Page 36 of Never Say Never

The girls shouted in triumph. Shelly stepped out, and York turned to her.

"Let me walk her out. The girls will show you where the popcorn is and the cake."

The moment both of them were gone, the girls jumped up and we high-fived. We made quick work of getting the popcorn in the microwave and the slices of cake on each plate. York joined us as I helped Nyra with the last bag of popcorn.

"You like kettle corn or movie butter?" I asked.

"Kettle."

I made a face but passed over the white bowl with sweet, nasty-ass popcorn.

"Want one or two slices of cake?"

"None."

"Daddy doesn't like cake," Nyra supplied.

I stared at York. "You will eat that stuff but not cake? Who hurt you?"

He shook his head at me and headed toward the couch, popping a few kernels in his mouth. The girls were quick with their cake, hopping onto the couch and snuggling up to their dad. Navy took one look at me and switched over to York's other side. She winked before settling back.

That is one smart little girl.

I took up a seat next to York, not too close. The last thing I needed was York freaking out and ending the movie night. We all settled in as York grabbed the remote and started Men in Black.

Should have known.

As the movie played on and we ate our popcorn and cake, I found myself relaxing even more. It was almost normal. In another world, where I wasn't born into a crime family, I might have met a man like York, and fit into his perfect world with his wholesome family. But right now, all I could do was live like Paul until I couldn't.

By the end of the movie, my hands were greasy. York's leg was pushed up against mine and our shoulders were a hair away from each other. The girls were out cold, the cake abandoned.

"I've seen that movie maybe a handful of times," I said.

"Really? I remember seeing it in theaters when I was a teen."

I bit my lip. "I was in elementary school."

York stared at me. "Stop talking."

"So what, you're robbing the cradle a little. Nothing wrong with that. We're two consenting adults."

"Shut up, Paul," York said, laughing.

He was up stretching, shutting me up instantly with such a delectable distraction. York moved over to the girls, looking between the two of them with a fond smile.

"Need help?"

He hesitated for a second, and I stayed still, not pushing it.

"Yeah. Grab Nyra for me, please. When they're out, it's like trying to wake the dead; they don't budge."

I scooped up Nyra. York led the way with Navy as we headed toward their room. I placed her down on the twin mattress and pulled the covers up.

"Dormi bene, piccola piantagrane," I whispered.

I backed out of the room, leaving York to say his good nights. I lingered around a bit. Even I was tired after the movie. The week had been a shit show after the bad bust. York joined me after a few minutes, closing the girls’ door after making sure their lava lamps were turned on.

I wasn't ready to leave, but I wasn't sure what York would agree to without the power of the twins. Our eyes met, and I moved without thought. I grabbed the front of his shirt and did what I wanted to do since the park.