Finally (Neighbor from Hell #12) - R.L. Mathewson Page 0,40

as he opened the door for her.

“And you’re paying?” she asked with a calculating look that had him biting back a smile.

“Do I have to?” he asked, making sure to sound put-out.

“Yes, you do,” she said with a sniffle and a nod as she climbed inside.

“Then tell me where we’re going,” Devin said, climbing in after her.

“Dixon’s,” Charlie said with a satisfied sigh as she buckled in.

“Dixon’s it is,” he said, starting the truck and-

“Can I ask you something?” she found herself asking as he pulled out of the driveway and headed towards Dixon’s Bakery.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Do you ever?” Charlie asked with a pitying look that had him chuckling.

“What do you want to know, brat?” Devin asked, shooting her a questioning look.

“Many things,” she said, nodding solemnly.

“Anything in particular?” he asked, turning off the truck while she sat there, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth as she debated whether or not she should ask this and…

Maybe it was a bad idea, she thought as she said, “Forget it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” Charlie said, nodding even though she wasn’t really sure of anything right now.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re looking at me funny?” he asked, throwing her another curious look.

“Not a chance in hell.”

Chapter 19

“You know the rules,” his baby girl said, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared up at him, daring him to try to get past her.

“Are you going to let me in?” Devin asked, gesturing to the closed kitchen door that she was guarding.

“Will you finally give into my needs for fluffiness?” Abbi countered, cocking her head to the side as she considered him.

“Maybe…” he said, letting his words trail off.

“Maybe?” she repeated, narrowing her eyes on him.

“Well, it depends,” Devin said as he knelt down so that he could look his beautiful baby girl in the eye as they handled today’s negotiations.

“On what, Daddy?” Abbi asked, frowning adorably as Devin reached over and gave her braid a gentle tug.

“On whether or not you tell me what’s for dinner,” he said as the scent of fresh-baked bread teased him.

“It’s not lima bean casserole,” she said with a rebellious smile that had him once again narrowing his eyes on the little traitor.

“My lima bean casserole was delicious,” he bit out.

“It really wasn’t, Daddy,” Abbi said with a sad shake of her head.

“You’re a traitor, did you know that?” Devin asked her as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Yes,” she said, nodding with absolutely no shame.

“You’re lucky I love you,” he said, chuckling as he stood up, taking the little traitor with him.

“I know that too, Daddy,” Abbi said, nodding solemnly as he pushed the kitchen door open and damn near groaned at the sight that met him.

Goddamn, she was killing him, Devin thought as he watched Charlie bend over to pull something out of the oven and-

“He’s not supposed to be in here,” Dustin said as Charlie handed him a roll.

“I came to help,” Devin said, giving Abbi one last kiss before putting her down.

“It’s my turn to help,” Dustin said, taking a bite of his roll.

“And you’re doing a wonderful job,” Charlie said with a warm smile as she grabbed the platter of rolls off the counter.

Knowing that she wouldn’t let him help, mostly because the kids wanted to make sure that he didn’t try to make broccoli for them again, Devin pulled his phone out of his pocket and sat down at the table, moving the books that Charlie had been working on with Dustin out of the way before checking to make sure that there weren’t any problems with the orders that had been sent out today.

“Thank you,” he said a moment later when a plate filled with spaghetti and meatballs was placed in front of him.

“You’re welcome,” Charlie said as Dustin placed a bowl of salad by his plate before he headed back to the kitchen counter to get the rest of the bowls while Devin watched Charlie and…

He didn’t know how much more of this he could take.

Over the past two months, she’d become part of their family, someone that they could count on, who made the kids smile and was slowly destroying his will to live for one simple reason...

She’d fucking friend-zoned him.

It really just made his life extra fucking special, Devin thought, biting back a sigh as he watched the woman who had no fucking clue what she did to him when she touched him, hugged him, dropped down on his lap, and