Enjoy yourself. I got this. Hopefully, you get some pussy while you're out.”
My mouth dropped in mock horror. “Do you kiss your mama with that potty mouth?”
“I do. Andyouneed to kiss something with yours,” she shot back with a grin.
I shook my head. “Chill. You not that grown.”
She leaned in closer,whisper-taunting, “I am…and guess what?”
I didn't even wanna know but I raised a brow waiting.
“Pussy.Pussy.Pussy,” she chanted laughing at my discomfort. She patted my chest before turning back to my son. “You’re doing so good, baby,” she complimented, walking over.
I watched them, shaking my head but unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. Melo was still stirring the batter with intense focus, tongue poking from the corner of his mouth the same way I still did when I was focused.
I walked back over, leaned down, and adjusted his grip on the spoon. “Slow and steady—don’t slosh it, Chef.”
