I picked up Riley’s plate and stacked it with mine so I didn’t laugh.
Mom and Ken left the kitchen without another word, leaving the three of us at the table.
“Do I have to clean up?” Riley wrinkled up her face as she looked around the kitchen.
It was a disaster. Dishes were stacked on every surface, knives and serving spoons littered the counter and stove, and pots half-filled with food sat on trivets on the kitchen island.
“You can help clear the table.” I pushed my chair back. “Then you can go play until we’re done.”
“Want me to start the kitchen while you two get the table?” Jules stood and stacked plates.
“Sure. I’ll help you when we’re done.”
Riley looked between us, a confused expression on her face.
“Ready, munchkin?”
She nodded.
It was a good thing we’d decided not to hide anything from her. She saw everything. Even if she didn’t understand what was going on now, she’d figure it out.
We were finishing up when Mom and Ken left.
“Nice of them to stick around, considering how they chewed us out for being late.” I put the last serving platter in the cupboard.
“Honestly, I’m glad they’re gone.” Jules leaned against the counter. “A night in with just Riley is preferable to being stuck here with them.”
“I don’t have to go tonight.”
“Yeah, you do. And it’s fine.” He ran his hand down my arm, his fingers tracing over my hand. “I don’t mind. Really.”
I wasn’t in the mood for a party, but Liv had messaged me last night asking if I was going. We talked on the regular, but she’d spent the summer doing an internship at some law firm near where she went to school, and I hadn’t seen her since Christmas break.
“I won’t be gone too long.”
“It’s fine, really.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“Jules?”
We both froze at Riley’s voice.
“Hey, kiddo.” Jules took a half step away from me. “Want to watch a movie tonight?”
She nodded.
“How about you go get comfy, and I’ll be there in a minute?”
She beamed at us and took off.
“I should get in there before she comes looking for me again.”
“I should get going.”
He pecked a quick kiss against my lips, then smacked my ass.
“Go get ‘em, tiger.”
Laughing, I slung one arm over his shoulder and pulled him close so I could mess up his hair. “You’re ridiculous.”