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Noah looks over at me and scuffs his chair closer. “You want to come?”
My back straightens, causing Maliki to jerk behind me. “I’ll see if I can.”
“You have to since you’re his girlfriend,” Noah argues.
“I’m not—”
Maliki squeezes my thigh. “Just go with it. You won’t change his mind,” he whispers into my ear with a slight chuckle.
His hand doesn’t move as he changes the subject and asks Noah if he’s excited to start school. Noah says yes. Then, he proceeds to talk about his favorite TV show and toys, and he shows off his iPod. When he takes the last bite of his hot dog, he asks Cohen for a cookie. Cohen says yes, and he darts in his direction.
I reclaim my seat and slide my plate to my side.
“You’re good with kids,” I say, popping a chip in my mouth.
Maliki raises his brow in question. “Did you expect me to be awful with them?”
“No … just some guys aren’t.”
“Kids are cool. My niece and Liz lived with me before she moved in with her husband.”
I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth. “Do you want kids someday?”
“Possibly. It’s complicated, having a family with the lifestyle and career I live. My father proved that.”
“Then, why did you go into that occupation?”
“It’s what I’ve always known, and I wanted to be a business owner.” He shrugs. “But eventually, I’ll entertain the idea. I want to make certain I can give them a stable home.”
“That means, you’ll have to settle down long enough to have a child with someone.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Do you ever see yourself … you know … doing that? You’re not exactly young.”
“Nor am I exactly old.” He laughs. “According to Noah, I have up to ninety-two hundred years before I start turning gray.”
I toss a chip at him. “Shut up.”
We’re interrupted by Georgia calling our names.
“All right, you two lovers, time for me to beat your asses in cornhole. It’s you two against Archer and me.”
“Archer is playing cornhole?” Maliki asks with shock.
She lifts her chin, fighting back a smile. “I’m forcing him.” She snaps her fingers. “Now, chop-chop, before he changes his mind.”
I lean across the table. “I’ve never played cornhole.”
“It’s easy,” Maliki says. “Just follow my lead.”
“Prepare for us to lose.”
* * *
“Your friends are nice,”I say during our ride home.
Spending the day with Maliki wiped out all my family and divorce worries. I didn’t think about Devin or my dad or what the hell my future holds. I’m struggling to mask the happiness from tonight rolling through me. I want to savor these moments with Maliki and never forget them—in case the day comes when they stop.
