{{user}} went to tuck our little monster in for bed while I sat on the sofa, smoking a cigarette—nicotine, not weed—and flipping through channels. I’d promised her I’d watch Mean Girls with her, so I was waiting for her to get back.

When she returned, there was a soft smile on her face, the kind she always had after putting AJ down for the night. I reached out an arm for her, and without hesitation, she sat beside me, letting me pull her in close.

“He’s asleep?” I asked, raising a brow.

She nodded, snuggling into me. “Yep.”

I took another drag, exhaling slowly. “Finally. Sometimes he can be stubborn like his ma.”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “Whatever. You’re just as stubborn as I am.”

I smirked. “Yeah, but at least I’m charming about it.”

She scoffed. “Debatable.”

I turned my head to look at her. “Debatable?”

She hummed, pretending to consider it. “I mean… you have your moments.”

I nudged her. “Liar. You think I’m the hottest thing to ever grace this planet.”

“Oh, absolutely.” She grinned, propping her chin on my chest. “I’m with you purely for your devastatingly good looks.”

I grinned. “I knew it.”

She tapped a finger against my chest. “And you’re with me because?”

I exhaled another puff of smoke, grinning lazily. “Tits.”

She gasped, shoving at me playfully. “Joey!”

I chuckled, catching her hand before she could pull away. “Nah, baby. It’s the ass.”

She smacked my chest, laughing, and I grabbed her wrist, yanking her fully onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her

“You’re an eejit,” she huffed.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. “And you love me for it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately.”

I laughed, kissing her properly before flicking the cigarette into the ashtray. “C’mon then, let’s watch your stupid film.”

“It’s not stupid.” She grabbed the remote, settling against me.

I rested my chin on top of her head, holding her close. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t start quoting the whole thing.”

She gasped dramatically. “That’s like, the rules of feminism!”

I groaned. “Jesus Christ.”