AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tyler looked over her shoulder. “Was it an exploding kitten?”
Delaney rolled her eyes. “No. And besides, everyone has onedefusecard to start the game.”
“What kind of game gives you a guaranteedget out of jailcard? Or in this case, a stop-you-from-exploding card?” Tyler asked, shaking his head.
“A kids’ game, I guess.”
We played several rounds, teasing and joking around. Delaney seemed fascinated with the idea of having siblings. I wondered why Natalie hadn’t had more kids. Had she wanted them and her asshole ex hadn’t been supportive?
I tried not to let that bother me because I’d always wanted a big family. I loved the way my brothers and I interacted and how we teased but stood up for each other. I wanted the same for my kids. I mentally shook my head. I was getting ahead of myself. I’d decided it wasn’t in the cards for me. Meeting one mom and her adorable daughter wouldn’t change my mind.
Mom paused in the doorway. “It’s time for dinner. You want to set the table?”
Tyler stood, brushing off his pants, and said to us, “No peeking at my cards.”
“I don’t cheat. That’s you.” The old retort fell easily off my lips as I turned my cards over.
Tyler headed into the kitchen without responding.
Natalie stood and said, “Come on, Delaney. We can help.”
I held up my hand to her. “You’re guests. You don’t need to.”
Natalie followed me. “It’s refreshing to see men helping out around the house. It’s nice for Delaney to see how a real family interacts.”
I heard Mom asking Delaney what she wanted to drink.
I paused, a little surprised at her characterization. “You saw how my brothers and I interact, right? That was just a small taste. We fight, we wrestle, we swear. We’re not angels.”
“I didn’t say you were. But you seem to love each other, and you help your parents. That’s a plus in my book.”
My chest warmed from her compliment. “Thank you, but I can’t help but think your ex was an asshole.” I tensed, worried I’d overstepped.
She laughed. “You’re absolutely right. He thought the house was my domain. It was my fault for not pushing back on that assumption. I’ve always believed women should be able to work and have children. That their husbands should be their partners. The mental and physical load shouldn’t rest on just the mother’s shoulders. That’s not how our marriage worked though.”
“I agree.” I’d spent a lot of time imagining how I wanted my family to be, and what she’d described was it. “When I was younger, I wanted the same. A partner. We’d have a big family and divide the household chores.”
“You want a big family?” Natalie asked.
I could hear Tyler laughing at something Delaney was saying. As usual, our house was filled with love and laughter. My heart ached to have that for myself. Natalie was bringing up these old desires, things I thought I’d put behind me. “I did.”
A crease appeared between her brows. “You don’t anymore?”
“It hasn’t happened, and I decided it wasn’t for me.”
Natalie opened and closed her mouth before she finally said, “That’s sad.”
I shrugged. “It is what it is. Don’t feel sorry for me. I have a great life. A successful business. A close family. I’m happy.” But was I?
Finally, Natalie smiled, moved closer, and patted my chest. “There’s someone out there for you. I’m sure of it.”
Warmth flooded the area where her hand touched me. I wanted to cover it with mine. I wanted to lean down and taste her. There was a roaring in my ears, but she didn’t seem to sense the turmoil because she turned on her heel and entered the kitchen.
I took a second to suck in a breath before I went into the fray.
“’Bout time you showed up to help,” Tyler said.
“I like having Natalie and Delaney here. They’re going to smooth your rough edges,” Mom said, patting my shoulder as she set a pitcher of water in the middle of the table.
