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“See that one?” Aspen points excitedly. “The orange one!”
“They’re all orange, Penny.”
“The one with the pink sparkles.” She gives me a look that suggests I’m an idiot. “That one’s ours.”
“Looks like a winner to me,” Blair says, grinning at Aspen before glancing over at me.
An older woman tending the display smiles at us. “You three are adorable. You have a beautiful family.”
“She’s not my mommy,” Aspen explains, her brow furrowing. “That’s Miss Morgan.”
The woman’s smile falters. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed—”
“It’s okay,” Blair assures her. “I’m honored to be included in the family outing.”
She bumps Aspen gently with her hip, and Pen beams like it’s the best thing she’s heard all day.
The woman moves on, but her words stay with me.
A beautiful family.
I know it was an innocent mistake. Blair is standing beside Aspen, holding her hand, and I’m close enough that the woman filled in the blanks.
But for a second, I saw it too.
That’s the fucking problem.
* * *
After Aspen’s sparkly pumpkin fails to place in the decorating competition—an outcome she insists is the result of corrupt judging—we decide we’ve had enough of the festival.
“Are you coming to our house for dinner, Miss Morgan?” Aspen asks as we make our way toward the truck.
Blair glances at me, clearly unsure how to respond. “Oh, I don’t want to intrude on your family time.”
She should probably go home.
This has been a nice enough date that wasn’t a date. Inviting her into my home feels like crossing another line I’ve spent three years drawing.
“You’re more than welcome to join us,” I hear myself say.
Well, there goes that plan.
Blair’s smile appears, and I immediately stop regretting it.
“Okay. Dinner sounds nice. Thank you.”
“Daddy, we need cake!” Aspen exclaims.
Before I can answer, Blair shakes her head. “That’s okay, little sunflower. I’m still full from the candy apple.”
Aspen’s face drops, but a display of carved pumpkins distracts her before she can argue.
“Hold up,” I say when we reach the edge of the festival. “I need to tell Knox something. I saw him near the games earlier. I’ll be right back.”
Lie.
Apparently, I’m now sneaking around fall festivals in search of birthday cupcakes.
