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I shoved past him and kicked my boots free all while holding the casserole. I’d gotten really good at using my snow boots like flip flops. It was easy if you never tied them.
“Cole, I didn’t burn it this time, you’re gonna lo—”
My words fell flat, dying on my tongue as I took in the person lounging at Cole’s table with his leg kicked out, lifting a beer to his lips.
Colson walked up behind me, guiding me forward so I could set the casserole dish down.
“Sorry, I should have texted you…Liam and the girls are going to be here for dinner tonight.”
My eyes narrowed on the long legs that stretched out as if he owned this place. His jeans were messily shoved into a pair of brown boots that were untied. He had on a plain black T-shirt that revealed a full sleeve of tattoos down one arm. He had a few days’ worth of growth covering a firm, wide jaw…and a professional glare. Narrowed eyes of mercury focused on me while he sipped from the neck of his bottle. The anger from earlier fizzled and crystalized in my veins, popping like tiny sparks.
The corner of his lip quirked as he lifted the neck of his glass bottle in a silent hello.
Turning on my heel, I faced Cole. “You know what? I totally forgot that I have a zoom call.”
“Right now? It’s like six at night, who are you talking to?”
My hands were still shoved into the oven mitts as I tried to think up a lie.
“London.”
My brother’s lips quirked. “It’s two in the morning in London.”
I settled my hands at my hips, oven mitts still in place. Liam chuckled behind his drink, and it made me want to scream.
“I’ll just leave this here for you guys. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Makeup lady!” a tiny voice squealed, interrupting my exit.
Mila ran into the kitchen and wrapped her little arms around my waist like she’d known me her entire life.
I settled my hand on her back, hugging her to me as I battled a smile.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Can you come play with us?” She took my wrist and led me out of the kitchen, but Liam stirred behind us.
“Mila, Haley has to leave.”
I turned my head so quick, my hair lifted off my back. “No, I’m fine. You guys eat, we’ll be in the room.”
Liam narrowed his eyes but nodded, giving me his silent permission.
The girls all stopped what they were doing and watched as I closed in on their little group.
“I found makeup lady!” Mila yelled excitedly.
She had dark brown hair that matched her father’s and about a thousand different tangles in each strand. It didn’t look like she’d brushed it in months.
Pushing my knees into the soft carpet, I smiled at Mila and then looked over at the other two. “Haley, remember?”
Mila waved me off, settling back near her toys. “We just like calling you Makeup Lady.”
“You guys are playing Barbies? I used to love playing with these as a kid. Can I play with you?”
Mila moved forward, handing me a big pink RV. It clumsily dropped into my arms, opening one of the side hatches.
“You can be in charge of our camping trip. Maddy is the mom but she’s too busy for us, so it’s just me and my cousin Sally, the tattoo artist, who are going.”
I gently held the RV like it was made of gold and set it to the side.
