Page 58 of Take My Kiss
“No, but what if it gets ’round to your family or the town? That’s gonna be awkward to explain.” I frown, pacing in front of him.
“Then I guess we get married for real. Problem solved.”
My feet halt. “I take back what I said ’bout you being perfect, ’cause you’re outta your damn mind if you think that solves everythin’.”
He grins cheekily. “I was jokin’.”
I glare, causing him to laugh.
“I hate that I wanna impress her. And I hate that it matters to me when it shouldn’t. She didn’t want a daughter. Why am I even considerin’ this? It’s not like either of them would visit me on my deathbed. She didn’t search for me until she wanted somethin’ from me. God, I’m?—”
“Amelia.” Colton’s soft tone echoes in my ear before he grabs my shoulders and tilts my chin to look at him. “You’re allowed to care. If it’ll help the process of facin’ her again, then it doesn’t matter if you aren’t being a hundred percent truthful. If you never wanna see her again after this, you don’t have to. Block her number. Change yours. You owe her nothin’.”
“Except I do.” I relax in his hold, wishing I could feel his warmth against me to settle my nerves. “She wasn’t always this selfish and horrible. Not the best mom, but our relationship got worse after my older brother died.”
“You have a brother?”
I nod, lowering my eyes. “He died ’cause of me, and they never forgave me.”
And I can’t blame them for it, but that doesn’t mean I deserved what they did to me either.
“Whaddya mean?”
“You really wanna have this conversation now? The kids are gonna be up any minute, and they’re gonna want breakfast.”
“We can talk later, if you’re up for it.” He squeezes my arm. “And you don’t gotta make any plans right this second. You can think about it.”
Lily walks in moments later with Benny and her blanket. I scoop her up, kissing her cheeks and rubbing my nose against hers.
The thought of letting my mother meet her makes me want to throw up with anxiety. But if I show up without my kids, she’ll comment on how I’m keeping them from meeting their grandchildren, especially with my father being sick, and how inconsiderate I am.
“Did you sleep okay?” I ask, rubbing circles over her back.
She nods, nuzzling her face in my shoulder.
I set her down so she can say good morning to Colton. He easily scoops her up, and she hugs him. My heart explodes at how good he is with her and how much she adores him.
Would it really be that bad to pretend we were married? The kids wouldn’t know any different considering we’re living here.
“Is your brother awake?” I ask once he sets her down.
“He go bye-bye.”
“What?” I blurt, snapping my head toward the hallway.
I don’t wait for her response before rushing to their room and finding the bed empty.
“Sam!” I shout, going to the bathroom next.
He’s not there either.
“Sam!” I scream louder, sprinting to the office.
“He’s gone!” I tell Colton when he approaches.
“He’s gotta be here somewhere,” Colton says calmly, walking toward the main bedroom. “Sam, buddy. Where’re you?”
The living room is also vacant.
