Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(76)

“Good morning,” he said.

A smile took up my face. I didn’t even try to fight it. “Morning.”

“How was your evening? Anything memorable happen?”

“Stop it,” I whispered, leaning in close. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Where is your shirt?”

He leaned in even closer, brushing his mouth against my hair. “You’re wearing it.”

“What?” I jerked back and peered down at my front. “Oh my God.” I tugged the material away from my body. No wonder this fits me like a dress. “Why didn’t you say anything?” I demanded, scowling at his stupid, smiling face, which wasn’t stupid at all. It was perfect.

“What’s the problem? It’s not like it says ‘Property of Nathan’ on the back.”

My heart skipped. I felt my entire body tense up. Oh man. I was totally wishing it said that. Is that weird?

Nathan’s smile turned to 100 percent pure mischief. “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to wear that shirt next time.”

“I mean, whatever.” My shoulders lifted in a quick jerk. “Wear what you want.”

He laughed quietly.

“Mom, where’s that rectangle thing?” Oliver asked. I heard pots and pans clanging together.

“The griddle?” I stepped up to the island. “Bottom cabinet, I think. Next to the fridge.”

“Oh, right. Hey, Nate,” Oliver called out as he searched. “When we’re done eating, do you wanna see my room? I got all this cool football stuff I’ve been wanting to show you.”

“Yeah, absolutely.” Nathan walked over, getting beside me. He yawned, lifting his glasses to rub at his eyes.

I stared at his profile. His hair still stuck up a bit. He needed to shave, though he also absolutely did not need to shave. Nathan looked amazing with a little scruff. How was it possible to look this good on barely any sleep? I felt like a zombie right now.

Olivia finished carrying over ingredients and spread everything out on the island. She grabbed a large mixing bowl and the serving spoon we used for batter and neatly set them beside the griddle as Oliver plugged it in.

“Hey, where’s Marley?” Olivia peered up at Nate.

“At her grandparents’ house,” he answered. “She spent the night over there.”

“Aw. Everyone had a sleepover.”

I nearly choked on my own spit.

Nathan pressed against my side, mumbling, “Get ahold of yourself please,” and laughing under his breath.

Seriously. If anyone was going to blow our cover, it was going to be me.

“What’s that on your neck?” Oliver asked, pointing at Nathan.

I sucked in a breath and held it. Oh God, no.

“Vacuum,” Nathan mumbled without missing a beat. He glanced over at me.

I took action and quickly smoothed down my hair in the back. Thank God I hadn’t pulled it up yet this morning. I hadn’t thought about wearing a ponytail when Nathan picked that spot.

“That’s crazy!” Olivia giggled.

“A vacuum did that to you?” Oliver asked, not finding this amusing like his sister in the least. My son looked concerned. He also looked ready to pick this lie apart.

“Yeah. Weird, right? Are we ready to make pancakes?” Nathan must’ve sensed the impending interrogation. He moved quickly around the island, holding out his fist, and seeing that, Oliver forgot all about strange vacuum attacks, smiled big, and bumped it. “Where are we at on the ingredients, Liv?”

“We’re ready,” my daughter said, rubbing her palms together. “What should we do first?”

I pulled out one of the stools and took a seat as Nathan stepped between Oliver and Olivia, giving out instructions. Chin propped on my hand, I watched the three of them.

Olivia dumped the mix into the bowl and cracked one egg while her brother cracked the other. Holding the measuring cup together, the kids added the milk Nathan poured, then took turns stirring while he got the griddle ready.

“Can you make them look like footballs?” Oliver asked.

“Ooh. Or a flower? I want a flower,” Olivia said.

“I think I can knock that out.”

“Really?” I asked, intrigued.

Nathan ladled some of the batter. The griddle sizzled and smoked as he formed the shape.

“I have this girl living with me who refuses to eat traditionally shaped pancakes, even though I know she eats them for everyone else. I’ve seen her do it.” He glanced up. “I’ve had to get creative so she doesn’t starve.”

Olivia giggled, covering her mouth. “He’s talking about Marley,” she whispered.

“Duh, Livvy.” Oliver side-eyed his sister, then stood on his toes to watch Nathan flip the pancake. “Can you show me how you do that, Nate?”

“Yeah, it’s easy. Come here.”

Nathan made another football, this time letting Oliver hold the ladle with him. The next pancake he made was for Olivia, and he picked her up when she requested so she could watch him form the flower petals.

“How’s that?” he asked her.

Olivia held tight to his neck and grinned at his creation. “Really good.”

We moved to the table when all the pancakes were finished. Nathan took the seat beside me so we both sat across from the twins. We talked and ate, getting five minutes into the conversation before Olivia brought up my night with Travis.