Page 95 of Knot Convenient

“Hey! I am not a stray,” Tobias said indignantly.

After taking Milo to the local playgroup at the library for story time, I had swung by the pharmacy and decided to walk home with Tobias.

He had been more than happy for the company.

“Let’s be honest, Tobias. Yeah, you kind of are. But you are the best stray I ever picked up,” Hattie said, coming out of the kitchen and pulling Tobias into a hug.

He looked down at her with a begrudging smile. “You are the only person in the world who is allowed to refer to me as a stray.”

“It’s my right as your mother,” she said, laughing as she pinched his cheek.

Even though Tobias wasn’t biologically her child, it was clear as day from watching them that they had a strong bond.

“Hattie! You didn’t tell me you were coming over?”

“I didn’t know until an hour ago. My son called and asked if I would take care of this little darling grandbaby of mine for the evening!” She held out her hands, taking the wiggling baby out of my arms.

Milo already recognized Hattie and snuggled into her happily.

“Why does Milo need a babysitter?” I asked, confused.

Marshall appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. “Because we’re going on a date tonight. We’ve been so busy settling in, we haven’t done anything just us grown-ups.”

A date?

When was the last time I’d gone on a proper date? My heart pitter-pattered at the thought, stomach doing happy tumbles.

Certainly not since having Milo.

“Is that okay?” Marshall asked, the narrowing of his brows giving away his nerves.

“More than okay!” I beamed, leaping up to kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll get ready!”

“Wear something nice!” Noah called up after me.

I took note, shouting back, “Okay!”

I rushed up the stairs and went straight to my little-used collection of dresses.

The mid-length dress looked nice. It was a deep purple and made of ruched velvet. The straps were off the shoulder, and the sweetheart neckline showed just enough cleavage to be enticing but appropriate. I made sure my legs and arms were freshly shaved before settling on the dress, then leaned over the sink to do my makeup.

It’d been a while since I’d had the excuse, and I took so much joy in going all out.

When it was finished, I felt damn good, and I hurried downstairs to meet the guys.

“You look amazing,” Noah hummed, leaning down and kissing my cheek as I stepped off the stairs.

“Lipstick?” Emmett frowned, eyes on my mouth.

I cocked my head. “Don’t you like it?”

“Oh no, don’t get me wrong, I like it. It just means I can’t really kiss you until we’re home because we will totally make a mess…”

His crestfallen expression was so endearing, I was almost tempted to remove the makeup.

“Don’t listen to him,” Marshall growled, playfully shoving Emmett. “You look stunning.”

“Of course she looks stunning! That’s a given!” Noah called out.