They stopped in the kitchen where Asher was lugging a jug of milk out of the fridge. He already had a cookie on a plate.
He looked at them with a proud smile, hair still falling in his eyes. “I got it, Mom.”
“One cookie, Ash.”
His little bottom lip slipped between his teeth and Nick wanted to grab the jug for him, pour his damn milk, but he kind of loved the way his sister just let him try, let him be independent.
“When the Smarties get back, can we watch a Christmas movie?” Asher asked, taking a wobbly step onto his stool before letting the jug hit the counter.
“You could buy a smaller jug of milk,” Nick whispered, his lips twitching into a smile. Determination ran in the family.
“He’s got it,” Ellie said as Asher turned the lid, balancing it against the glass edge.
“I got it, Uncle Nick. I’m strong like you.”
Another squeeze in his chest. His heart was likely to get the bigger workout than the rest of him this week. “Yeah, you are, bud.”
“See?” Asher beamed.
The pride on Asher’s face when he successfully poured his milk reminded Nick that it had been a long time since he’d celebrated a small triumph. It also made him realize Asher was getting big so fast; he didn’t want to miss it all.
“Good job, bud. Make sure you put it away. I’m going to take Uncle Nick up to his room.”
Nick followed his sister up the stairs that led off the kitchen. “So, Colt, his husband, an older sister, and his husband’s parents?”
On the wide-open wood-planked landing, Ellie stopped again. The glow of the moon was coming through the skylight. “Plus Jacoband Natalie’s—that’s the older one—younger sister. She’s adorable and sweet. She offered to update my website and take new photos.”
Probably for a price. Just because they were Colt’s family didn’t mean they couldn’t take advantage of his sister.
“She qualified for that?”
Ellie shook her head, walked to one of the doors on the right, and opened it. “You’re such a cynic.”
Moving past her, he walked into the room and threw his bags on the king-size bed covered in a Grinch comforter. He turned and faced her, hands on his hips.
“Nice bedding, brat. Also, I’m a realist, El. And you didn’t answer the question.”
He’d missed the signs her ex-husband was taking advantage of not only her but Nick’s name. He wouldn’t do that again.
“She’s Colton’s sister-in-law, Nick. She looks and acts like a badass Disney princess and we’ve already bonded over idiot exes and snickerdoodles, so we’re basically best friends.”
She turned and walked out of the room.
He followed. “And look at that; you still haven’t answered my question.”
She groaned, looked back over her shoulder. “I missed you, but not your protective older brother foolishness.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not foolishness. It’s called wisdom.”
His sister snort laughed and it reminded him of when he used to make her laugh so hard she couldn’t breathe.
Ellie covered her mouth, then composed herself. “Let your guard down, Nicky. She’s a professional photographer. You’ll love Maisie. I guarantee it.”
Nick stopped like he hit a brick wall.When the Smarties get back…Smart. Photographer. Maisie Smart.Holy shit.
His lungs constricted and images flashed through his head like a movie on fast-forward.
Rich, brown eyes that saw right through a man. Hair softer than silk. A smile that haunted his dreams even months after. Laughter that rang in his head. A touch that made him ache. The way she’d moved against him and the scent of her shampoo. Her fingers on his skin, his hands all over her, her legs wrapped around him, her mouth on his, kissing her, touching her, learning her, and falling so hard he’d have been content to stay forever. But he’d had to leave. And force himself, almost daily, not to look back.
