Chapter 31
Thirty-One
Zach
The visit with my brother and his family didn’t last nearly long enough, and by the time dinner was done, all of the kids were overstimulated and tired and beyond ready for bed.
Quick good nights and with too many rounds of ‘See you soon’ promises, we made our exit.
Chloe fell asleep in the truck on the way home, still chattering around a series of yawns about her new best friend, Penny.
Saying good night to Louise at the door of the truck, sleeping Chloe draped over my chest and shoulder, I don’t want the night to end going our separate ways.
“I wish you were coming to sleep in my bed,” I whisper against her mouth, having sent Bailey and Abigail inside to brush their teeth and get ready for bed.
“I wish I was, too,” she whispers back, smiling against my lips. “Goodnight, Zach.”
“Goodnight, Princess.”
“Thank you for an amazing evening. I enjoyed meeting your family.”
“You’re going to be required to make appearances at family dinners going forward,” I warn her.
She nods, and her light, happy laughter does something inside my chest. That dimple is back at the corner of her mouth. The one that I love so much. “Truly a hardship.”
I chuff out a laugh, then adjust Chloe’s dead weight in my arms. “Goodnight, Princess.”
“You already said that,” she teases, backing away toward her porch. “Goodnight, Zach.”
“You already said that,” I echo, backing toward my own porch. She sticks her tongue out at me. “Hey, there’s a fundraiser for the station next weekend. Do you like chili?”
“I love chili,” she calls across the darkened yard, surrounded by the halo of light from her front porch light.
“Wanna go with me?” I call back, taking the steps up to my front door. “I’ll give you a tour.”
“Will you take me for a ride?” she calls over, her tone implying far more than a ride in the firetruck.
“Princess, I’ll let you ride anything you want.”
The smile she sends my way lights up my chest. Goddammit, I’m in trouble.
“It’s a date,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
Maybe she’s in just as much trouble as I am.