Page 69 of Reckless Kisses
His expression of shock intensified.
I felt guilty, but only for a split second.I could always hang out with Finn, but I wanted to surprise Amy tonight.
Fortunately, between the three of us, we finished the shed quickly.
“All right, I’m going to leave.I’ll just go inside to tell Mom bye.”
Finn was staying to help Dad with the cleanup, and he eyed me suspiciously.
“Why are you in such a rush?What are you doing?”he asked.
“That’s my business.”
Finn blinked—rightfully so, as we never kept secrets from each other.“Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” I teased as I headed inside the house.
Mom was sitting on the couch with a bowlful of popcorn.The house smelled like butter.
“We’re all done, Mom.I’m leaving.”
“Already?I can’t wait to see it.You’re such good boys to help your dad out.”
“Not a problem.”
“You know, I do have real food for dinner, not just pie and popcorn.”
“I already stuffed my face with three pieces of pie.It was more than enough for dinner.”She put the popcorn bowl to one side, but I said, “Don’t bother.”I motioned for her to stay there and leaned over to kiss her cheek.“Just wanted to tell you that I’m going.”I straightened up when she let out a sigh.“You okay?”I asked her.
She nodded.“Yes, I just...I can’t believe how everything is turning out.”She looked over her shoulder and then lowered her voice.“I thought it would be a challenge to get used to living with your dad again, but it isn’t.Things are just...working.”She sounded incredulous.
“I’m glad for you, Mom.I really am.”
“By the way, I was thinking of hosting a pizza party this weekend.Your dad found a miniature pizza oven online that we want to buy.”
I cleared my throat.“Sounds good.I won’t be here, though.”
“Are you going away on a business trip?”
Dad was going to share things with her anyway, so I just fessed up.“Nah.I offered to be a chaperone on Amy’s school trip.”
Mom stopped in mid-reach for more popcorn.“Okay.How come?”
“I gave a talk to some of her students, and they liked me a lot.”
“That’s a lovely thing, Knox.Amy’s a darling, isn’t she?I really like her.”
“So do I.That’s why we’ve stayed friends all these years.”
“Say hi to her for me.”
I blinked.How did she know I planned to drop by?I cleared my throat.
“When you see her on the camping trip,” Mom added.Once again, she sounded amused.
“Will do.Anything else you need, just let me know, okay?”I told her.
“Will do, will do.”She distractedly glanced at the TV again.
