Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“You’re welcome.” Nodding toward the menus, I decided to change the subject just in case. “What are you thinking about having for dinner?”
For some reason that got more giggles from the audience and Kenzie sighed. “I’m not allowed to have pancakes for dinner. Miss Nancy said so.”
I was pretty sure that was the woman who owned the diner and could make a sailor blush. Pancakes didn’t seem to be on the menu, which was probably why she wouldn’t make them for my dramatic cutie, but I wasn’t bound by ridiculous rules. “That’s terrible. How about I make you pancakes for dinner tomorrow?”
And that got me more sighs.
Making pancakes for a little did not qualify as romantic.
It was just basic fucking caretaking.
“With syrup?” Kenzie shifted to a very concerned expression that was delightfully manipulative. “Some people put applesauce on it so they’re healthy.”
And that was tragic?
“Yes, syrup for my cutie, but I don’t know…cinnamon apples would be good on pancakes.” Shrugging as giggles could be heard around the restaurant, I did my best to ignore them. “Or we could get strawberries and whipped cream.”
Kenzie’s eyes widened and he straightened. “I make whipped cream, Daddy. I can do it without a can.”
The only thing he seemed to be able to cook was dessert, so that did not surprise me.
“I bet you could make a good chocolate sauce to go over the strawberries.” As Kenzie nodded and made needy sounds that should only be reserved for the best sex, half the room groaned and the other half sighed.
“I like sauce, Daddy. I can do it. You’ll see.” He was nodding so excitedly, I couldn’t resist.
“Then how about we go to the grocery store tomorrow after you finish working and we’ll make sure we have everything we need.” And I could work on getting him actual dinner groceries at the same time.
“Yes, I’ll be very good and I won’t forget.” As Kenzie started to squirm and look guilty, probably realizing he would forget, I pretended not to notice.
“You don’t need to remember.” I shrugged like it was no big deal. “I’ll just come get you when it’s time. How about that?”
He seemed to be one of those creative types who got wrapped up in their own world and needed to be rescued from it on a regular basis.
“Thank you, Daddy.” Kenzie was back to looking at me like I hung the moon and half the restaurant seemed to agree with him based on the sound effects.
“You’re welcome.” Reaching across the table, I squeezed his hand. “But we have to pick out something else now.”
He gave me the most adorable pout as he looked down at the menu. “Miss Nancy makes me have soup if I’m naughty.”
So no soup.
“Well, you’ve been very good, so how about macaroni and cheese?” It was a shot in the dark based on how much cheese was in his fridge, but it got me more excited nods. “And what should I pick?”
Looking thoughtful and a bit like Winnie the Pooh doing his think, think, think face, Kenzie took his time. “Daddies like meatloaf.”
I wasn’t going to try to figure out that logic because he wasn’t wrong.
“That sounds delicious.” As he beamed at me, I gave him a teasing smile. “And then maybe we could go back to your house and you could share one of your desserts with me?”
The sighs were starting to get annoying, but they were worth putting up with to see Kenzie smile.
Fingers crossed my cute little alien could actually bake.
****
“I’ve got cookies and brownies and cupcakes with no icing and muffins and—” As we looked into the freezer, I stopped his wonderful list with a hug and a kiss on his head.
“Which one should we pick? I trust you, cutie.” He was the one who’d know what reheated best at the very least.
“A brownie.” He answered without thinking about it, giving me a full-body wiggle as he turned to focus on me. “I’m such a good brownie baker, Daddy. Honest. I don’t even need a box.”
Wait.
“You can make those without a box mix?” Had I ever seen anyone do that before?
Kenzie giggled, cuddling into me and hiding his face against my shoulder as I shut the freezer door. “Daddy.”
As he giggled, I pretended to be offended and huffed. “I can make homemade macaroni and cheese, so should you be giggling?”
His head popped up and he was back to giving me his you’re amazing look. “Without burning it or making it explode?”
Did he have electricity problems too?
“Sweetheart, do you make the microwave explode?” Thankfully, he realized that was a reasonable question and shook his head seriously.
“No, Daddy.” He kissed my cheek, distracted from the giggles. “I’m earthy, not explody.”
He seemed to think that was a very logical explanation, so I just nodded. “I’m glad.”
That seemed safer…especially when I realized how many power tools he used on a regular basis.