Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(29)

She nodded slowly. “Wif spinkles.”

Oliver and Olivia sat across from each other at the end of a vacant table. I put Marley on her feet, figuring she’d want to sit beside Nathan since he had her ice cream, and took a seat on Oliver’s side. Then I slid down when Marley squeezed herself in between us.

“O’ver, you got spinkles too?” Marley asked.

Oliver sighed and scooted to the very edge of the bench, putting some space between them. “Yes. I have sprinkles.”

Marley jumped down, eliminated that space he’d just created, then climbed on the bench again. She sat backward, swinging her legs in the air, and watched him lick his cone like it was the most interesting thing she’d ever witnessed.

“O’ver, I have some?”

“Mom.” He groaned.

“Marley, come over here if you want your ice cream.” Nathan sat down across from me so he was straddling the bench and facing Olivia. He handed over my cup, then spooned a bite of chocolate soft serve, holding it over the table. “Do you want this?”

Marley jumped down and ran around the table. She let Nathan feed her a bite, chewed it up, and started the retreat back over to Oliver, but changed her mind halfway and went back for more. Nathan took bites for himself in between hers. I thought it was cute how they shared.

And how he’d let her dress herself today.

And painting her nails…that wasn’t only cute. It was really, really sweet.

We were all mainly quiet while we ate, most of the noise coming from Marley when she’d ask for another bite and Olivia when she’d comment on how adorable Marley’s little voice was. I got up and grabbed a stack of napkins when my kids were finished, and then I cleaned Marley off before she took off running after Oliver. Olivia led the way. The three of them chased one another in the grass, jumping over wishing flowers.

“I went through the rest of the boxes today. That’s where I got the polish,” Nathan told me when it was just us seated. He waited until I looked over at him before continuing. “I’m keeping a lot of it. I just…I feel like Marley should have a say in what stays. She might want all of it. I don’t know.”

I nodded. “I think it’s better to keep it than regret getting rid of stuff if she asks for it later on. You might not be able to get it back.”

“That’s what I was thinking. I moved everything to the basement for now.” He dropped his spoon into the empty cup, wiped at his mouth, then adjusted the hat, pulling it off and resituating it backward.

“You look so different today,” I said.

He stared at me. “Different how?”

“Like snuggly.” My eyes widened as amusement flared in his. “I mean, cuddly. Comfy. Comfy…not any other word I just said. I meant comfy.” I cleared my throat, turned away, and watched Marley chase Oliver in a circle. Nathan laughed.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, shaking my head at myself. I slowly looked over at him again, hiding half of my face behind my hand. I peered at him between my fingers. “Leave me alone.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called snuggly before.” He slowly grinned. “Or cuddly.”

“I meant comfy.” I let my hand fall to the wood. “You know, casual. You always wear business clothes. Give me a break. The hat is really throwing me right now.”

“What’s wrong with my hat?”

“There’s nothing wrong with your hat.” That’s the problem.

“Then why is it throwing you?”

“I’m just not used to seeing you in one. You look like you’re in a frat or something.”

“Well, I was in a frat. Is that a bad thing?”

Goddamn it. I did not need that visual. I was struggling enough as it was. “A bad thing? No. Nononono. God, no…”

When laughter burst out of Nathan’s mouth, I pinched my lips shut and trapped any further response I was about to give. Dear God, bury me right here. I needed to get a handle on myself. I needed to quit picturing Nathan at college.

“So, is that a no, then, Jenna?” he teased.

My phone beeped from my wristlet. Thank you, distraction. Way to be hella late though.

Before offering up unnecessary confirmation, I capitalized on this interruption, tugging my purse in front of me and pulling out my cell. It was another text from CupidMatch guy.

Shit. I’d forgotten to write him back earlier.

Whats up? You free this weekend?



My thumbs moved swiftly over the screen. I wanted to be done with this.

Sorry. I’m not really interested anymore. Take care.



I sent my response, then lifted my head and risked a glance at Nathan.

He was looking out at the kids now, mouth twitching as their adorable laughter filled the air. I wanted to sit here and watch him observe them for hours. The way he studied them like being given the opportunity to do so meant something…I knew how sweet our kids looked playing together. I wanted him familiar with it too, and I wanted to witness the moment this became a memory for him.

“They get along really well,” he said.

I nodded, set my phone on the wood, and peered over at the three of them. “They do. I love watching them together.”

“Marley asked about them today.”

“Aw, really?” We locked eyes, and Nathan nodded. “Mine were wondering what she was doing right before you and I spoke on the phone. Oliver knew it was her nap time. It was really sweet.”