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I left his office feeling lighter than I had in a long time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Holt
“I need a four-letter word for a quick look,” my dad said from the table and chairs on my deck.
“I’ve got some four-letter words for you,” I quipped.
“Peep,” my mom suggested.
“Nope.”
“Hmm,” she said, considering. “Peek?”
“Nope.”
“Dad, look what we found!” Spencer cried, running from the yard onto the deck with something in his hand.
Marley was right behind him, her bare feet covered in dirt. Spencer opened his hand to reveal a little green critter whose world had just been upended.
“Hey, it’s a frog,” I said. “Go put him back so he doesn’t die.”
“Take a picture of him, Daddy,” Marley said. “His name is Franco.”
I took out my phone and snapped a photo. “Okay, now go put Franco back.”
“Or you could kiss him and see if he turns into a prince,” my mom suggested.
Marley wrinkled her nose. “Daddy, you kiss him.”
“I’m gonna pass.”
“Dad doesn’t want a prince. He wants a princess,” Spencer said.
“Maybe it’s a girl frog,” Marley suggested.
I pretended to consider it. “Are you thinking like a quick peck or a long kiss with tongue?”
Marley giggled. “Tongue. Do it, Daddy.”
“That’s gross, Dad,” Spencer said. “You should kiss Shea instead.”
I looked at him, my lips parted with surprise. Had he overheard something he shouldn’t have?
“Why would you say that?” I asked.
He gave me an annoyed look. “It’s so obvious you like her. Just kiss her.”
My dad laughed, his eyes still locked onto his crossword puzzle. I looked at my mom, who was clearly amused, a smile playing on her lips.
“Maybe she wants to kiss you, too,” Marley said.
Damn, I hoped so. I’d been so preoccupied with worry that she’d accept the job with Keller and leave town with him before I saw her again.
“But...how would you guys feel about me kissing her?” I asked.
Spencer shrugged. “Fine. She’s really nice.”
