Page 56

“I wish. Unfortunately, that’s not really possible given that my parents will be in town.”

“They’re coming?”

“Yeah. They did last year too. They usually just come up for a day. Because they live relatively close, they opted not to stay in a hotel, so they’ll only be here for a few hours.” She pauses for a brief moment. “Aren’tyourparents coming this year?”

“They are.”

“See, even more reason for you to come.”

“I wouldn’t say that’s more reason.” I chuckle. “I see my parents all the time.”

“I guess that’s true. I forget that you live so close to them.”

“Lyla, get off your sister.” I shake my head, returning my attention to Charlotte. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Do you think I should come?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

“You don’t think it’s risky?”

“No more risky than what we’re already doing. At least this way, it’ll give me a chance to see you.”

“See me but not touch me.”

“Says who?” Her smile turns sheepish. “If you get a hotel room...”

“Are you saying you’ll spend the weekend with me?”

“Like you even have to ask.” She rolls her pretty green eyes with a smile.

“Okay, I’ll come.”

“You will?”

“Took a lot to convince me, didn’t it?” I snort out a laugh. “Seems I have trouble telling you no, Miss O’Malley.”

“Some would argue it’s the other way around, Mr. Parker.” She draws her bottom lip between her teeth in a way that makes me desperate to do the same.

Crying tugs my attention back to the girls and I see Lacy lying in a heap, holding her head as she wails.

“Shit. I gotta go. Niece down.”

“She okay?” Worry laces her voice.

“She will be. As soon as her sister stops using her as a body slam bag.” I stand, quickly closing the distance between me and the girls.

“Call me later once you’re home.”

“I will.”

“Talk soon.” With that, she disconnects the call.

An hour later, Avery and Dalton arrive. I’m happy to report that other than Lyla trying to smash her sister’s head in on the trampoline, there were no other incidents to speak of. It did, however, reinforce my indecision over having children one day.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my nieces dearly. But spending less than two hours as their sole caretaker and I am more than happy to pass them back off to their parents.