Page 132 of For Your Consideration

“Today we got a call from the CBC. They want to do a news segment on the foundation,” I told him as I checked on the noodles. It was our routine when he got home. He claimed he wanted to hear my stories from the day first. Initially it felt like I talked too much but now I knew he just liked hearing my voice. After I finished mixing the pasta and the sauce, we all sat down to eat, Sophie in her highchair and Ash and I on either side of her.

“Would you share your location with me on your phone?” he asked without preamble.

“Will you share yours with me?” I shot back with a raised eyebrow. Instead of answering he pulled out his phone and a moment later I got a notification that he had shared his location with me. I smiled and did the same. “I assume this is because you worry about me and this helps.” I tried to not feel giddy about it but I couldn’t help it, especially when he nodded.

“If I could get Sophie a tracking bracelet I would.” I laughed but when I looked over at him he wasn’t laughing. “I’ve got Jaxson looking into it,” he mumbled.

“I don’t mind. It’s nice to know you care.” I took a bite.

“Will you be around the house tomorrow?”

I looked back up, frowning at the question. “Do you not—” I stopped when he shot me a look. “Sorry. It’s Thursday so I’ll be at the office. Why?” He smiled at my edit. It was a gut reaction but I was getting better at being wanted, and wanting someone in return.

“I’m having an updated security system installed tomorrow so I’m working from here. There will be workers around for a few hours.” I watched him closely, trying to look for tension, but the only thing he was doing was looking over at Sophie every once in a while and softly smiling.

“Any reason for the sudden upgrade?” He had one here but it was pretty basic. He set it when we went to bed or left in the morning.

“No, Jaxson just told me about some new tech and with my two precious girls spending so much time here, I wanted you to be safe.” He reached over and bopped Sophie on the nose. This man. “I wanted to ask if you would leave Sophie here with me tomorrow.” My eyes moved to his to find that they were already watching me.

“But you’re working…”

“I’ve got a light day since the crew will be here and it’s an extensive update. I can watch her no problem as long as you’re comfortable.”

I reached out and grabbed his hand. “You give me heck when I second guess if you want us here so I’ll give you heck when you try and diminish your role in Sophie’s life. I trust you completely with her, I know you love her, and I’m so happy that she has a man like you looking out for her. And I see that love every time she looks at you and brushes her hand on your face. So my hesitancy was because I don’t want you to be distracted with her here. But if you want to keep her tomorrow, you can.”

His intense eyes blazed as he stood up from the table, came around, and pulled me up to kiss him.

“I love you,” he said as he pulled away.

“I love you back.” I rested my head on his forehead. Sophie, not one to be left out, screamed and threw her sauce on the ground.

Me

Guess what?

Will

Oh man, I don’t like this game.

Oli

Can you give me any context? Parameter perhaps.

Quinn

You boys are ridiculous, it was a rhetorical question.

Me

Quinn’s right

Jane is in town!

Noah

She is??

Me