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“Nana, see,” he said, proudly holding up his creation of three blocks stacked together

She bent down to pick hiood job, my smart boy”

I eased off the bed, and followed behind theer as intense If I ot a sharp pain, but for the o hoh the living rooe, open-concept kitchen

“How you feeling, babygirl?” Dad pulled out ave my shoulders a squeeze and kissed the top of my head

Lasagna The meal Mom reserved for “special occasions” Three adults, yet four plates were on the table I stared at her back as she buckled Shawn into his high chair

“Better I’ we’ll head home tomorrow”

“Nonsense,” he retorted “You two should stay a while longer”

“Us or Shawn?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously

He laughed, and picked up his glass of sweet tea

“Mouest?”

No sooner than the question was asked did the doorbell ring She smiled then went to answer When I heard Mal’s voice, I knew exactly what she’d done

“Always ”

Dad chuckled in response “You know your mother”

Mal walked in laughing at soreet hi in his chair from excitement What was it about that man that had my entire family on his side? Not that they knew there were sides to be had, but still After he said his hello to Shawn, Mal looked over at , but I didn’t

Instead, I took in the sight of hi pulled back like nor past his broad shoulders The dark blue Guess T-shirt was loose fitting but tight enough to hint at a well-toned physique The light-wash jeans were a relaxed fit, and I couldn’t help but notice how nicely he filled them out from the back side Mal walked over to where I sat, and when he leaned to kiss the top of ne surrounded me It wasn’t an artificial smell No, it was clean, crisp, and undeniably ood?