the couches,” I said.
William nodded and peered into the kitchen where Matt was assembling the kitchen table. “Princess, you can handle the chairs, right? I need Matt’s assistance.”
Of course Aurora was in there as well.
Joining William in the doorway, I spotted our daughter wiping down the new cupboards. What a convenient task for her while Matt was in the same room, coincidentally shirtless. He’d shed his tee around the same time Brady had.
“All right, table’s done.” Matt got off the floor and placed a level on the surface to see if it was straight. “Hot damn, I’m awesome at this.”
William smiled stiffly. “Yes, you’re fantastic, son. Let’s go.”
Ohh, now I got it. The ex-husband was painfully aware of Aurora’s gawking, and he was still waiting for her to get over her “puppy crush.”
I patted his arm and stifled my grin.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “She’ll get over it,” he muttered under his breath.
“Of course.” I humored him. Then I left the doorway and hollered up the stairs. “Mason, are we expecting more of your things from Arizona? I couldn’t find any kitchen stuff among the boxes in the garage earlier.”
“Uh, no. I think everything’s arrived.” He came closer and started descending the stairs, while wiping his forehead with the bottom of his T-shirt. He had such a lovely body. “The kitchen wasn’t really my area. Meghan took all that.”
“Ah. So…we should go shopping soon, yes?” I grinned impishly.
He chuckled and reached the last step. “There are websites where you can order fully stocked—” He stopped right there, and he must’ve seen my unamused expression. “That was the wrong response. Of course we’re going shopping.” Much better. He took the last step and peered over me, maybe making sure we were out of sight, and then he kissed the smile off my face. “You wanna go tonight or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s fine. We could go early.” I squeezed his hand briefly, just wanting to touch him. “I wanna do that, you know. Everyday stuff, you next to me.”
His gaze shifted from amused to something gentler, and he shook his head at me. “Only you can make me actually look forward to going shopping. Have lunch with me too, and I’ll be even happier.”
I could hear William and Matt coming in with the first couch, so I nodded quickly and put some distance between us.
Around noon, I found myself in the kitchen with Aurora, and we were looking out the window as Mason helped Katie out of their car.
Brady should be back soon too. I’d sent him to the store to pick up a vacuum and some cleaning supplies.
“She’s gorgeous,” Aurora murmured.
She was. Her mother was Vietnamese, if I wasn’t mistaken, and Katie had definitely taken after her. Tristan ran around the car to be there every step of the way. He was overprotective, I’d learned from Mason. Katie grinned wryly at something Tristan said, and Mason laughed.
Tristan was a younger version of Mason, albeit lankier like William.
I hoped they liked me. Tristan meant the world to Mason, and if he and I were going to try for something serious, I’d never forgive myself for causing problems. On the other hand, my competition had set the bar very low. Tristan didn’t speak to his biological mother anymore, and he’d never been particularly fond of Meghan. According to Mason, who hadn’t exactly disagreed, Tristan found Meghan shallow and somewhat of a drama queen.
Then I winced, remembering how shallow I had been recently.
Fuck, that had to stop. I hated that trait so much.
“Aww, look at that cute bump.” Aurora beamed. “And she’s already seven months along?”
“The baby has some growing left. Remember not to touch unless Katie says yes, and please give her space first.”
She nodded in understanding.
I guess I should go out and say hi. If nothing else, they needed assistance with their luggage.
“Come on. We should help them.” I took the lead and stepped outside as Mason came up the path with two bags.
He smiled and glanced back at the expectant couple. “Tristan, you remember your aunt. Katie, this is Lissa. Lis, Katie.”
“Of course.” Tristan smirked, looking an awful lot like his father there. “You come to me if my old man’s harassing you, Aunt Lis.”
I laughed and hugged him. “It’s good to see you again, hon. Let’s not wait four years till next time.”
“Deal.”
I turned my smile to Katie next, and I shook her hand in both of mine. “Hi, Katie. I’m a hugger, but I remember how much I valued my