Page 74 of Yearner

Allison sat on the sofa with her coffee in hand, watching her husband and son face off in the middle of the living room. After another moment of their heated standoff, she slowly lowered her cup to the table.

Here we go again.

“Your mother is coming to Japan with me,” Silas announced, adjusting the cuff of his expensive watch as though he were discussing an important business decision rather than fighting with his own child. “I have meetings scheduled there, and I refuse to spend an entire week away from my wife.”

Ryder scoffed. “I'm taking Mommy to Switzerland. We already planned it!”

Silas turned his attention to him. “You planned it with whom?”

“With Mommy!”

“Without consulting me?”

Ryder's brows drew together. “Why do I need to consult you? She's my mother.”

“And she's my wife.”

“So?”

For a moment, Silas simply stared at his son, seemingly at a loss for words. Allison pressed her lips together, struggling to contain her laughter. She had known these two shared the same stubborn streak, but watching them argue over her attention never failed to leave her wondering how she had ended up with two people who could turn the smallest disagreement into a full-scale battle.

The argument had started that morning when Ryder proudly announced that he had packed his suitcase for their upcoming holiday in Switzerland. He had spent weeks talking about the mountains, the snow, and all the things he wanted to do with his mother. Allison had promised to take him, and he had been counting down the days ever since.

Unfortunately, Silas had made plans of his own.

His business trip to Japan fell during the same week, and he had already decided that Allison would accompany him. He had arranged their flights and booked a luxurious hotel, assuming there was no reason for his wife to refuse. It had never occurred to him that his eight-year-old son might have a different opinion.

“I asked Mommy first,” Ryder insisted, turning toward Allison with an expectant look. “Tell Daddy you're coming with me.”

Silas immediately followed his son's gaze, his expression leaving little doubt that he expected her to support him instead.

“Allison, tell our son that you're coming to Japan with me.”

She looked from one to the other, finding herself caught between two pairs of dark eyes that carried the same stubborn determination. Neither appeared willing to accept an answer that didn't suit him, and she had a sinking feeling that she was about to regret getting involved.

“Boys—”

“I'm not a boy,” Silas interrupted.

Ryder snorted. “You are when you're acting like one.”

Allison nearly choked on her coffee. She quickly set the cup down before she spilled it, but that did nothing to stop the laughter bubbling up inside her.

Silas slowly turned his head toward their son. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“You said something.”

“I said you're acting like a boy.”

“I heard you the first time.”

“Then why did you ask?”

Allison covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to hold back another laugh. Silas shot her an accusing look, clearly unimpressed.

“You're enjoying this far too much,” he muttered.