Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I’m going to make him hate me,” I whisper. “I don’t want that.”
“If no skiing is all it takes, well, that seems pretty silly to me. He’ll be mad, but he will get over it.”
I lean my head on his shoulder. It’s the only physical connection between us. “I also need to apologize for being a raging bitch and throwing the whole not being his dad thing in your face.”
“That stung,” he admits but kisses my head. “I’m not trying to be his dad.”
“I know. And I’m ashamed that I said that. You didn’t deserve it.”
“I guess today was part of the learning curve.” He kisses my hair again, then moves his arm, urging me to back up so he can wrap his arms around me and hug me close. “There are going to be moments like this because it’s new territory for both of us.”
“You didn’t leave,” I whisper.
“I couldn’t go,” he replies softly. “But I couldn’t stay. What am I going to do with you, Wills?”
I smile. “I guess this. This was the right thing. I promise to keep the bitch reeled in.”
“You’re a mama bear, not a bitch,” he reminds me. “Speaking of, you should go check on him.”
“Will you stay? For dinner?”
“You check on him, I’ll cook.”
I raise my brows. “There’s a lasagna in the fridge. All you have to do is pop it in the oven.”
“Thank Christ.”
***
“It was so fun,” Alex says for the fortieth time this evening. Rocky is at his feet, begging for a piece of Alex’s garlic bread.
Mom brought the puppy home about an hour ago while the lasagna was cooking. I think she wanted to check in and make sure I hadn’t killed Max with my bare hands.
Smart woman.
“Yes, I hear you had a lot of fun today. Which is good because you’re about to lose some privileges.”
“Oh, man.”
“You earned it,” I remind him sternly. “Now, go wash your hands and then take Rocky out one last time before bed.”
“Can Max tuck me in tonight?” Alex asks, surprising me. From the look on Max’s face, it surprised him, too.
“If he doesn’t mind.”
“Do as your mom asks, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Awesome.” Alex runs off to the bathroom to wash his hands and brush his teeth, Rocky right on his heels. Getting the dog was the right decision. That pup is Alex’s shadow and his best friend.
It’s a good thing I can’t take the dog away. I’m mad enough to consider it.
“C’mon, Rocky,” Alex says, leading the dog to the back door. “Time to go potty.”
“I need a vacation,” I mutter as I set the last plate in the dishwasher.
“Where do you want to go?” Max asks, stepping to me and rubbing my shoulders from behind.
“I need to be careful what I say to you. You’re rich enough to take me anywhere.”
“So? Where would you go?”
I grin and lean back into him. “Are you afraid I’m with you for your money?”
“Horrified.” His voice is as dry as the desert wind. “Answer the question.”
“Somewhere warm,” I reply with a sigh. “I miss the sunshine. I would sit by the pool with a frosty drink and a book.”
“That’s it? That’s your fantasy?”
“Hey, it’s a damn good fantasy,” I reply with a laugh. “Throw in a massage and maybe a facial, and I’d be in heaven.”
“Max! I’m in bed!”
“I guess you have a job to do,” I say and turn around to wrap my arms around his neck, then press my face to his throat and hold on tight, just for a minute. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Staying.”
He squeezes me tight and then lets go to walk into Alex’s room. I start the dishwasher, wipe down the countertops, and then decide, screw it, and creep down the hall to listen to the conversation going on in my boy’s room.
“I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble,” Alex says quietly.
“Are you sure about that? What did you think would happen when your mom found out where we went today?”
“I don’t know,” Alex replies. “I guess I didn’t think about it because I was too excited.”
“You have to think things through, Alex. There are always consequences, and you knew that your mom would have said no if we’d asked.”
“Yeah,” Alex agrees. “I’m sorry that she yelled at you.”
“Well, it probably won’t be the last time,” Max says, making me smile.
“Really? Why would you stick around if someone is gonna yell at you all the time?”
“I didn’t say it would happen all the time,” Max says, a chuckle in his voice. “But from time to time, there will be arguments. That’s just the way it is when you love someone. You and your mom argue, right?”
I’m stuck like stupid on “love someone.”
“Yeah, we argue.”
“But you still want to be around her, right?”
“Well, sure. She’s my mom, and she’s the best ever.”