Page 74 of Forbidden Dreams
"Mrs. Sterling invited you to come next time."
She pursed her lips. "Did she now?"
Emery opened the box, revealing turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. "She was happy that I was there and asked about school."
Maria acted more like a mother should than our own did.
"Maybe you should be eating dinner here and not at the Sterlings," Mom chided.
"There's nothing wrong with adding more people to your tribe," Emery said easily.
She was always better with Mom, seamlessly maneuvering her where she wanted her to go.
I grabbed a plate for Emery so she could dish out the leftovers. Then I made coffee, and we sat at the table, eating a second slice of pie while Mom ate the Thanksgiving feast.
"This is good," Mom said.
I sighed. "The Sterlings are good people. They've always been there for me, and I'd like you to meet them."
Mom was quiet for a few seconds, and then she said, "Okay."
I let out the breath I'd been holding. Maybe this could work. We could forge a new future for our family, along with the Sterlings.
Chapter 19
Aspen
Yesterday I spend the day double-checking the plans for the parade. It was the second year for it, so Eve had a few notes about how to improve it this year. But otherwise, I followed her notes from last year.
I couldn't stop thinking about how sweet Cooper was with his sister. How he'd been so protective, almost like a father to her. I had no idea he was paying for her tuition and necessities. I was surprised, but maybe I shouldn't be. He'd been showing me all along who he was, someone who protected those he loved.
I just wondered if I could be counted in that protective circle or if it was just his family. He'd grown up in a volatile situation and needed to step into that role. It made me look at him in a different way.
It was difficult to concentrate on work when he was all I could think about. I couldn't ignore the fact that I was falling in love with him, and the way he treated his sister was a huge push in that direction.
But I had to put everything aside because today was the parade, and I only got one shot at getting this right. Everything had to run smoothly because Eve was attending the event with Maddox and his daughter, Sofia.
I grabbed my clipboard and earpiece and headed outside. I touched base with the judges who'd be rating the performers, and then I talked to the parking attendants. There was a toy drive in the town hall that the fire department had offered to manage this year.
Everything was set up and ready to go. The crowd was filling in along the parade route, people reserving their seats with lawn chairs. I stood just off the grandstand, trying to relax before I gave the word for the first group to start walking.
I walked past an alley, and Cooper grabbed my arm, pulling me deeper into the space. He leaned against the wall, his legs spread so that I could step between them. A smile played on his lips, and I reached up to brush the dark hair off his forehead.
"What are you doing here?" I hadn't expected to see him since he usually avoided crowds and events like this.
He gazed down at me with affection in his eyes. "I wanted to say good luck before I go to work."
I rested my hand on his chest. "You're working on the bathrooms today?"
"I have a crew today, so it won't be just me."
Was that warning not to sneak in, expecting some sexy times? "When can we be alone again?"
His lips quirked. "Not today."
I rolled my eyes. "Tonight?"
He lowered his voice. "I'll text you when I'm heading home. Not sure when you can get out of here."
