Mia took her movie nights very seriously. After an intense discussion over what film to watch, we’d landed on an old version of Swiss Family Robinson that Mia and Ava could practically recite by heart. When the pirates attacked, Ava covered her face with a pillow while Mia mimed sword fighting as if she could defeat them herself.

Will was a trooper through most of it but finally called it quits halfway through to go and finish up some homework. By the time the credits rolled, Mia had passed out from her sugar high, and Ava rubbed her eyes.

“All right.” Caelyn climbed to her feet. “Time to get you party animals to bed so you’re not falling asleep in class tomorrow.”

Ava nodded sleepily. “Thanks, Cae Cae. Thanks, Griffin. Tonight was really fun.”

I grinned as the girl wobbled to her feet. “Anytime.” I bent to pick up a dead-to-the-world Mia.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Caelyn said.

“I don’t mind.” Mia weighed about as much as a sack of flour. “Can you point me in the right direction?”

Caelyn nodded, leading me down the same path Ava had taken. We stopped at a small room that had two twin-sized beds. Above each was a rainbow with their names painted on them in a glittery script. My gaze swept over the space, taking in as many details as possible. The small table littered with arts and crafts projects. A dresser with gobs of play jewelry on top. The photos of Caelyn and her siblings that dotted the various surfaces. It was warm and homey and though small, everything a little girl could want.

I laid Mia carefully on her bed as Caelyn pulled back the covers. I grinned at the brightly colored unicorns dotting Mia’s PJs. “I guess you were smart to make them change before the movie.”

Ava crawled into her own bed. “We always get too sleepy to change after.”

Caelyn pressed a kiss to Mia’s forehead and then crossed to Ava to do the same. “Got Scooter?” Ava held up a stuffed dog and nodded. “Got your nightlight?” She looked at the outlet beside her bed and nodded again. “Love you oodles.”

“Oodles and poodles,” Ava whispered back, her eyes growing heavy.

I silently followed Caelyn out of the room. “They are pretty damn adorable.”

She grinned over her shoulder. “Most of the time. But when they fight…” She let out a low whistle. “It can get very high-pitched around here.”

I chuckled. “I can imagine.”

We came to a stop in the small living room, Caelyn shuffling her feet. “Any chance you want a really horrible night’s sleep on our couch? You totally don’t have to if it’s weird. I work for you and—”

“I’d like to stay.” I’d already been wondering what the chances were of me getting arrested if I slept in my truck outside the O’Connors’ house.