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Liv: Is this a prank?

Gage: No. It’s time.

Liv: It was time ten years ago. What changed?

Gage: Farrah.

Liv: I like her.

Gage: Me too.

I set my phone down and brushed my teeth, then walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my waist.

Farrah looked up at me, fire in her eyes. “Oh my god, I didn’t realize I had that fantasy, but damn, that was hot.”

I looked around, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“You in that towel!” She grinned. “Do a spin!”

Laughing, I turned away from her, undoing the towel in front and holding it out to hide my private parts. When I spun to face her, I moved the towel again to keep me modest.

“Damn, Griffen, if you weren’t already insanely rich, I’d say you could make a good living giving stripteases.”

“Channing Tatum, look out,” I said, dropping the towel on the floor and going to my walk-in closet for clothes. “How did it go with Mia?”

“She didn’t believe me,” Farrah said, frowning.

That was about the last thing I’d expected. “What do you mean?”

“She thought I messed up April Fools’ Day again.”

“Wait, what?” I asked, peeking my head out of the closet to see her still on the bed. “How can you mess up April Fools’ Day? It’s always the first of April.”

“It’s not important. The point is, she was very surprised and a little doubtful but said she’s happy for us.” Farrah shrugged. “And she’s pissed you NDA’d me. You might get an earful about that later.”

I chuckled, going back into the closet. “Fair enough.”

As I got dressed, I heard her answer another call and start talking to Cora, Andrew, and Levi on the phone. She was so sweet as she asked them about their plans for the day. Made sure Andrew was actually changing his underwear instead of just turning them inside out.

I had to chuckle quietly at that one.

When she told the kids she loved them and said goodbye, I went to her, kissing her cheek. “You’re such an amazing mom.”

Her smile was tentative. “Sometimes I worry that I’m going to end up in their memoir. And not in a good way.”

The thought made me laugh. “What are they going to say? ‘My mom smiled at us too much? She tried too hard to make us happy and provide a good home?’”

Her cheeks flushed. “Well, Levi will definitely complain about my sunshine playlist and how loudly I sing along to it. Andrew will say I didn’t let him play enough video games. Oh, and that I forgot pajama day at school one too many times. And Cora? Well, jury’s still out on her.”

“You love them; that’s what matters.”

She smiled softly, the expression like the delicate sunlight streaming through the windows. “I should probably get ready, huh?”

I nodded. “I’ll make breakfast. Any requests?”

“You cook?”

“Not usually,” I admitted. “But for you, I will.”