Page 25 of The Pitcher’s Proposal

I laugh, and Lauren starts giggling. “He keeps changing the story.”

“No, I don’t!” Joey insists, but he’s laughing now too, and that sets Lauren off harder. Joey looks at her and immediately loses whatever argument he was about to make, collapsing against my chest in a fit of giggles. Lauren doubles over beside me, which only makes Joey laugh harder, and pretty soon neither one of them seems to remember what was funny in the first place.

I catch Joey when he starts sliding off my lap and haul him back up, kissing the side of his head. “You two are ridiculous.”

That only gets them going again. I leave Joey sprawled across Lauren, both of them still laughing, and head toward the kitchen to find Dakota.

Miles comes around the corner carrying a bowl before I get there. I put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from walking straight into me, then look down at what he’s collected. He’s got crackers, chocolate pieces, and pretzels.

“Quite a spread.”

“I’m hungry.”

“So I’ve heard.”

He starts past me, then pauses. “Can we watch that pitching video again after the game?”

“The old one?”

“Yeah. The one where you strike out the last guy.”

I know exactly which game he means. He’s watched the final inning enough times to know the broadcast call almost word for word.

“Sure.”

His smile appears again, and he starts toward the living room.

Dakota is at the kitchen counter putting away the snack boxes Miles left open. I lean against the doorway and watch her for a second.

She catches me watching her. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“You have a look.”

“I’ve always got a look when you’re around.”

She smiles and turns back to the cabinet. I walk up behind her, slide my arms around her waist, and kiss the side of her neck.

“Your oldest son is eating chocolate before dinner.”

“Dinner isn’t for hours,” she counters.

I turn her in my arms and kiss her. There isn’t any rush to it. After more than a decade together, I know exactly how Dakota likes to be kissed, and I take enough time that she forgets about the open cabinet behind her.

When I finally lift my head, she smiles up at me. “What was that for?”

“Because I wanted to. And because you’re beautiful. And because you’re a very good mom to our kids.”

Dakota kisses me back. After a few seconds, her hands slide higher over my chest.

“Careful,” I murmur against her mouth.

“Why?”

“You know why.”

Her smile turns innocent. “I have no idea.”