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Laurie was poking at the banana on her plate instead of eating. She set her fork on her plate with a nod.
Seth didn’t look up from the glossy pages. “I got it. You cooked. I can clean up.”
I nodded. “Okay. I need to go upstairs and get dressed.”
“What?” He stood, closing the book. “Why? I thought we were going to hang out today.”
“I didn’t agree to that. I have to work. As it is, I’ll probably catch he—um, heck—for being late.”
He glanced down at his watch. “You don’t usually go in until ten.”
I swallowed. I couldn’t be around him right now. Too many memories were bumping into my pathetic reality. “I need a shower and to go home and get dressed.”
He sighed. “Are you sure you can’t call in?”
“Some of us don’t have that kind of luxury.”
Seth blew out a breath. “Dammit, you know I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Dollar to the swear jar!” Laurie chirped happily.
I wiped my fingers on my napkin and pressed a kiss on top of Laurie’s head. “You tell him, kiddo. Thanks for helping me cook this morning.”
She grinned up at me with chocolate smeared all over her face. “Thankie, Ally.”
“Daddy will wash your face.” I gave him a pointed look and escaped.
Not that I got too much of a head start. Five minutes later, he was bounding upstairs with The Care Bears blaring from the living room.
I’d slipped into my dress from the night before. Hello, walk of shame.
“Do you really have to go?”
“I do.” I didn’t want to turn and look at him. He was too good at making me forget just what this was between us. I had to remind myself that we weren’t a happy little family.
No matter how much I wanted it to be so.
He crossed to me. “Can you come back tonight?”
“I’m tired, Seth.”
He tugged me into his arms and linked his arms at my lower back. “We have babymaking to accomplish.”
One more reminder. Thanks, buddy. I pushed out of his arms. “Can we take tonight off?”
“Is everything okay?” He slid his fingers into my hair and turned me toward him.
“Fine. I’m just tired. Someone didn’t let me sleep last night.” Please don’t see my fake smile. Just let me get out of here.
“I’d really like to not let you sleep again tonight.” He tipped up my head and pressed a kiss on my lips.
I closed my eyes and let him kiss me. I almost let myself slide back into him. Back into the status quo we found without skipping a beat.
I cupped his face and ended the kiss. “Tomorrow, okay?”
He sighed and pressed his forehead to mine. “All right. I have a ton of meetings tomorrow anyway. I guess I should get ready for them. The birthday party kind of took over.”
“See? Perfect.” I swallowed down the lump in my throat and stepped back. “I’ll text you later.”
