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“Good.” Declan’s husky voice was laced with an intensity that made her shiver. “But”—his voice turned light—“Ryan is about to have a baby. He’s obsessed with every useless, over-the-top baby item ever invented.”
Natalie chuckled. She remembered those days. Her ex-husband had been so frustrated with her impulse buying. They’d agreed to stick to a list, but Natalie could never resist the cute onesies and blankets. And Addy’s favorite lamb lovie was one of her impulses.
“Are we going to get to see Ryan’s baby?” Chris asked.
The question made Declan’s jaw clench.Strange.
“We’ll see what your mom says, but probably not until the season starts and Bridget brings him to a game.”
Oh.
Declan’s ex sounded like a handful. The sheer number of times she called Chris a day was bad enough, but then she’d keep Declan on the phone, asking question after question. And by comments Chris made, it sounded like Lauren trash talked Declan in front of him.
Natalie moved closer and gave one crossed arm a gentle squeeze. His large hand covered hers, causing her stomach to flip. Their eyes met, and a spark of heat shot through her body. His expression darkened with desire before he pulled away and left the kitchen with Chris on his heels.
Natalie was left standing alone, wondering what exactly this thing between them was. An hour later, when they began cleaning up the kitchen, Declan’s smile was still flipping her stomach. Between the flour, icing, and sprinkles that now covered the counter and the floor, she expected Declan to grumble. He didn’t, though, and he was patient with Chris when he helped him spread the icing on each cookie and didn’t snap at him when he got more sprinkles elsewhere than he did on the actual baked goods.
Not that her ex-husband wasn’t good with Addy, but he lacked the patience she had with activities like this. And although Greg would want the mess cleaned up, he never wanted to be the one doing it.
She glanced over at Declan as he wiped down the counter. His fitted green Metros T-shirt pulled over his muscular shoulders. It was almost mesmerizing, the way his biceps bunched as he efficiently moved through the task. Not only was Declan a cleaning fairy, but he was hot AF while doing it.
He tipped his head toward her, smirking like he felt her gaze.
“I could make baked chicken and mac and cheese for dinner,” she spit out quickly, her cheeks heating because she knew she’d been caught ogling him.
He chuckled. Although if bacon was a no-go, she couldn’t imagine Declan would eat the cheesy delight. Kids, however, loved her mac and cheese, so Chris would probably devour it.
“That works. Chris loves both. I’ll pass on the pasta, but I can throw salads together for us.”
She smiled. Exactly. He’d eat chicken and salad. Leave the yummy stuff alone. Normally she wouldn’t care, but her mac and cheese was legendary with her family and friends. She vowed to herself that she’d get him to try it.
“I mademac and cheese for dinner,” Natalie told Addy a few hours later.
“Did you save me some?” Her daughter cocked her head to the side, her dirty blond hair brushing her tiny shoulders as her head bobbed in and out of the frame.
“It wouldn’t be good by the time we get home. I’ll make some for you next week, though, at our post-Christmas dinner with Aunt Melissa and Uncle TJ.” Also, it wasgonebecause Declan, Mr.I don’t eat mac and cheese,had seconds. Natalie chuckled just thinking about it. “What did you do today?”
“We played, but it wasn’t fun because Trevor was hogging all the toys. He wasn’t being a fun sharer today.” Her pink lips turned down in a pout.
“Were you?” Natalie asked.
“Yes, me was.” Addy smiled.
“I see Daddy in the background, so I think it’s bath time. Love you, girlie.” Once her daughter had blown her kisses and finally relinquished her hold on the device, Greg took the phone. “She being good for you?”
“For the most part. She struggles more at bedtime, but we’re getting by. I’m not sure how you do it every day.” Her ex-husband narrowed his green eyes. “Is there a guy behind you?”
Natalie glanced over her shoulder. Declan moved out of the way quickly, then, and sat in the chair across from her. “Airbnb mix up.”
Greg tilted his head, his brow furrowed. “You good? Because you know you can call if you need something.”
“I know, but I’m good. It’s a father and his son. And it’s worked out.” She met Declan’s eye, and he pursed his lips before glancing away.
“Making best friends everywhere you go. Like always.” Greg chuckled. “Have a good night, Nat.”
“You too.” She ended the call.
“Is it always like that?” Declan asked.
