Chapter 401

Madison

I poured him a small glass of milk and handed over the cookie, watching as he carefully carried both to a nearby table. My mother followed, settling into the chair beside him.

Christopher leaned closer to me, his voice low. “He’s adorable. My nephew’s six. Into dinosaurs too, actually.” He watched Ethan devour his cookie with enthusiasm. “Seems like a good kid.”

“He is.” Pride swelled in my chest, the kind only a parent understood.

Christopher’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and grimaced. “Work. I should take this.”

“Go ahead.”

He grabbed his phone and stepped outside.

I busied myself wiping down the espresso machine, trying to ignore the knowing look my mother was giving me.

“He’s nice,” she said finally.

“Who?”

“Christopher. Very polite. Handsome too.”

“Mom.”

“I’m just saying.” She took a sip of Ethan’s milk, earning a protest from my son. “You could do worse.”

“We’re not dating.”