Page 20 of All Stars Fall
I beamed. “Yeah, I figured you’d be starving and the kids slept late, probably because we played so hard, which also means that’s my cue to leave. I had a long day in the play room upstairs. It won by the way.”
He burst out laughing. “Yeah, it often does. It’s the Legos.”
“Totally.” I smiled back at him as we fell into silence. “All right then.” I took a step backwards. “The laundry’s folded, dinner’s ready, and—”
“Stay.” He took a step toward me.
What was happening?
“Um, no, really it’s fine. I don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s the least I can do.” His sexy smile was back. Ugh, pair that with the fact that he had three of the most adorable kids, not to mention that he used to be a poster on my wall. Torture. You grow up looking at boy bands and celebrities and dreaming about meeting them backstage and marrying them later and then you laugh with your friends.
And then the next day, you’re folding their underwear and making a pot roast.
Huh.
“Please stay!” Bella came stumbling into the kitchen, the black T-shirt still clutched in her right hand, her monkey in the other.
Trevor’s smile fell. “Hey, baby girl, you have a good nap?”
She nodded and then lifted the shirt to his face. “It doesn’t smell like her anymore.”
“I’ll take care of it.” He kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you run off and get your brothers while we get dinner ready?”
“Yay! She’s staying!” She did a little twirl and then whispered in a loud voice. “I like Penny.”
He frowned. “Penny?”
“Penelope was a mouthful,” I added with a smile of my own.
“Gotcha.” He winked at me, making my heart flutter and my stomach drop to my knees. The guy needed to be careful who he winked at. I knew I was blushing. I told my body to stop betraying me, but my face just got hotter. Perfect.
I quickly turned around and made myself busy grabbing plates.
Just focus on setting the table.
Not the image of his abs burned into your brain.
Or his wink.
Or the way he wore a shirt.
Lord, have mercy on us mere mortals.
Amen.
CHAPTER SIX
Trevor
The last time we all satdown as a family for dinner was when my wife was still around.
Though she always hated staying in.
I couldn’t even remember how many times she called a sitter without asking me so that we could go to the latest party or premiere. I was sick of it but hated the fight that followed if I wanted to stay home.
“Why don’t you cook like this?” Eric asked, shoving another piece of pot roast smothered in ketchup into his mouth and chewing like he hadn’t had real food in months. Little shit. “Is this what home-cooked meals taste like?”
