Chapter 30
Three Months Later
Trevor
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Well, as I live and breathe. It’s my wayward son. Trevor Laurence, I was starting to think I’d have to send your brother down there to look for you.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m in the middle of my rough string of shifts, working twenty-four hours every other day. It’s nice when I get the week off afterward, but I pay for it every three weeks.”
“Are you getting enough rest?”
“Yes. I still should’ve called. I’m sorry.” This really isn’t like me. I’ve admittedly let my new happiness distract me. But at least this happiness is healthy. Not the fake kind I fell into with Ashley.
“Well, I’ll forgive you this time. I was secretly hoping you were so wrapped up in your new girl that you hadn’t thought about anything or anyone else.”
Do I tell her she’s not far from the truth? Knowing my mother, she might start looking for a wedding venue.
It’s only been three months since Addison and I made this official, but things between us are better than I could’ve imagined. We haven’t officially moved in together, but it’s rare we’re apart. She tends to sleep at her place if I’m on shift because it makes it easier to keep her early morning routine at her bake shop. But thankfully, she’d hired some extra help who can get the mornings started without her once in a while. It often has to be scheduled well in advance, given these blue- haired women have early morning quilting bees and the like. But there’s nothing better than coming home after a long shift to find my sassy sleeping beauty nestled in my sheets.
“That’s actually why I’m calling. I wanted to see if we could come for a visit.” I immediately pull the phone away from my ear in anticipation of what’s to come.
“Gahhhhh! Trevor, you’ve just made me happier than a tornado in a trailer park. Is this serious? When are you coming? How long can you stay? Does she─”
“Mom, Mom! Slow down. You’re going to break your tongue. Take a breath.” I can’t help but chuckle at her excitement. It wasn’t all that long ago I was pouring my heart out… okay, pouring my drunken heart out to her and Noah after I thought I’d lost Addison. “Things aren’t that serious yet. But she’s the one.”
Suddenly there’s a commotion on the other end of the phone before squeals and choruses of Hallelujah cross the phone line. I can’t get another word in. She sounds like she’s speaking in tongues.
“Mom!”
“Oh, Trevor, you’ve made your old mom so happy.”
I laugh. “You think? We can only stay a few days. Addison doesn’t have a lot of help at the bakery. I don’t want her to get stressed about being away from her business for too long. She’s worked really hard on it. But I want you to meet her. And I miss you.”
“I know you’ll want to see some of your old buddies while you’re here, but I hope you’ll reserve one dinner for me. I’m going to make all of your favorites. And Noah and Becca and the kids will be so excited to meet her.”
Lord, is it too late to take this back? If she still wants me after this weekend, then she really is the one.
* * *
“Boys, stop jumping on Grandma’s furniture!” Noah barks.
Good Lord. Remind me why I thought this was a good idea.
“Oh, leave them be,” my mother cajoles. “They’re not hurting anyone.”
A loveseat cushion is lying on the floor, and my nephews take turns catapulting into the air and landing on it as if they’re at a trampoline park. At times it’s challenging to carry on a conversation over their guffaws, but we’re used to this. However, Addy must think my family is akin to a Ringling Brothers circus.
My mother sits on the couch beside us, Addison in the center. I wrap my arm protectively around her as if that’ll prevent my family’s chaos from seeping in. Mom’s been in her element since we arrived. She’s been cooking up a storm in preparation for our visit. Add to that being surrounded by her entire family and finally meeting Addy, and I can’t remember seeing her so joyful. “Addison, tell me about your family,” she asks, tenderly touching Addy’s forearm.
I can feel my girl instantly tense at the question, and I know my poor mother just inadvertently walked into a landmine. My inclination is to change the subject, but this is Addison’s story to tell.
“My mom and dad are professors. Dad primarily does research now. They’re at Duke. And my brother recently got engaged.” Addison rattles off their accomplishments, her affect flat, keeping her description of them decidedly neutral. “He’s an engineer. But he’ll probably follow in my parent’s footsteps. I think he’s already accepted a part-time teaching position. They’re all quite academic.” She tucks an invisible hair behind her ear nervously. “I guess I missed out on that gene.”
My mother’s expression falls at Addison’s self-deprecating remark. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the concern she’s trying to mask. She knows there’s more here than Addy’s willing to divulge. No one wants to meet the parents and dump a sob story on them. My girl is too proud. I hate that her own flesh and blood have done this to her. My shoulders tense as my ire at the situation simmers.
“Don’t let her fool you, Mom. She’s wicked smart. And you should see how cool her shop is.” Picturing her colorful décor, artfully designed cakes and cupcakes, and whimsical quotes posted about the place has me sitting a little taller.
“Oh, I’d love to see it one day. What’s it called?”
A blush dusts Addison’s cheeks, and I snort. My mother and Noah’s wife, Becca, are watching us expectantly as Addy smacks my chest.
“It’s called Sassy Cakes,” Addy shares. “I make all sorts of confections. Some ornate and proper, and some are a little more playful.”
My mom and Becca look at each other, unsure if Add’s answer matches the blush she’s wearing. And I can’t help but snicker again. “Addison speaks her mind and isn’t afraid to be sassy. It’s what I love about her.” Even if she nearly drove me crazy when we first met. “And her cake-decorating skills are unbelievable. But it’s not a fussy shop. Think Alice in Wonderland. She can do anything from a prim and proper all-white multi-tier wedding cake to penis pops for a bachelorette party.”
Addy again pops me, this time on the arm.
“Ouch, slugger.”All eyes immediately dart over to where my rambunctious nephews have been playing, oblivious to our conversation.
“Oh, I love that!” Becca squeals. “Do you have a portfolio?”
“You planning to order some penis pops?” Noah taunts. “I would’ve thought you had enough testosterone floating around our house.
“You can say that again! Addy, please take me back with you. You can put me to work.”
“Trust me. No one is going to buy anything she bakes,” Noah mocks.
“Rude!” Becca sneers. “But true. I can wash dishes and clean.”
“Oh, Becca, you’re welcome anytime. You don’t have to work.” Addy giggles.
“Don’t tell her that. Do you honestly think I can handle those two on my own?” Everyone looks back at the boys. They’re now hanging upside down from the couch, their heads on the floor, trying to kick the other over. The smaller of the two lands a kick on his brother’s junk, and he collapses onto the cushion, moaning as he holds his little family jewels protectively. “Don’t expect grandchildren if you leave me with them, Becca.”
“I’m okay pretending Trevor’s grandkids are ours.” Becca drops her chin in her hands and looks at me and Addison with a dreamy expression. “You guys are going to make such beautiful kids.”
“Whoah there, Nelly.” I interrupt as Addison shakes with laughter beside me.
“Yeah, Becca. Let me plan a wedding before we jump straight to the baby shower!” Mom interjects.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I receive another slap to my chest for my slip of the tongue.
“She’s as bad as Mom,” Noah snorts. “Glad I’m sitting over here.”
* * *
The following morning, we enjoyed a breakfast spread fit for a king. Mom must’ve thought we wouldn’t be back ’til Christmas and so pulled out all of the stops. I haven’t eaten that much food since last Thanksgiving, and it caught up with me. After taking Addison on a tour of my old stomping grounds, I needed to return to the house for a nap. There was no blaming my exhausted state on lack of sleep. Addison stayed in the guest room while I was in my old twin bed. As tempting as it was to cop a feel in my room, I knew it’d be too hard to turn my engine off once Addy got my motor revving. And as much as I wanted her, covering her mouth as I fucked her in my twin bed just wasn’t very appealing.
I wonder how Addison managed to avoid needing a nap? Hopefully, my mother hasn’t bored her to death with monotonous stories from my childhood. Stepping out of the shower, I make quick work of toweling dry so I can check on my girl.
Walking into the kitchen, I predictably find my mother pouring over a photo album with Addison at her side, both nursing steaming cups of joe. I make my way to the coffee pot and fill a mug; the rich scent of the caribou blend my mother always prefers wafts upward, enveloping my senses. I’m hoping the caffeine will carry me through the night at The Zone with my friends. I haven’t been to a real nightclub in ages. But that’s where Mick and Ava wanted to meet.
“Please tell me you haven’t spent my entire nap boring Addy with my life story. And how aren’t you tired after that big breakfast?”
“First, I didn’t eat as much as you. Second, I never get to sleep in. And third, what’s the opposite of boring? “ She giggles. “I’ve laughed and laughed with your mom.”
Uh oh.
“Did you really have dinner on Halloween at a stranger’s house?” Addison cackles.
Oh, no. Childhood memories are embarrassing enough when it’s just you and your immediate family. You assume they’ll give you a pass. You’re related. And it’s expected they’ll do something equally as ridiculous that you’ll promise to take to your grave. Thanks, Mom.
“I blame the dog.” Mom laughs. “That child was forever chasing after animals. If we went to the park, I had to watch him like a hawk, or he’d run off after a squirrel, and I’d lose him.”
“Oh, my god.” Addison wails.
It’s not that funny.
“I thought that was my friend’s house. He said to meet there after I got done trick-or-treating, and we’d count our candy together. But I went to the wrong house.” I scratch the back of my head, replaying the events of that evening. “Then their dog brought me a ball to play with, and I lost track of time.”
“Oh, Mylanta. I was so worried. It was the first time I let him trick-or-treat on his own, and he was supposed to stay with his group of friends.”
“They were wimps and wanted to go home. There was so much more candy out there!” I bellow. What kid willingly calls it a night when there are more houses to hit? Duh?
“The Swanson’s finally called and told me he was there, and I find him eating a corn dog and playing fetch with their dog.” Mom bends over in a fit of laughter. “He seemed highly offended I wanted him to come home.”
“Awe,” Addy says, placing her palm on Mom’s forearm to comfort her.
“I think the farting incident during the school play was just karma for scaring me half to death that night.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
Addy is now laughing so hard she’s crying.
“Sassy, can you go get ready so I can spend the rest of my evening trying to get you drunk enough to forget today ever happened?”
She pops up from her chair, wiping tears from her eyes, and comes to stand in front of me. Standing on her tiptoes, she gives me a chaste kiss. “I’ll never forget this day, brownie licker.”
Ugh! Apparently, my mother shared the incident where she dressed me up in a little suit to take me with her to a bridal shower, and I proceeded to pick up every brownie on the tray in the dining room and lick the top of each before returning them to the platter. Yes. I was that kid.
* * *
Addison comes down the narrow steps of my childhood home dressed in a short, figure-flattering black dress and four-inch heels, and I let out a whistle. Her dark, silky hair is tumbling down around her, and the only jewelry she’s wearing are those stunning gemstone bright blue eyes. “You look incredible!”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks sport a rosy glow, and I’m instantly reminded how damn lucky I am.
“You ready?”
She gives me a curt nod, and I wish Mom goodnight before we head out.
“You two, be careful.”
We make the drive to downtown Richmond and surprisingly find parking easily. The line isn’t terribly long to get into the club, but I admit I was in a hurry to get out of the house and the humiliating walk down memory lane. Most of my friends won’t be here for at least another hour.
“Wow, this place is great!” Addy shouts over the music. The Zone is a loud, multistory club in an industrial warehouse setting. The first floor houses several bars, shot stands, a stage, and a large dance floor. There are some tables on one side and seating on the other. There is VIP seating located on the first and second floors, as well as room along the railing for patrons to have a bird’s eye view of the dance floor from above. It’s not really my scene. I’d much prefer the local sports bar, The Sports Page. But I knew this would appeal to Addy, and according to my friend, Mick, his wife Ava enjoys the chance to dance here too.
Addy points to a set of open bar stools at the larger of the two bars, and I’m about to take a seat when my phone vibrates in my back pocket. It’s Mick. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Trevor. … making sure… tonight.”
“Hey, Mick. Hold on. You’re breaking up, or it’s too loud to hear in this place. Let me go up front.” Placing a kiss on Addison’s temple, I ask her to order us both something while I move somewhere a little quieter.
“You still there?”
“Yeah. You already at the club?”
“Ha. I needed to get Addison away from my mother before she broke out bridal magazines.”
A very clear chuckle comes over the receiver. “Completely understand. We’ll be there soon. Hadn’t heard from you since yesterday and just wanted to make sure we were still on. There’s no way I’d be going to this place if you weren’t there.”
“I get it. Stinks that I’ll miss seeing Zach this trip. But I figured I’d have a better chance hitting the lottery than getting him to come here.”
“Only reason for a single guy to come to this place is if they’re looking to get laid. My gut tells me he frequents other watering holes for that. But Alex and his girlfriend are coming. He’s a good kid. Zach’s been trying to keep him on the straight and narrow since he joined their station. Kinda like I recall him doing for someone else I know.”
“I remember well. Alex is a lucky guy. I’m glad to hear he’s a nice guy. I’d hate to think I left, and they replaced me with an asshat.”
Mick laughs again. “It’s always a possibility. But I think that title might be reserved for his girlfriend.”
“Oh, shit. Really?”
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Let you make up your own mind. Don’t say anything to Addy. I’d get a scolding from Ava if she found out I was talking smack about her before the girls met her.”
“Okay, mum’s the word. But I can’t say it’ll be easy keeping an open mind now. You’re usually not quick to judge.”
“I think it’s personal. She reminds me of my ex. Don’t let that poison your opinion. I’m going to run. We’ll see you soon.”
“See ya, Mick.”
Tucking my phone into my pocket, I make my way over to the bar and stop in my tracks. Addison is perched on her stool with two men by her side. She has her back to me, but it appears they’re doing most of the talking. Suddenly they give her a brief wave and walk away, a look of dejection on the taller man’s face. As I slowly resume walking, I really take her in. She rotates back toward the bar and I let my gaze drift down her long, toned legs, the elegant curve of her back, and her succulent lips that sip from her martini glass. Addison’s the whole package.
And she’s mine.
As if she can sense me watching her from the corner of her eye, she turns in my direction as I come nearer. The sight of her still steals my breath. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so hasty to get here. If Mom broke out her wedding album and they started planning, popping the question would just be a formality—because there’s no doubt this girl is it for me.
“Hi. Is this seat taken?” A smirk lifts the corner of my mouth, hoping she’ll decide to play along.
“No. It’s all yours,” she replies with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“I don’t come to clubs often. I’m from a one-horse town where you’re lucky to find a bar or two.”
“Oh, really. That actually sounds quite nice.”
I sit up a little taller in my seat. “It is. It’s beautiful there.”
“Did you grow up there?”
I reach for the lager Addison ordered for me. “No, moved there for work. I was worried I’d be bored, but I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It has everything I could want.” I give her a playful wink.
“So, what do you do?”
“I’m a firefighter.” Expecting her to fawn all over me, I stifle a chuckle when she simply lifts her glass to her mouth with her eyes trained on the bartender, acting completely unimpressed. “Pity Sycamore Mountain is so far away. I’d love to show you sometime.”
“Well, you don’t waste any time, mister.” She giggles.
“A girl like you doesn’t come along every day. You have to strike while the iron’s hot.”
“I like that. I’m used to the men I’m attracted to playing hard to get. I mean, I shouldn’t have to chase someone.”
Ouch . Guess I opened the door for that. “You’re absolutely right. What a blockhead that guy must’ve been.”
The smile that crosses her face is delicious.
I scoot a little closer to her stool and lean into her, placing my hand on the small of her back. “I know we just met, but I have a good feeling about you and me.”
I can practically feel her rolling her eyes at me. “You do, huh?”
“Yes. I want to show you I’m not like the halfwits you’ve dealt with before. I’ll happily do the chasing.”
“And what do you plan to do with me once you’ve caught me?”
Addison takes a sip from her cocktail, a rosy blush staining her cheeks. Oh, she knows quite well the dirty things I’d like to do to her.
Leaning in, I place my lips next to her ear. “Can I be bold?” Her hair shifts beside my lips with her curt nod. “I want you to climb on top of me and ride my face until you come all over my tongue.”
An unmistakable moan escapes her soft lips, and I drop my hand down so my finger is resting between the globes of her glorious ass. She drags her tongue across her lower lip and asks, “What could I do for you in return?”
“Oh, I’m not a tit-for-tat kinda guy. But if you wanted to do something for me…”
Her eyes meet mine, delight swirling in her bright blue orbs.
“You could wear my fire turnout jacket while I eat you.”
She swallows hard as if surprised by this little confession. “You’d like that, huh?”
“Trevor!”
I jump at the unexpected intrusion and turn in my seat to see Mick and Ava. Jumping from my barstool, I come in for a bro-hug and offer a kiss on Ava’s cheek before reaching for Addy.
“Holy shit. It’s great to see you guys. This is Addison.”
Ava instantly moves to stand beside her and gushes over finally meeting her, Addy’s dress, and whatever else girls talk about when they’re feeling out if the other woman is going to be friend or foe. “I’ve heard so much about you and the bake shop. We’re going to have to make another trip to Sycamore Mountain to come see.”
“Oh, you’ve already been to Sycamore, and I missed it?”
Ava gives me a wary look, and it hits me that she and Mick were visiting the weekend I saw the picture of Addy in the paper and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I definitely don’t want to bring this evening down.
“It was before we got back together.” I barely complete the sentence before pulling her into me. The thought of that awful time does weird stuff to my insides. I’m not letting either one of us go back there.
“Hey, Mick.”
“Alex. Glad you could make it. These are my friends, Trevor and Addison. Trevor was at your station before he moved to Sycamore. Trevor, this is Alex and his girlfriend, Ainsley.”
Reaching to shake Alex’s hand, I note a slight tightening of his jaw at the reference to the word girlfriend. I could be off base here, but you can usually tell if there’s a real love connection by the look on a guy’s face. I should know. I can’t even think about Addy without a shit-eating grin appearing on my face. Hell, I’ve got it bad. “I remember you, Alex. It was brief, but I think we met out one night with the guys.”
“Yeah, you’re right. The Sports Page, right?”
“Let me get you guys a beer. What’ll you have, Ainsley?”
The wafer-thin blonde twirls the ends of her hair around her fingers and taps her bright pink manicured nail against her lip. It seems pretty dramatic for “what’ll you have,” but I’m probably being judgmental based on my earlier conversation with Mick. “I’ll have a Cosmo.”
“Coming right up. What about you, Ava?”
“Could I just have a water? I don’t really drink much.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, I love this song!” Addy squeals before grabbing Ava’s arm and thrusting her nearly empty glass in my face. “Come on, girls. Don’t let me down.”
As the three girls move to the dance floor, I head to the bar with Mick and Alex in tow. “That worked out well.” Mick chuckles. “They’ll probably be out there for a bit.”
“Yeah. Glad your girls can keep Addy occupied so I don’t have to go out there.”
“You know you’ll never make it the whole night without getting dragged out there for one song.”
“One, I can handle.” After flagging down a bartender and placing our drink orders, Alex spots an open booth by the dance floor and heads over to save it for us. For a moment, I think he’s going to join the girls on the dance floor until I notice he’s more gentleman than I am and stops beside them to gather Ava and Ainsley’s purses to take to the table. It hits me that Addison doesn’t have a purse, and I quickly scan where she was seated at the bar.
“Sir,” the bartender says as he slides the drinks onto the bar.
“Thanks. You didn’t happen to find a purse or wallet or anything up here earlier, did you?”
“No, sir. Do you want me to check with the manager?”
“Not yet. I’ll come back if we still can’t find it.”
“Everything okay?” Mick asks.
“Yeah, it’s probably nothing.” We head in Alex’s direction and deposit the drinks on the table. As I turn toward the dance floor, I spot the girls approaching the table before I can go to her.
“That was quick,” Mick jokes.
“We figured we’d move closer to where you guys were sitting and decided to stop for a drink before heading back out,” Ava answers.
I take a seat, Addy snuggling in beside me, and I motion to the fresh cocktail in front of me. “Hey, where’s your purse? I didn’t see Alex get it earlier, and you certainly can’t hide a wallet in that dress.”
“I didn’t bring one.” Instant relief washes over me until a thought comes to mind.
“Then how’d you order the drinks earlier?”
She pats me on the arm, a slight smirk curling her lip. “Oh. Trev, unless I’m in Sycamore, where everyone knows me, I don’t pay for drinks.”
The guys from earlier come to mind. “They even paid for mine?”
“Ha. No, silly.” She takes a sip of her spicy margarita and puckers. “That was a different guy.”
“Man. I can’t leave you alone for a minute.”
“You okay?” I hear Mick whisper to Ava across from me.
Ava reaches over and cups his cheek. “Yeah, babe. I’m fine.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Ainsley screeches. “Look over there!” She directs her pointy fingernail toward a table in the VIP section before clapping her hands like a fangirl at a Taylor Swift concert.
“Who is it?” Ava asks, craning her neck to get a better look.
“It’s Martin North, the Washington football player, and his fiancé, Ashley. Gah. She’s so beautiful. I’ve had pictures from her modeling gigs in Richmond taped to my vision board for years.”
It’s official. I can’t stand this chick.
Addison places her hand on my arm while I see a concerned expression cross Ava’s face. I’m sure Mick has filled her in on all of the dirty details. All of a sudden, a chuckle breaks through the silence, and I look up at Mick, who’s grinning at me.
“And to think you were preaching how you were dating down from then on.” He practically snorts as he looks at Addison. The comment has me laughing right along with him. “Looks like you went the opposite direction.”
I wrap my arm around my girl and really take in her stunning face. The memory of her pouring over photo albums and giggling with my mother hits me, and my heart squeezes. Everything about Addison Briggs is pure class. She’s smart, beautiful, funny… and, without a doubt, the best thing that’s ever happened to me. “I love you, cupcake.”
Addy cups my cheeks and gives me a sweet kiss. “I love you too.”
“I need tissues,” Ava blurts, dabbing at her eyes.
Alex looks at the two of us and smiles as Ainsley says, “You think they’ll let me take a selfie with them?”
Needing a diversion, I nudge Addy. “Hey, babe. Want to dance?”
“Oh, yes.” She claps. If that’s all it takes to put that look on her face, I guess I need to take her dancing more often.
“Oh, Mick, please?” Ava begs.
“Okay. But I better get some action for this later.”
“Don’t you worry.” She laughs as the two of them come up beside us.
I turn to look for Alex and Ainsley and realize Alex is sitting in the booth by himself. I can’t help myself and let my gaze wander to Ashley’s table. I can’t decipher much as Ashley is standing with her back to us. So I focus on letting my hot date grind all over me to “Lil Bit” by Nelly & Florida Georgia Line.
As the song merges into an older techno number, I grab Addy’s hand to make our way back to the table. “Jesus, sassy. You got my dick all worked up back there. I’m going to the men’s room to splash some water on my face and get another beer. You want anything?”
“Could you bring Ava and me another water?”
“Sure.” I pull her in for a kiss before heading to the men’s room. As I pass by the line of females waiting their turn, I dart into the bathroom to take care of business and wash my hands. Looking into the dingy mirror above the sink, I take stock of the guy looking back at me. A year ago, seeing Ashley and Martin would’ve ruined my night. Hell, it would’ve ruined my month. Still angry and dejected, I never imagined life could be this good. If I’d stayed with her, I would’ve been miserable. Instead, I found the love of my life.
I head to the bar to collect a couple of beers and a few glasses of water before heading back to my table but slow my roll when I see Ashley standing next to Addison. Steam starts to build in my ears until I remember they once modeled together. Cautiously I walk up behind Ashley and can’t help but overhear their conversation.
“So, how long have you and Trev been an item?”
“About three or four months.” Addison’s tone sounds clipped, but I don’t want to come any closer and give Ashley the satisfaction of knowing I’m here. Hell, if my arms weren’t full of drinks, I’d probably head back to the bar.
“I’m surprised, Addison. You don’t strike me as someone who’d have to settle for my leftovers.”
I take a step forward, my mouth open and ready to respond when Addy beats me to the punch.
“Oh, I didn’t get anyone’s leftovers, honey. He saved all the prime meat for me. If anyone should worry about getting sloppy seconds, it’s you.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Martin’s divorce has been official for months,” she snaps.
“I wasn’t talking about his divorce,” Addy adds with a menacing grin. What’s she talking about?
About that time, I see Alex trying to suppress a grin, Mick chuckling, and Ava covering her mouth as they look past me. Peering over my shoulder, I notice a cocktail server bent over Martin’s table. His hand is clearly visible, perched on her ass under the back of her skirt.
Ashley must catch on as she storms past me in his direction, completely oblivious that I’m standing there. If that isn’t a metaphor for how our relationship would’ve been had I still been dating her, I don’t know what is.
Sliding the drinks onto the table, I take a seat next to my girl and bring her in for a kiss. “You’re so naughty.” Kiss. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being you.”