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“Don't worry about it. I have to wrangle a hot dog and cut out some cookies still. Then I'll get out of your way.”
“You're not in our way here, Evangeline,” Silas says, his voice quiet. He turns on his heel and stalks out of the room.
Coming from him, that might as well be a love letter written in the sky from one of those rent-a-message airplanes. I'm sure he's feeling generous because I just agreed to a favor, but I don't care. I'll take it.
“Alright, Hunter, time to cut our cookies out!”
Footfalls pound throughout the house, and a few moments later, a sweaty, red-faced Hunter skids to a stop across the island from me.
“Cookie time?”
“That's right, time to cut out our hearts.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, my gaze cuts to Hunter, my eyes wide. His expression mirrors mine, and as if we planned it, we both lean forward and burst into laughter.
I recover quickly, handing out heart-shaped cookie cutters to Hunter and Nova. The three of us are quiet as we strategize the best places to press out cookie cutters.
“Hey, Eve?” Hunter calls.
I look at him with raised brows. “What's up, my little muffin?”
His lips curve into a wide grin with the nickname, just like I'd hoped they would. He leans forward, hands clasped in front of him at the island, like he's telling me a secret.
“You're not a banana pie.”
I slant my head toward him and lower my voice like we're conspiring together. “I'm not?”
“Nope,” he says, shaking his head. “You're a heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie.”
Affection blooms like a bouquet of wildflowers inside my chest, vibrant and full of life. My shoulders sink and my expression softens as I look at the little boy across from me, feeling grateful for his childhood perspective.
“Thanks, muffin,” I whisper.
“That's silly, Eve. I'm not a muffin,” he says with a giggle, his eyes crinkling up at the corners.
“Not even a chocolate chip one?” I ask, tilting my head and squinting at him.
His expression flattens with surprise. “There are chocolate chip muffins?”
“Sure are. Wanna make some together?”
“Dad!” he yells, sliding off the stool and running out of the kitchen. “There are chocolate chipmuffins!” His voice carries all the way back to the kitchen, but Silas's tone is too deep and muffled. I can't make out his response.
Nova's hand slides across my lower back as he leans down next to me. “Ready, sweetheart?”
I straighten up and give him my best mock-glare. “Depends. Are you ready to make it up to me?”
He inclines his face to mine, dragging his teeth across his bottom lip. “All night if you let me.”
I push him away with a gentle shove at his chest, laughter bubbling up despite myself. “You're a terrible flirt. Did anyone ever tell you that?”
“Nah, baby, never.”
26
NOVA
The sun is setting,painting the sky in thick swaths of pink and orange. I can't believe how hot and humid it is at this time of day. I don't know why I'm surprised, it's the same every year. But somehow, I'm always surprised by just how thick it gets in the summertime.
“Where are we going?”
