“Shit!” Monica yelped, sprinting back.
“Ohhh, you said a bad word,” Dena whispered like she’d witnessed a felony.
“Sorry!” Monica called back.
Kane leaned closer to Dena. “Boys who put glue in girls’ hair are not good boyfriends. When you’re older, you’ll find one who’s nicer.”
“Really?” She looked more serious than some adults he’d interrogated.
“Really,” he nodded. “I would never put glue in a girl’s hair if I liked her.”
Dena thought this over deeply. “He smells funny sometimes.”
Kane bit back a laugh. “Stinky boys who put glue in their girlfriends’ hair are not cool?”
Monica set plates in front of them, her lips twitching like she was trying not to laugh.
“I’m breaking up with him,” Dena declared, drowning her pancakes in syrup.
“I think that’s the right call,” Kane nodded, taking the syrup she handed him.
“Me too,” she imitated him with a nod, and it was so cute.
He smiled with a chuckle as his eyes rose to see Monica staring at him, before she quickly looked away.
Kane finished his pancakes, listening to the two of them chat. He felt…relaxed. Content, even. A sensation so unfamiliar he almost didn’t recognize it.
When they finally finished eating, Monica kissed Dena’s forehead. “All right. Bed.”
“Can I sleep with you, Aunt Monnie?” Dena asked right before she yawned.
Monica raised a brow. “Are you going to put your cold feet on me?”
Dena shook her head, lying badly by the look of her sneaky grin.
Monica sighed dramatically. “Then yes. Go on up. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Okay!” Dena took off, then suddenly doubled back, throwing her arms around Kane’s neck before racing down the hall. “Night, Kane!”
Kane froze, blindsided. Jesus. That little hug hit places he didn’t know existed anymore.
“Sorry about that,” Monica said softly, her voice cracking. Tears filled her eyes. “She’s been through so much, and?—”
“It’s fine,” Kane said, but truthfully? That hug messed him up more than any demon ever had. He stood, pulling out his phone. “Thanks for the pancakes.”
“You’re welcome.” Monica wiped her eyes, clearing her throat. “Um…there aren’t extra bedrooms, but I can get a pillow and blanket. The couch is comfy.”
“I don’t sleep,” Kane said casually, eyes on his phone.
“Oh.” Monica blinked, looking around like she wasn’t sure what to do with that. “I just…feel weird leaving you by yourself.”
Kane smirked. “I’m not going to murder anyone in their sleep, Monica.”
She snorted. “That’s not what I meant. It just feels rude to leave you alone.”
“No worries.” He lifted his phone. “I’ve got TikTok.”
Her laugh burst out. “Seriously?”