Page 57 of The Homemaker

“That’s nice of you.”

“I think so too. But I once knew this woman who?—”

“Do you think she’s going to make it this time?” I ask, cutting him off.

“Who? What are you talking about?”

I scrub the plate with the sponge. “Blair. Do you think she’s going to make it down the aisle and say yes to you?”

There’s a long pause. In fact, I’m not sure he’s still in the room, so I glance over my shoulder. Murphy’s expression dies. He looks lost.

I turn back toward the sink. “It must be agonizing,” I say. “Loving someone with your whole heart, planning for a future, yet living with such uncertainty. Because you do, right? You love her with yourwholeheart?”

“Let’s go, Murphy,” Hunter calls from the back door.

My spine straightens and I hold my breath hostage when Murphy steps closer, so close the heat from his body singes my skin, so close that the mix of eucalyptus and sweet birch from his body wash fills my next breath.

“Thanks for breakfast,” he whispers in my ear, his face brushing my hair, and I feel it everywhere.

“Have you been to Disney?” Callen asks as we lie tangled under a chenille throw on the leather sofa at sunset.

“I have. Why?”

“Just curious.”

“Did you tell your wife you want to bring your girlfriendnext time?” I tease his ribs while resting my head on his hairy chest.

“Ex-wife.And no, I didn’t tell her that because I didn’t know I had a girlfriend. Are you applying for the position? Think you can handle being a homemakeranda girlfriend?”

I giggle. “You’re right. I’m not your girlfriend, just your lover.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I just worry that you had a terrible childhood, and I don’t want to flaunt my trips in front of you.”

“Then you should have left your Mickey ears at home.”

“Shut the fuck up.” He laughs. “I didn’t bring Mickey ears.”

“But you have a pair, right?”

“No. But I have a cool lightsaber that makes noises.”

I grin. “Did your kids have a fun time?”

“The best.”

“And you and yourexgot along just fine?”

“We did.”

“Did you have vacation sex after the kids were asleep?”

“What?” He grabs my arms to lift me off his chest so he can see my face.

I sit up between his spread legs, pulling the blanket to my chest as I roll my eyes. “I’m kidding. Or not. It doesn’t matter, Callen. I don’t care if you did. I’mnotyour girlfriend.”

“Well, for the record, I do happen to care if you’re screwing some other guy, so maybe we should have a talk. We don’t have to be serious, but I prefer we be monogamous. Despite what you think, I’m a coach, not a player.”

“Cute,” I say, giving him a fake smile while standing. Idrop the blanket and pull my black sundress over my head before padding to the bathroom.