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“Th-there’s no problem,” Sarah stutters, blinking rapidly. “I just wanted to make sure there was enough room for the kids, that’s all.”
I squeak in surprise when Dylans pulls me toward him, turning me around so my back is against his chest, his hand possessively on my hip.
“There, now your daughter has plenty of room.” He gives Sarah a terse smile.
“Dylan,” I whisper. “You’re making a scene.”
“I’m only doing what Sarah asked.”
Several moms are gaping in our direction, and Quinn is watching from the other side of the room, mouthing the words so hot as she fans herself.
Thankfully, the kids are too busy making their suncatchers to notice.
“Marlow, look at my pretty heart,” Lola states proudly, holding it out for me to see.
I step away from Dylan and bend down to get a closer look. The uneven, heart-shaped cutout with jagged edges is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
“You did such a good job,” I coo.
She puffs out her chest with pride and returns to cutting out another paper heart.
“Thanks for that,” Dylan whispers.
“I meant every word,” I assure him. “She is an exceptional little girl who deserves the chance to shine. Who’s to say that a crooked heart today won’t be a world-famous art installation in a few years?”
He studies me closely like I’m a painting he’s trying to decipher.
“Daddy, can you help me with the glue? It’s all sticky?” Lola holds up her little hands, which are now covered in Mod Podge.
“Oh shi—shoot,” Dylan mutters.
He rushes to her side and yanks out some wet wipes from a nearby dispenser. Once Lola’s hands are clean, he picks up one of the foam brushes and dips it into the Mod Podge, lightly dabbing glue onto one of the paper hearts. He demonstrates how to place the tissue paper on the glued surface, beaming at Lola when she grabs a handful of pink tissue paper and follows his instructions.
“He’s quite remarkable, isn’t he?” Quinn remarks, coming to stand next to me.
“Yeah, he really is.” I keep my gaze fixed on Dylan.
“No matter how complicated things are between you two, there’s nothing wrong with letting yourself fall for him if that’s what you want,” she says.
The problem is, I think I’m already halfway there.
20
DYLAN
“DADDY, SPAGHETTI IS MY NEW favorite food. Oh, except for Cheez-Its. IloveCheez-Its,” Lola exclaims.
She takes a giant bite of a meatball, a splash of sauce getting on the napkin I insisted she tuck into her shirt to avoid getting any on her outfit.
“What about the broccoli?” I frown, gesturing to the three florets on her plate. “You love broccoli.”
Lola’s never been a picky eater, unless you count her food having to be cut into the shape of a unicorn or rainbow whenever possible. As a toddler, she was a huge fan of sweet potatoes, kale, and any other vegetable I put on her plate. If she’s growing an aversion to healthy foods, I’m not above sneaking them into her meals.
“I like broccoli,” Lola says with her mouth full, “but I love Cheez-Its and spaghetti.”
I glance over at Marlow, who’s twirling a forkful of spaghetti on her plate, pretending she’s not listening to our conversation. I lean over and put my arm around her chair.
“Hear that, sunshine?” I whisper. “Lola’s new favorite food is Cheez-Its. Any idea why that might be?”
