“Who bought those for you?”

Anthony wrapped his arms a little tighter around Charlotte, her warmth spilling into him and making it hard to stay mad. “Was it Helen?”

“I made her do it.” Charlotte’s eyes glimmered with mischief, her lips curved in an easy smile. She didn’t seem scared of his scowl at all. “Are you mad?”

“You know pregnant women shouldn’t eat this stuff, right?” Anthony drew a slow breath, trying to keep calm. He dropped his voice to be gentle. “Forget about whether it’s clean or not. There’s way too many additives. It’s not good for you or the babies.”

Charlotte blinked at him and nodded obediently, soaking up his lecture like a good student.

“How many bags did you eat?”

“Two.” She held up two fingers and couldn’t help licking her lips, savoring the memory. “The babies say they’re delicious.”

Anthony shook his head. He was torn between exasperation and affection as he pulled her a little closer. “How many did you buy? Any more left?”

“That’s it.” Charlotte’s big, innocent eyes grew wide as she gave him her best serious face. “Just two bags.”

“Seriously?” Anthony didn’t buy it for a second.

“Seriously.”

Before the word even finished leaving her lips, there was the sudden sound of plastic hitting the floor. Both of them turned to look.

Scattered across the shiny floor were a few unopened bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Anthony just stared, lost for words.

Charlotte was silent too.

They looked at each other, neither knowing what to say, the silence growing more ridiculous by the second.

Charlotte broke it first, her fingers toying with the buttons on his shirt, her voice as lazy and sweet as her smile. “Anthony, how about you just… pretend you didn’t see that?”

He couldn’t help it—a smile tugged at his lips as he pinched her waist in fake punishment. “You really think I’m that easy to fool?”

“Yeah, don’t you?” Charlotte’s lips curled into a playful pout. She leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. “If you don’t let me eat it, I’ll get grumpy. If I’m grumpy, I’ll take it out on you. And if I take it out on you, you’ll feel bad.”

Anthony listened, letting her spin her little tale.

“So really,” Charlotte went on, putting on her most innocent face, “I eat Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for your happiness.”

He rubbed his forehead, fighting a losing battle with a smile. With another light pinch to her cheek, he said, “Please, spare me the excuses next time.”

He stood up, crossed the room, and bent down to gather the Cheetos off the floor. Just as he was about to toss them in the trash, Charlotte’s tone shifted.

“You’re really going to throw away my snacks? Wow, Anthony, feeling bold today?”

Anthony froze, caught by her clear, determined gaze. She sat there on the couch, arms crossed, looking every bit like she’d toss him out if he so much as tried it.

“They’re not good for you,” he tried again, his patience hanging by a thread. “Just wait until the babies are born, okay? Then you can have as many as you want.”

“I get what you’re saying.” Charlotte kept her eyes on him, her pretty features all scrunched up as she shook her head. “But the babies say no way.”

Anthony nearly groaned out loud. She was going to be the death of him.

“You…” He just couldn’t handle her frown. After a quick back-and-forth, he sighed and handed over the last two bags. “One last time, okay? No more sneaking snacks, promise?”

Charlotte nodded right away, knowing she’d pushed her luck enough for one day. She was a doctor, after all. She knew she shouldn’t be eating too much junk right now.

“Feeling better now?” Anthony asked, and when he saw her satisfied grin, he couldn’t help reaching out to cup her cheek, his smile equal parts fond and helpless. He could only hope the twins wouldn’t be as much trouble as their mom. Because if they were…

Just the thought of it made his head ache.