my favorite PJs,” I announce proudly, doing a little turn. “Unsolved Mysteries…”
“Why would anybody have PJs for that show?” Ollie groans falling back. “It’s boring.”
When I turn back, a smile curls Spencer’s lips. “They’re… not entirely unexpected.”
“Are you two slob-shaming me?” I put a hand on my hip not caring one bit that I’m comfortable and completely covered in flannel. “I feel slob-shamed. I’m taking this bowl to the kitchen.”
I leave the room with my nose in the air, and I hear Ollie behind me muttering. “Women. So much drama.”
The beleaguered tone in his little voice almost makes me cackle. Instead I rinse the bowl in the oversized stainless-steel sink and place it in the dishwasher. On my way back, I slow down when I hear them talking.
“You seem to handle them pretty well.” Spencer is being kind, and I smile. “The way you treat your mother shows the kind of man you are.”
Ollie studies Chartreuse walking on his fingers. “You’re nice to my mom and Aunt Sly. That means you’re good, right?”
My nose wrinkles, and I wish I could see Spencer’s expression. I can’t, and I don’t want to interrupt them. I’m stuck in the hallway, chewing my thumb as I listen.
“Are you worried about being good?” Spencer’s question is easy, like he and Ollie are old friends.
“Sometimes.” Ollie’s voice is quiet. “Mom says I’m good.”
“You seem like a good guy to me. I think you worry about your mom.”
“She works really hard to take care of us. My dad doesn’t help her.”
“What do you think about that?”
Ollie tilts his little head to the side and looks straight at Spencer. “I think it sucks. My friends have good dads, and I don’t. I think it means I shouldn’t have kids.”
To his credit, Spencer doesn’t answer right away. It’s quiet for the passage of several heartbeats, and I imagine him thinking about what our little friend said.
“I understand why you say that.” Spencer’s voice is grave, and my heart hurts.
“You do?”
“I do.” He clears his throat, and I hear him shift in the leather chair. His voice grows calm, and I recognize now it’s a defense mechanism. “I think we all have the potential to be good or bad, even your dad. From what I’ve seen of you with your mother, I think it’s far more likely you’ll be a good dad.”
Ollie moves around, sitting back on the couch where I can see him better, and when he lifts his chin to the television, the tension has left his brow. My eyes warm, and I want to rush in and kiss Spencer’s face.
I might even beg for it.
Instead, I clear my throat to announce my return. “Who’s up for some Unsolved Mysteries?”
“No!” Ollie groans, turning to face me. “We’re watching Our Planet. They’re doing a show about tree frogs.”
“You know everything about tree frogs.” I take my place as far from him and his creepy pet as possible. “Let’s watch something not gross.”
“You know everything about Unsolved Mysteries.”
“That’s not even possible for anybody.” I shake my head at him. “If it were, they’d have to change the name of the show.”
Ollie exhales heavily like he’s so disgusted. “Tree frogs don’t hurt anybody.”
“Unless you eat them!”
Courtney sticks her head out of her room. “Hey, Olls? Did you finish your homework? I told Mr. Peterson you’d keep up with your assignments.”
“I finished them, Mom!” He calls, studying his frog stepping from his fingers with careful, shaky moves.
I don’t know if she’s growing on me, but Chartreuse is fascinating to watch.
“Okay, ten-minute warning. It’s bedtime.” Courtney lifts her chin. “Hey, thanks again for today, guys. I’m turning in. Early day tomorrow.”
“Night, Court,” I call, standing beside the sofa. “I guess we should turn in as well. I don’t know about you two, but I’m beat.”
I glance over to where Spencer seems lost in thought. He’s so handsome, I wonder what would happen if I bent my rules, especially in view of how amazing he was just now with Oliver.
I’m about to say something along those lines when he stands. A lock of dark hair has fallen over his eye, and he pushes it back, his heavy stainless watch gleaming in the dim light.
“I’ll let you all get ready for bed. Today was a fun diversion. I hadn’t been to the zoo in years.” He pauses as he passes me, lifting the collar of my pajama top and giving me a ghost of a smile. “I’m glad you feel comfortable here.”
I want to catch