Page 52 of Take My Kiss
“And Lily?”
Amelia cuts her up before letting her take a bite. She inhales it within seconds.
“Safe to say she’s a fan,” Amelia says with as much amusement as one would be about getting a prostate exam.
“What ’bout you? Do you want some?” I grin, hoping she’ll try it. “Or I’d be more than happy to make you somethin’ else.”
“No, thanks. I’m perfectly capable of makin’ my own.” I know she’s trying to make a point in not relying on me, but she’s being too damn adorable while attempting it.
“Mom,” Sam says around a mouthful, muffling his words. “It’s really good!”
“Where’re your manners?” She hands him a napkin when the hollandaise sauce drips down his chin. “And did y’all thank him?”
“Thank you, Colt!”
“You are most welcome, buddy.” I ruffle his hair that hasn’t been brushed.
I go back into the kitchen and fill two mugs with coffee, then add sugar and cream. Amelia prefers tea, but her snarky mood implies she needs a bit more caffeine this morning.
“Here.” I set it down in front of her before sitting at the table with my own plate. “Blow on it first.”
She swallows, glancing down at the mug. “Thanks.”
“So what’s on the agenda today?” I ask, mostly to Sam.
“Can we do somethin’ out of the house?”
“Depends, what do you wanna do?”
I can’t blame him for getting cabin fever, especially in the middle of summer.
“I dunno…anythin’.” His little shoulder lifts.
Glancing at Amelia, she frowns. I can only assume how she’s feeling about not being able to take them out or do things with them while we wait for an update. It’s officially been a week, and they don’t seem any closer to finding out who this person is than before.
Selfishly, I want it to take a few more weeks so I can spend more time with them.
“What ’bout a drive-in movie?” I offer since it’s still an outside activity, but it keeps them safe in the truck with us.
“What’s that?”
“It’s where you get to watch a movie from your vehicle, except we’d take my truck and cuddle up in the back with blankets and pillows.”
“Like a slumber party?” he asks excitedly.
“Kinda, except we don’t fall asleep when it gets dark. But we can get snacks, popcorn, and drinks. It’s really fun.”
“Mom, can we?” Sam beams with wide eyes.
I almost apologize for not running it past her first, but she doesn’t seem upset.
“That sounds perfect,” she says, shifting her gaze to mine briefly before looking back at Lily.
Even if I never win her over, I’ll be happy we met and got this time together, especially with her kids. I have a feeling she doesn’t get this much free time with them, and although she seems to be enjoying it, I know there’s that lingering fear that’s keeping her from dropping her guard completely.
Once we finish eating, I bring the dishes into the kitchen and am surprised when Amelia walks in next to me.
“Are you upset I?—”
