Page 209 of Knot What I Expected

Her head snaps toward me. I grin.

“Can’t let you get that far away.”

Her lips twitch despite herself. Matteo looks between us.

“Can I have a hamburger?”

Saved by the pup.

“Yeah, Champ. Go tell Uncle Sparky you want one.”

Justin’s head whips around.

“Do not call me that.”

Matteo lights up.

“Uncle Sparky!”

Wreck fucking loses it.

I do too. Justin points the spatula at me.

“I hate you.”

“You love me, Uncle Sparky.”

“I genuinely do not.”

“UNCLE SPARKY!” Matteo races toward him.

Justin looks like he might walk directly into the forest and never return.

Instead, when Matteo reaches the grill, the big bastard immediately puts one hand out to stop him from getting too close to the heat.

“Stay there, little man.”

“Can I help?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re six.”

“I’m almost seven.”

“That changes nothing.”

“I help Mommy cook.”

Justin glances toward Gabby.

“Does he?”

“All the time.”

Traitor.