Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“What? Has she done anything wrong at all?”
“No, but—”
“Give her a chance.” I put my hand on his shoulder and keep him in the hall as Teddy regales Evie with all the reasons why Slytherin is the best house. “I know I’ve made so many fucking mistakes, but she’s not one of them. Can you please trust me on this?”
“Has she returned the iPad?” he asks sharply.
“No, but she will once she feels safe.”
“She doesn’t feel safe with you?”
“No, she doesn’t feel safe with you. She’s worried that if she turns it over, you might go after her… Not that I’d let you hurt her.”
He considers me for a while, then asks, “When you aren’t with her, are you thinking about her?”
“Yes.”
“Is she the first thing you think about when you wake up and the last thing before you fall asleep? Can you handle her quirks, however odd they may be? Do you want to hurt her? To make her cry? To put her back together? To lift her up? To please her even when what she needs might hurt you? Can you give her what she needs in bed, and can she give you what you need? And, most of all, can you two be together even though you killed Red?”
“What are you, a couples therapist?”
“I’m serious, Lucius. I’ve been married for long enough to know that these are the things that matter.”
“Yes to all of those questions and more. I don’t know how to convince you of what I feel in here.” I tap my sore chest. “But it’s real.”
He wrinkles his nose at the thought of me having a heart, then glances into the dining room. “Look, I know you’re a foolhardy dumbass who makes split-second decisions without enough information. But this is so far out of your usual MO that I’m somewhat curious to see how it ends. Then again, Stella and I are together despite all of our … history. So maybe this makes more sense than it should.”
That’s as close to ‘I’ll give her a chance’ as I’m going to get out of Sin.
“That smells amazing.” Evie leans over as Stella places the roast on the table. “Can I help you with anything in the kitchen? I’m happy to—”
“When are they going to be potty trained?” Teddy hustles in with Renee tucked under one arm and Rebecca under the other. “They just crop dusted me, then finished the job with a sprinkling of poop napalm. I almost vomited, and this is after my rotation in the ER.” He pauses when he spots Evie, then recovers quickly and hands Renee to Stella.
“They don’t smell that bad.” Stella takes Renee and kisses her nose before sliding her into her highchair. “They’re just well-seasoned.”
“You’re fooling yourself. It’s toxic waste.” Teddy puts Rebecca in her matching high chair, then turns to Evie. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight, but I’m happy to see you and everyone getting along so well.” He gives her his Teddy smile, so genuine that I want to backhand him sometimes.
“Thank you. I know it’s weird—”
“Understatement,” Stella mutters as she heads back to the kitchen with Sin at her heels.
“But I’m just glad to be included,” Evie finishes.
“Stella’s a great cook. You’re going to love this.” He sits across from her and little Teddy as I pour drinks for everyone. I sneak a shot of bourbon, but then I catch Evie watching me out of the corner of her eye.
Without missing a beat, she says, “I know how to cook, but really only for one. I wouldn’t know where to start with making a meal this big.”
“I’m going to learn to cook,” little Teddy announces while staring up at Evie with what can only be described as heart eyes. “Whatever your favorite food is, I’m going to cook it.”
Big Teddy and I exchange an amused look.
“Easy there, tiger.” Teddy serves up a plate for him as I start cutting the twins’ food into tiny pieces. “I think Uncle Lucius already staked his claim.”
“Doesn’t mean anything.” Undeterred, my nephew keeps staring in adoration. “What’s your favorite food? I bet Uncle Lucius doesn’t even know.”
“Well, hmm.”
“I know what she really seems to enjoy. Tube steak.” I waggle my brows at her.
Teddy almost chokes on his ice water.
“Tube steak? I can make that. Easy.” Little Teddy gives me a challenging stare.
“No, but thank you for that, Lucius.” Evie shakes her head and somehow keeps a straight face. “It’s homemade macaroni and cheese, especially if it has bacon in it.”
“Mommy can teach me, and the next time you come over, I’ll make some for you.” He forks a piece of pork tenderloin and plops it into his mouth with pure satisfaction.
What am I going to do with this kid?
I scoop some mashed potatoes out for Renee and Rebecca who babble at me. Renee immediately grabs the potatoes with her meaty paw and smears some on my shoulder.