Page 63 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“We’re working on it, though,” Lena said.

A shriek of laughter echoed as Aisling and Kenna went tearing past the dining room. Milo dashed after them. Princess brought up the rear, yapping her head off.

“Bet you’re not going to miss that when it comes home with us,” Alistair said, downing his wine.

Weston laughed. “If she’d been here another day, I’d have soundproofed Princess her own room downstairs.”

“Now there’s an idea,” Alistair said.

“You two,” I grumbled. “Honestly. She’s just a big personality in a little body.”

“Her barks break the sound barrier,” Weston said.

Lena snorted into her glass.

“It’s so you don’t forget about her.”

“Trust me. No one is forgetting that Princess exists,” Alistair said.

“Anything else happen in London?” Lena asked. She settled me with a look that had my skin prickling. I didn’t know if she was asking what I thought she was asking, and hell if I was about to start talking about the things Alistair and I had gotten up to in the hotel’s fancy bathtub.

“Kenna and I made Alistair ride the London Eye about two dozen times,” I said.

“Talk about motion sickness,” he muttered.

I narrowed my eyes playfully. “You said you had fun.”

“I did. So much fun. The round and round over the Thames is riveting,” he teased.

“Good view of Big Ben,” Weston said.

“He had a blast,” I said. “He just doesn’t want to admit it because it’s apparently too touristy.”

“Isla dragged Locke to Borough Market for chocolate-covered strawberries during one of their first trips to London together,” Lena said. “So if we want to talk about giving in to tourist traps, they might have one up on you.”

“Ooh,” I said, eyes lighting up. “I’ve seen those strawberries online. Kenna would love that.”

“Maybe next time.” Alistair reached out, squeezing my thigh beneath the table, and we exchanged a grin. I knew he’d enjoyed himself while we were away. But most of all, he’d seemed to enjoy how happy it made Kenna and me.

No one had ever done things like that for me before.

No one had ever treated me the way Alistair did.

No one had ever wanted to.

Alistair leaned in, hovering close enough I thought he might kiss my cheek. Instead, he whispered in my ear. “I really don’t think I was rewarded enough for my sacrifice.”

“Is that so?” I whispered back. “Well, I’ll be interested to hear your later demands.”

“Oh, you will,” he said, the words a low growl as he pulled back.

“More cake?” Lena asked. Judging by the teasing look on her face, I could have sworn she’d just heard every word. She could probably get the gist of it from the dopey look on my face.

“What’re you up to this week?” Weston asked. “I was thinking we should get together with Locke and Isla. The baby will be here soon, and then their free time is going to disappear.”

“I don’t have much on outside of work,” Alistair said. “And Madison has a glassblowing lesson tomorrow, so she’ll be tied up too—maybe even on an ongoing basis if the lesson goes well.”

“Oh!” Lena said, impressed.