âIâm starving.
Sheldon, do you feel hungry?â she enquired.
The little boy nodded, then shook his head.
Karina began to tease him.
âYouâre nodding and shaking your head.
Little man, are you hungry or not?â
Sheldon thought for a moment and then said in his childish voice, âI can wait.
â
Karina chuckled, pinching his soft cheek, and asked, âYouâre so adorable.
Do you want to sleep with me tonight?â
Sheldon shook his head, quite firm this time.
âCome on, young man.
You should be nodding,â Karina teasingly said.
âWhy?â Sheldon inquired.
âThink about it.
Your mom and dad finally got a chance to relax.
Do you want to be their third wheel tonight?â Karina explained, her tone both teasing and conspiratorial.
Tildaâs face flushed at Karinaâs words.
âKarina!â she protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
Karina waved off Tildaâs concern, her eyes still Locked on Sheldonâs face.
âAm I right?â she asked, her voice playful.
âThat makes sense,â Sheldon said with a blink of his large eyes.
âBut if I sleep with you, what will happen to Mr.
Tucker?â
At the mention of Barlow, Karina pouted.
âHim? Let him fend for himself.
I didnât plan on sharing a room with him anyway.
â
Barlow, standing nearby, was at a loss for words.
He had come to terms with his fate: among all the men here, he was the most beleaguered, constantly teased by his beloved.
Barlow bent down, picked up Sheldon, and handed him to Lyndon.
âTake your little one back,â he said with a wry smile.
Lyndon raised an eyebrow, taking Sheldon into his arms.
Barlow then turned, took Karinaâs hand, and smiled.
âDonât be Like this, Karina, or youâll regret it,â he warned gently.
âReally?â Karina responded, raising an eyebrow and trying to pull her hand away.
But Barlow didnât let go.
Instead, he leaned in closer and said, âTrust me.
Iâll tell you a secret tonight when weâre alone.
â
Karina met his gaze, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
He was going to reveal a secret tonight?