“Do you have a girlfriend?” I ask.
Casen shuffles in behind him. He’s doing much better with his crutches, but they still slow him down. He refuses to let me take him or pick him up from school anymore, but from the look of things, getting home from the bus stop is a chore. He makes it over to the couch and drops down onto it, backpack and shoes still on. When the crutches clatter to the floor, no one bats an eye. It’s a regular occurrence anymore.
“Sort of,” Quinn answers. “How do you know?”
“Seda saw you kissing a girl.”
Shit, the words are out before I can stop them. The last thing I want is to throw her under the bus, but it’s too late to backpedal now.
“Oh,” he breathes, his dark eyes going soft. “Is she… okay?”
Casen snorts, sprawled out like a starfish. “Probably not.”
I wince. Looks like they’re not oblivious to her crush.
“She came home crying. She’s upstairs right now.”
Quinn rubs his jaw. “Crap. I should probably go talk to her.”
I frown, stepping in front of him. “Do you think that’s best?”
Casen hauls himself up to one foot. “Nah, I’ll talk to her.”
Hands thrown up, I surrender to their discretion. “Do whatever you guys think is best.”
I leave them to work it out while I start dinner. Caleb’s in Boston, so we’re on our own. I’ve always fought the idea of becoming dependent on a man, and I like to think I’m still self-sufficient, but Imisshim when he’s not around. Being in love can be quite annoying in that way.
I’m halfway through making dinner when Seda comes downstairs without the boys.
“Hey, sweetie.” I blow an errant hair out of my eyes. “How are you feeling now?”
“Better.” She gives me a small smile. Though her eyes are puffy, her face is no longer blotchy.
“Do you want to stay with us for dinner?”
She pulls out one of the barstools and clambers up onto it. “What are you making?”
I peek into the oven, then straighten and turn to her. “Pork chops with mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls.”
With a shrug, she traces a line in the marble countertop. “Sounds good, sure. My dad is staying in Boston tonight.”
“Yeah, I know.” I turn my back to take the mashed potatoes out of the microwave and give them a good stir. No homemade potatoes here tonight. I don’t have time for that. When they’re fluffy, I set them on a potholder and face her again.
“Do you miss him?” She balances on her knees, elbow on the counter with her chin in her hand. She looks so much like her mother it actually stuns me for a moment.
I give her a soft smile. “Of course I miss him.”
“Good.”
I can’t help but laugh. “What would you do if I said I didn’t miss him?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “I’d tell him.”
A louder laugh escapes me. “You’re protective of your dad, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” she says easily. “He’s one of my favorite people.”
My chest warms at the sentiment. It’s incredible that, despite the unusual circumstances, Caleb, Salem, and Thayer have managed to come together to raise this spectacular child.
