Butterfly wings beat against the walls of my belly. “Well, Cope and I… We, um, we’re more than just friends. We’re dating. A couple.”
Luca stared at me for a long moment. “I know.”
My jaw went slack. “You know?”
Luca let out a little huff of air, a sound far beyond his years. “I’m not a dum-dum. You guys hold hands and stuff. Cope’s always touching you. And me and Gretzky saw you kissing in the kitchen the other night.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, but Cope just burst out laughing, making the pup bark.
“What?” Luca demanded.
Cope grinned at my son. “You are too smart.”
Luca straightened at that, pride sliding across his expression. “You better not forget it.”
Cope held up both hands. “Never.”
I just shook my head. “Do you have any questions about us, um, dating?”
Luca’s little brows pulled together. “Are you gonna be all mushy-gushy? Likea lot?”
“I’m hoping so,” Cope said, humor lacing his tone.
“Gross,” Luca muttered.
“Does that mean you don’t like us dating?” I asked, a niggle of worry making a home in my belly.
“I think you guys should just get married so we can stay here forever. But no mushy-gushy stuff.”
A giggle slipped free before I could stop it. “So, cool with the dating, not with the mushy-gushy.”
“Yup,” Luca said, popping the P.
“Since you’re okay with the dating, how would you feel about staying here with Cope? Not finding a new apartment.”
Luca froze, his gaze jumping back and forth between me and Cope. “Seriously?”
Cope’s grin widened. “Nothing would make me happier.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Times a million billion! I get to keep my room and swim in the pool and play in the creek and ride horses with Arden and?—”
“Take a breath,” I told Luca, laughter in my voice.
Luca’s gasping inhale was audible from the back seat. “This is gonna be freaking awesome! Cope, does the pond freeze in the winter? Can we skate on it?”
“You know, it does. My brothers and sisters and I play a game on it every Christmas,” Cope said.
Luca’s eyes went huge. “And I’ll get to play?”
“Speedy, you know I can’t win without you. And Ireallydon’t like to lose.”
A pang lit along my sternum. Cope wasn’t just giving me a senseof belonging and a home. He was giving it to Luca, too. Giving us all a family.
I squeezed Cope’s fingers. “I love you.”
Cope’s dark-blue eyes heated. “Warrior…”
I leaned over the console and brushed my lips across his.
