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“Lexie makes amazing food for them,” Pepper said. “Which they’ve already had tonight.” Her tone was stern, but the twitch of her lips gave her away.
“Yet all these dogs want whatever we’re having.” Lexie scratched the side of her head, and everybody laughed.
Brutus edged his way over and stretched his face across Beau’s lap, sniffing Copper.
“I’ve got you,” Beau said quietly. She offered him a piece of her chicken.
He nudged it toward Copper.
My lips parted. I’d never seen a dog not inhale table food. But he seemed to want his—was she his girlfriend?—to have it.
Her tongue swiped across Beau’s palm and it disappeared before he could change his mind. He sniffed her hand and smacked as if he were desperate for a taste. Beau tried again, and this time, he couldn’t resist Ma’s chicken.
He put his head in Beau’s lap and she absently stroked his fur. That was another thing this apartment had that mine didn’t. Dogs. And they were good for both of us.
Bites slowed down, groans began, and stomach rubbing commenced.
“We still have dessert,” Ma said.
A collective moan went around the table.
“Can I save mine for a midnight snack?” Teague asked.
“You’re all a bunch of lightweights,” I said with a grin.
“I’d love some dessert.” Beau picked up her empty plate, rounded the table to get Ma’s, and dropped them in the sink.
“Of course you do, sweetheart. Help me get everyone a piece of cake.”
“What kind is it?” I asked, taking my own plate to the sink.
She pinched my cheek. “Your favorite, chocolate.”
When had she had time to bake a cake? She was like the Houdini of food, able to make a feast appear out of thin air.
Ma cut enough slices for everyone, even Teague, who dug in as soon as the dessert was in front of him.
He pointed with his fork. “I swear this is the best cake I’ve ever had. Will you leave some extra?”
“I’ll leave the whole thing,” Ma said. “What am I gonna do? Lug half a cake back to the Bronx?”
I snickered. “I’ll keep an eye on it.”
“More like keep your hands on it.” She tilted her head and cut her gaze to Beau. “Although your hands are probably pretty occupied these days.”
Miss Adeline high-fived her, then pointed a crooked finger at me. “You shouldn’t have kept your mom away from us for so long.”
I held up both hands. “I could hardly be in the presence of that one without getting lasered in half.”
“Can we not talk about you touching my sister?” Teague complained grumpily.
Pepper swiped a glob of chocolate icing off his plate. “She had to endure hearing about us.”
“She probably actually heard them,” Miss Adeline said, motioning toward Lincoln and Lexie.
“Heard them doing what?” Eric asked innocently.
“Talking,” Beau said quickly.
