“My party?” Kian perked up at the mention of his upcoming birthday party.
Vic chuckled at the return of excitement on his face.
“Yes, your party. Auntie Addison has been hard at work helping Mommy plan it,” Tachina said. She ruffled Kian’s curls.
“Can Leo come?” Kian asked.
“His momma said yes.” Tachina laughed at Kian pumping his fist in the air. She turned her attention back to Vic. “Addison said that there’s a final payment due for the caterers.”
“They have my card on file. I told them to charge everything to it,” Vic said.
He glanced over at Kian who reached for his apple juice. Vic leaned over and handed it to him so that the juice didn’t end up spilled across the table.
“Addison is making sure you’re kept in the loop since you’re paying for everything. She’s not going to just go around charging things to it without your knowledge.” Tachina shrugged.
“I trust her, and you know the cost doesn’t matter,” he said.
It was for his son’s fifth birthday party. A boy only turned five once, and what he’d said was true.The cost didn’t matter to him. He wanted to ensure everyone had a good time and Kian was happy.
“We didn’t need to go all out like this. Chuck E. Cheese would have been fine,” she muttered.
“Do you think my mother would step foot in a place like Chuck E. Cheese?” He lifted an eyebrow at her.
They stared at each other for a moment before they both shared a laugh. Nancy Maxwell didn’t do places like that. When he or Logan had parties growing up, they were the most extravagant events. Nancy and her pearls wouldn’t be caught dead in Chuck E. Cheese.
Silence settled between them. It wasn’t awkward at all. Even Kian was quiet while he worked on his food.
“So…” Vic said quietly.
Her eyes lifted to his, warm and welcoming.
He felt a pull to her.
Again, and it had nothing to do with planning and kids.
“Are you staying tonight?” he asked quietly. Last night replayed in his head. He wasn’t done with her. Not yet, and it wasn’t because of her optimal timing to conceive.
He wanted her.
She understood what he was asking. Her gaze flicked to Kian who was watching and waiting for her answer.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“You’re sleeping over again? Can we have pancakes tomorrow, too?” Kian asked her. He bounced around in his seat with a wide grin.
“Sure, big man. Whatever you want.”
Vic and Tachina laughed at the pure joy on his face. Tachina met Vic’s gaze. His mouth suddenly went dry. There was a glint in her eyes that gave him pause. Was she feeling what he was? This thing between them was an agreement. Make a baby. Co-parents to two children as they had done with one.
But was this turning into more?
Vic blinked. Maybe he was reading too much into this. Last night was the first night they’d been together in over five years.
He didn’t know what to think. He would have to figure this out. He couldn’t just ignore what was simmering between them.
Didn’t want to.
Eventually, they would have to talk, but what if all of this was one-sided? He glanced back at Tachina and took in her lovely smile. Their gazes met again.