just the way you are. Now drink your coffee before it gets cold.”
I took the pancake from my mouth, refusing to let him know how delicious it actually tasted, and lifted the coffee to my lips, taking one small sip. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy? And who’s this cheerful in the morning?”
The corner of Romeo’s mouth tilted up in a smug smile. “Seems to me like you could use a bit of bossiness. Besides, I have to stop at my house and grab some clothes.” He offered a matter-of-fact shrug. “His school’s on the way.”
“How do you know where his school is exactly?”
“Oh, I camp outside of it in my van then offer free candy during recess.” He winked.
“Very funny,” I groaned.
“Oh, can you, Uncle Romeo? My friends would think I was so cool if you had a candy van!”
I jabbed my finger at Naz. “Never repeat to anyone that your uncle has a van with candy and parks at the school.”
Romeo choked out a laugh, “Ever.”
“Aw, man.” Naz pouted. “You’re ruining boy day.”
“Yeah, Eden, you’re ruining boy day,” Romeo agreed.
I was going to strangle him to death. “Make sure he gets all the way into the school before speeding off and don’t—” I stopped talking and looked him up and down; even in ruffled clothing, he looked like walking talking sex. A wet dream you never want to wake up from. A nightmare you’d welcome any day of the week. “Just be careful at drop off, especially of Maria; she’ll get one good look at you and cyberstalk you until you’re too terrified to say no.”
“Ah, soccer moms, such easy hunting, it wouldn’t even be fair, Eden, you know that…all those repressed housewives in their expensive SUV’s, cobwebs between their—”
I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Stop speaking.”
He grinned against my palm.
I jerked it away, irritated that my skin was tingling where his lips touched.
Ignoring how close he was, I turned toward Naz. “Two more bites, then grab your backpack.”
After a huge yawn and two giant bites shoved into his mouth, Naz hopped off the barstool, grabbed his Lego backpack, then walked up to Romeo and took hold of his hand. “Uncle Romeo, can I bring you in for show and tell today?”
“Probably not the best idea, little man.” He ruffled his hair.
“But, you can show your gun!”
My eyes went wide. “There’s a no weapon policy at your school, Naz, and remember, we don’t tell our friends or teachers what Mommy and Daddy—” I stopped myself as loss swept through me. “—what your family does.”
“Oh.” Naz frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. “But it’s so cool. I mean, Uncle Romeo cleans money!”
I nearly spit out my coffee while Romeo’s grin stretched across his face. “That’s because money’s dirty, and I like things to be clean.”
I glared at him, then smiled back at Naz. “Remember not to believe everything Uncle Romeo says, all right honey?”
“Oh okay, so you’re not beautiful? Because I think you are, and Uncle Romeo said you were, but maybe he wasn’t the truth?”
“Telling the truth.” I corrected. “And um—”
“She is.” Romeo stepped in. “Stunning, and since you’re the man of the house, it’s your job to tell her that, all right, Naz?”
He nodded his head. “Don’t worry, Uncle Romeo; I’ll tell her, and you’ll tell her, and then Daddy will be happy in Heaven.”
I seriously doubted that, but I said nothing as Naz made his way over to the door. “Bye. Mom loves you. We don’t want to be late!”
“Where’s my kiss?” I crossed my arms.
“Oops!” He ran back over to me, hugged my legs, and when I bent over to his level, pressed a soft kiss to my mouth. “Loves you.”
“Loves you too.” I patted his soft cheek. He smiled up at me but didn’t go back to the door.
“Naz?”
“Mom,” he said in a loud whisper. “You have to say goodbye to Uncle Romeo too.”
No, I really didn’t.
I forced a smile. “Bye, Romeo.”
“Mommmmmm, he needs a goodbye kiss too. You always say that you have to kiss before you leave the house, just in case you don’t gets to kiss again. Remember?”
Yup, strangling Romeo later. He laughed with Naz and then nodded his head at me like it was true.
Son of a bitch.
“Right,” I agreed, clenching my teeth.
I turned to Romeo and stood up on my tiptoes, bringing my mouth to the side of his cheek only to have him turn at the last minute as my lips collided with the corner of his