Page 23 of Take My Kiss
“Can I see ’em?” Sam asks, surprisingly devouring his taco. “Wilder lets me ride with him.”
“Only once in a while,” I clarify, then add, “And only when I’m ’round to watch.”
“Mom’s protective,” Sam drawls, then rolls his eyes when he thinks I’m not looking.
“All good moms are, buddy.” Colton shoots him a wink. “And if we go, she can come with us.”
Sam sighs. “Okay, fine.”
“Wow, thanks,” I deadpan, trying hard not to laugh at Sam’s bored expression.
Less than an hour with Colton and he’s already plotting ways to do things without me. I’ve officially been replaced.
“You should eat,” Colton sets a plate of pasta on the coffee table in front of me. “I warmed it up while you were puttin’ the kids to bed.”
My eyes lift to his blue ones staring into mine and daring me to argue. Considering I skipped lunch too, I don’t.
“Thank you,” I say softly, setting my paperback aside. Remy’s been glued to my side all night and lifts his head slightlywhen I move to grab the plate, then puts it back next to me when I lean against the sofa.
After the kids ate their lunch, I put Lily down for her nap, then unpacked and organized my things in the bathroom. Sam continued following Colton around the house, even when he sat at his desk. Sam brought in his iPad and sat on the futon with Remy. I tried getting him to leave so Colton could work in peace, but he reassured me he didn’t mind having him in there.
When it was time for dinner, Lily sat in the booster seat Bellamy delivered, but I didn’t have much of an appetite. Once they finished eating, I got the kids bathed and ready for bed, then sat on the couch to read with my nighttime tea.
“This is really good,” I say around a mouthful.
“Glad you like it. Kids seemed to as well.”
They did. Sam picked out the chicken, but Lily ate like a champ.
“Do you want any of your own? Kids, I mean. You seem good with them.”
Colton sits in the chair next to me and crosses a leg over his knee. “Yeah, I’d love to have some, if it’s in the cards for me. I only became an uncle last year, but it’s pretty cool. I’m excited for Warren and Maisie’s baby to arrive.”
“When’s she due?”
“In a couple months. Mid-August, I think.”
“Oof, pregnant all summer. That’s brutal.”
“Luckily, she works from home and can crank the A/C as high as she wants.”
Leaning over my plate, I twirl my fork in the fettuccine, but wince when a muscle in my back stings.
“You okay?” He sits up, studying me.
“I slept funny last night, well, the few hours I got, and pinched somethin’.”
“You need a massage.”
My gaze shifts to his, wondering if he’s offering or informing. “No, I’ll be?—”
“I’ll book you one. We have professionals here.”
“Oh…okay.” I haven’t had one in years. “If it’s not any trouble.”
“It’s not.” He pulls out his phone and then sends a text to someone.
Once I finish my food, I bring the empty plate to the sink and rinse it. He already started the dishwasher, so I leave it.
