“Sweetheart,” he says, and whereas before, it made my stomach flutter, now I put my hands on my hips.

“Oh, no, don’t you sweetheart me. If you want me to stay here, I will do the cleaning and the laundry.” He glares at me. “And the cooking.”

“Dylan, are you done?” Justin turns to him, and Dylan brushes his hands together. “Wash your hands.”

“Okay, Justin,” he says, getting off the stool and bringing his plate to the sink. “Can we watch a short movie?”

“Sure,” I answer him, and he looks at Justin.

“You can choose.” He smiles at him, and Justin smirks at first and then totally smiles. Dylan walks away, and Justin watches him, then turns to me.

“You are not cleaning my house nor are you doing my laundry,” he says, and I cross my arms over my chest.

“Fine. I won’t clean your house or do your laundry. But I will clean up after myself and my son in your house.” I point at him. “And I’ll do my laundry.” I smirk now. “And if yours happen to fall in at the same time”—I raise my hands—“oh well.” He glares at me. “I can’t give you anything for having me and Dylan stay here. I can’t even pay for the clothes you bought.”

“I don’t want you to give me anything,” he says softly. “Just being here is all you need to give me.”

“Can you just let me give you the only thing I can?” I ask. “You don’t have to cancel your cleaning lady but let me just tidy things up if I can.”

He put his hands on his hips and huffs out. “Fine, but no vacuuming or mopping.”

I throw my hands up. “There is nothing left.”

He just shrugs. “Well, then you can just relax and come and watch a show with us.” He walks around the counter and kisses me. “Now let’s go.” He grabs my hand, and our fingers link together, and he kisses the tips of my fingers.

We walk to the back room, and I sit on the couch, curling my feet under me. Dylan comes to cuddle into my side. Justin gets on the other side of me, putting his arm around me and pulling us into him. We watch two episodes of a baking show, and when it’s time for bed, Dylan is already half out of it. He kisses us both good night and slips into bed.