Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 49239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Cam is giving the coffee maker a starry-eyed look when I walk into the kitchen early the next morning, sated from the goodbye sex Dom and I had before he left at five thirty for this road trip.
“Is there something I need to know about you and the coffee maker?” I quip.
“Oh, yes. We’re in a committed relationship now. This beauty has brought me more satisfaction than any man ever has.”
She strokes a hand over the shiny European machine, which has more bells and whistles than my van.
“It makes great coffee, but you need to get out more.”
“Just wait until we have to go back to our old Mr. Coffee. I didn’t realize how awful it was having grounds in your coffee until I met Eduard.”
She pronounces the name with a French flair, and I roll my eyes. “Eduard?”
“That’s my lover’s name. We’re very happy together. Registered at Target but obviously, we won’t be needing a coffee maker.”
“Hopefully you’re willing to share him.”
“Of course. Eduard is generous; drink away.”
I pour a cup and take a sip, leaning against the kitchen counter. “So, how are you? I haven’t gotten to talk to you much the last few days.”
“I’m okay. Counting down the days until the end of the semester.”
“Followed by one more semester and then graduation.” I cheer as I say the last word and she smiles.
“Finally. It feels like it’s taken forever. I’ll be interviewing for jobs in January. Can you believe that?”
“Of course I can. You’ll have law firms fighting over you.”
“Ha. We’ll see about that.”
I take the eggs out of the fridge and put them on the island. “Are you feeling okay about the Jake situation?”
“Sort of. I wish I knew if that was him looking at the boys yesterday. I’m worried he’s just biding his time, waiting to make another move. What would I do if Dom hadn’t done all of this to help?”
I get out a big mixing bowl to crack eggs into. “We would have managed.”
She looks away, concern etched into the lines on her forehead.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know.” She sighs softly. “I feel like I’m being selfish because I’m so happy you and Dom found each other, but...”
I wait, but she doesn’t continue. “What?”
“I just...don’t think I can afford life on my own. At least not until I graduate and get a job.”
Why didn’t I think about this? Cam’s worried I’m going to take my kids and move in with Dom, leaving her and my nephews to fend for themselves. It’s a little offensive because I’d never do that, but also...this thing with Dom came out of nowhere, so I can see why she’s unnerved about it.
“We’re only here until the Jake thing gets settled. Then we’re going back home. All of us, together. The six of us are a family and that’s never going to change.”
“Tess...”
“Dom and I can still be together, but it’ll be with him living here and us living at our house.”
She nods. “That’s a relief, at least until I graduate. Then I want you to make decisions that are just for you and your kids.”
I shake my head adamantly. “No, we’re in this together. I’m not leaving you and you’re not leaving me.”
Her smile is tinged with sadness. “We’ll always be sisters, but we can’t live together forever. I couldn’t have gotten through school without your help, and I’ll forever be grateful to you for that. But Dom...he’s the real deal. He loves you. Don’t be too stubborn to open your heart to him.”
I gesture around at the kitchen. “Are you kidding? Look at me. I’m standing here in his kitchen wearing his jersey. I told him I loved him, too. I’ve opened my heart and everything else to him.”
“You know what I mean. When the time comes...”
I put up a hand, cutting her off. “We just started dating. That’s so far away.”
“I don’t know.” She gives me a knowing smile. “I don’t think either of you will like you moving back to the other house.”
I bristle, her words hitting close to home. “I mean, this house is nicer. The coffee is better, as you and Eduard know. But I’m not the kind of woman who moves in with a man that fast.”
“You’ll know what to do when the time is right.”
I start cracking eggs into the bowl. “Thanks for the fortune cookie wisdom.”
Sam wanders into the kitchen, his light-brown hair sticking up in all directions. He still looks half-asleep.
“Is it a school day, Mom?”
Cam brushes a hand over his hair. “Yes, baby. But you’re up early. You can go back to bed for a little bit if you want.”
“Okay. Don’t let Tate eat all the bacon.”
She watches him pad across the kitchen, her palm on her chest. “You know, if my boys end up being the loves of my life, I’m more than okay with that.”