Page 68 of Up All Night

“That’s the plan.”

“Bye, boss!” Great, now Amos and the day crew were doing it too. But rather than be irritated, I smiled. Maybe I could get used to this. I made it to my truck in record time. The sun was up, and June was in full swing with longer days and shorter nights and the sort of weather that made me glad to be staying in Mount Hope.

Home.I parked on the street because Eric’s wide driveway could only hold so many cars, and the kids would be leaving for school soon. In fact, as I made my way around the house, I discovered the three of them on the back deck with a colorful tablecloth on the picnic table with a homemade sign that saidCongrats.

“It’s the last day of school!” Rowan called out. He wore a silver mesh top more suited for a club than high school.

“Last day of school.” Wren was far grumpier as they tugged at theirT-shirt featuring some sort of periodic table joke. “But Dad made bacon. Want some?”

Wren gestured at the table as John brought out a platter heaped with pancakes.

“Thanks, but I think I had enough bacon at work.” I grinned, though, grateful at how easily this household had accepted me. Sean and I cooked with the kids most nights when he wasn’t on duty, and I’d come to really look forward to the rowdy family meals. “Besides, Sean is waiting on me.”

“Go on.” Eric smiled back as he waved me on with a spatula. Good to see him smile, something he was doing a little more often these days.

“Come over after school,” John called before I could walk on. “We’re having the last day of school ice cream cake. It’s a tradition.”

Huh. Traditions. I didn’t have many of those. Sean and the Murphy clan had a whole stack of them, though, from Sunday dinner to birthdays to holidays. Eric and the kids also had their traditions, and it was both weird and wonderful to be included. The idea that I might—would—be around next year at this time made me need a deep breath, but I didn’t tense in the way I would have a few months ago.

“Will do. I’ll bring Sean,” I promised. “How’s driving practice going?”

“I’m driving to school.” John smirked.

“With me. Slowly,” Eric added as he served up pancakes to the kids. “Oh, and, Denver, tell Sean I heard from Tony. He’ll be here in time for?—”

“Dad’s birthday barbecue!” Wren crowed.

“Which is so not a big deal.” Eric gestured with the spatula.

“Denver already said he’d help with the chicken.” Wren was not to be deterred in their enthusiasm for Eric’s upcoming birthday.

“Thanks.” Eric nodded at me before turning back to Wren. “No explosions, please.”

“We’ll try.” Wren grinned as the rest of them groaned.

“Get some sleep,” Eric ordered as Jonas came striding up the walkway in scrubs, yawning wide as the dog came to greet him.

I exchanged a quick hello before heading on to the carriage house.

I opened the door and didn’t immediately spot Sean, so I called out, “Hey, I’m home.”

I paused, heart thumping. I sounded like something out of a sitcom, a life that wasn’t mine. And then Sean emerged from the bathroom in only a towel, and all was right in my world. This was my real life, and this was home.

“You are.” Sean crossed the room to give me a kiss that had me very grateful for the thick blinds we’d installed.

“And you’re already showered.” I ran a finger along the edge of his towel, dipping lower over his hipbones.

“I am.” Sean steered me toward the small bathroom, which, while updated, was still smaller than many closets. Multitasking, Sean kept tugging at my clothes as we went. “Your turn.”

“Our next house is going to have a shower for two. Walk-in, tile, dual showerheads,” I mused as I finished stripping, only to turn when Sean gasped. “What?”

“You said next house.” Leaning against the corner sink, Sean’s eyes were wide and surprisingly emotional.

“Well, yeah, down the road a piece, when Eric and his kids need us less…” I trailed off because Sean’s smile became as wide as his eyes.

“I love you.” Tone offhand, he beamed at me. He was so easy with his feelings that I wasn’t sure whether he meant the words casually or as a more serious declaration.

Ever cautious, I went for joking. “Because I’m dreaming of a bigger shower?”