Ivy ran ahead of us, giving me the chance to slip a hand around Matty’s waist and kiss his cheek. “We okay?”
“Yeah. Never been better.”
We piled into his truck, Ivy happily seated in her car seat in the cab. She hummed tunelessly, bouncing her heels against the seat. By the time we rolled into the open commons, the place was already alive with families and couples spreading blankets and lawn chairs, a giant blow-up screen stretched tall against the twilight sky. The air smelled of butter and cut grass, and the whole town buzzed with that small-town excitement.
I wasn’t surprised at how busy it was. Given we didn’t have a conventional cinema, whenever the movies were on, practically everyone in town attended.
Gray and Ozzie were already there, and Ozzie texted me their location, where he’d kept a patch of grass available for us next to them. Lawson was leaning on his elbows while Opie fussed with a basket beside him. He was pouting, probably from the fact that I didn’t see a hen feather in sight.
Ivy spotted them, let go of my hand, and squealed at the top of her lungs, “Paapaa!” She ran straight for Gray. “Paapaa! Paapaa! I got two daddies now!” She sounded so proud of her accomplishment.
When she threw herself at him, Gray caught her easily. “That so? You lucky girl.”
Ozzie grinned and gave me a thumbs-up I pretended not to see. My face burned hotter than the fading sun. Matty looked like his heart had cracked wide open in the best way possible.
We settled onto our blanket. Ivy plopped herself between Gray and Ozzie, demanding to be tucked under Papa’s arm like he was a second armrest. My chest tugged watching it. How easily she gave her whole little heart to these people who were now our family.
“I’m getting us popcorn and soda.” I patted my pocket for my wallet. “Do you want anything?”
Matty brushed his hand against mine. “Stay. I’ll get it.” He stood and strode off toward the concession stand, his broad shoulders cutting through the crowd.
The screen flickered, and the chatter dimmed. Ivy leaned across Ozzie, eyes wide with anticipation. “Daddy, can I have some candy too, pleasepleaseplease?”
“Just a little.” I pushed up from the blanket. “I’ll go find your Matt, see if I can wheedle candy out of him.”
Weaving through the crowd, I scanned for his dark hair,his frame. Found him almost at the head of the concession line, talking to someone.
Todd from the clinic.
I frowned. Todd leaned in close, smiling up at Matty like he hung the moon. His hand brushed Matty’s arm like he had the right. He was flirting with Matty. My breath caught in my throat as I willed myself not to feel jealousy, but the contact between them stung.
My chest tightened, and I curled my fists at my sides as I watched them. Matty didn’t flinch at the contact, but a beat later, he casually pulled his arm back, easing it out of reach like it was nothing. The rational part of my brain whispered that Matty wasn’t encouraging it, that Todd was the one crossing lines. But all I saw was Todd standing there like he had some claim, while the man who had just braided my daughter’s hair and been asked to be her daddy was smiling at him in the moonlight.
I squared my shoulders and closed the distance, settling in at Matty’s side like I’d been born there. My hand found his waist without hesitation, thumb stroking a slow, deliberate circle through the fabric of his shirt. He startled, then relaxed, leaning into me like it was natural. Which, hell, it was.
“Hey, Ivy decided she wants candy too,” I said, keeping my tone even, friendly. I brushed a quick kiss over Matty’s temple, then looked at the other man. “Todd, what’s up?”
“Hudson.” He narrowed his eyes slightly. “So… you two are dating?”
Matty opened his mouth, but I beat him to it. “More like living together,” I said easily, squeezing Matty’s waist for good measure. “Surprised you didn’t hear already. Town gossip travels faster than wildfire.”
Todd’s smile flattened. “I don’t pay attention to gossip.”
“Mm.” I tilted my head. “Thing is, there’s usually some truth in it.” I let that hang in the air, polite smile fixed while Matty shifted beside me, clearly picking up the undercurrent.
An awkward silence stretched. Todd shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Well, then. Good for you.”
“Thanks,” I said shortly. Then I tipped my chin toward the line, which had moved up. “We should order stuff. Our daughter’s waiting.” I made sure to emphasizeour daughteras I took a step forward, subtly closing the conversation.
“Right.” Todd lingered a half second longer than he needed to, then muttered something under his breath and peeled away into the crowd.
The second he was gone, Matty twisted to look at me. “What was that?”
I snorted, tightening my arm around him, then gave him a jab in the gut with my fist. He let out a soft “oof,” glaring at me.
“Don’t you know when a guy’s flirting with you?”
Matty blinked, wide-eyed, all innocence. “Is that what that was?” His voice was all fake-earnest, like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
