Page 46

I bark out a laugh. “Fair enough.”

This is why I told them our reservation was at 6:00 when it’s actually at 6:30. I know my girls well enough at this point to never plan to be anywhere on time. How a four-year-old and a pregnant woman can take this much time getting ready is a mystery to me.

Starving, I start rummaging through the pantry to find a snack when footsteps make me turn.

Luddy comes in with her blond hair pulled back into fancy pigtails with colorful bows all over her head. She’s paired her long-sleeved green dress with some white tights and white shoes. The combo makes her look even more grown-up.

“Look at you, Princess. You’re all fancied up. I like your bows.”

Luddy grins. “I couldn’t choose a color, so Kylie told me to pick them all.”

Kylie comes in behind her. She’s curled her hair into messy waves that float around her shoulders.

It’s been a month since she moved back home, and I swear I love her more now than I ever have. I didn’t think that was possible.

She’s got a green jumpsuit on that matches Luddy’s dress. They look like quite the pair together.

“You look beautiful too, Mama.” I lean in to kiss her quickly because if my girls are ready, that means they’ll be starving in about ten minutes.

“Where are we going, Daddy?” Luddy slings her tiny purse over her shoulder. I’d bet a hundred bucks all she has in there is her ChapStick, a toy credit card, and potentially a random keychain or small toy.

“It’s a surprise.”

Luddy frowns up at me. I gently grab her shoulder to ensure she doesn’t trip down the stairs of the front porch. “Why?”

With my other hand in Kylie’s, I help her down the steps and to my truck as I respond, “Because it’s fun to treat you girls to a night on the town.”

“But what if I don’t like where we go?”

“Oh, I know you’ll like it.”

Luddy’s skeptical expression makes me want to laugh. I kiss her on the forehead after getting her settled in her seat. Then I make sure Kylie’s safely in the truck before jumping behind the wheel and backing out of our driveway.

The twenty-minute drive goes by in a flash due to Luddy’s amazing ability to put on a concert no matter where she is. All she needs is a Taylor Swift song, and the entertainment is endless.

When I pull into the Chateau’s parking lot, Luddy gasps. “Daddy. We’re eating here tonight? Are we celebrating somethin’?”

“We’re celebrating the fact that I finally have my two favorite girls under one roof with no end date in sight.” I jump out of my truck and help Kylie out first. Why do I find the way she adjusts her outfit the second she’s standing up adorable? And when she rests her palms on her rounded belly? Chef’s kiss. No notes. Perfection.

I cup her cheek, unable to hold back the affection brimming over. “You’re gorgeous.”

A blush blooms across her face, so I pop a kiss on her lips before getting Luddy out of her seat.

“Are we gonna get chocolate cake?” London asks as we walk inside.

I scoff. “Of course we’re getting chocolate cake. You can’t have dinner at the Chateau and not get their chocolate cake.”

“I’ve never eaten here before.” Kylie’s words have London and me whipping around to stare at her.

“You never comed here before?” The shock in Luddy’s voice is apparent.

Kylie shrugs. “Nope. I take it it’s good?”

Luddy sighs. “It’s only the best place in the whole town to have a fancy dinner.”

“And it’s not even that fancy,” I add. “Their food is just really delicious, and you have to have a reservation if you want to eat before seven.”

Kylie’s eyes widen. “Are we late? Did we miss our reservation?”