"Yes, there are lots of them everywhere," I joke, but I know where this is going.
It’s not my secret to tell. I'm happy that Aurora feels that I'm a safe person for her to talk to about these things, and a first crush is a big one. Though this is Cheerful, which means it could be her one and only crush.
"Did you know this party is going to have them?" Kellan is talking as though boys are the plague all while holding one cuddled close in his arms.
"They're in high school. Of course there are going to be boys there." Aurora and I might have omitted that detail, but he must have overheard a conversation.
"She's got her eye on one in particular. Do you think this is why she wanted to move here so badly?"
"Aurora has a lot of friends here,” I say as I smile at him sweetly. I’m sure it didn’t hurt her decision-making, but I’m not going to tell Kellan that.
"He's a senior." He says it like an accusation.
"They are two years apart,” I say, trying to calm him down.
"You know!"
Crap, I walked into that one. Kellan's eyes narrow on me in the mirror, and I watch his whole demeanor change. I'm in trouble, and it’s the best kind. One that I will thoroughly enjoy once I get these kids out of the house.
There have been a lot of changes over the years, but our sexual appetite is not one of them. I can never get enough of my man, and I love that I’m the only woman who will ever have him in that way.
I turn to face him as I try to gently talk him through this. "He's a good kid, Kellan. This is a small town, and if he wasn't a good kid, we'd know. Everyone would."
He's more than a good kid. He’s graduating top of his class and already has a future planned out. He’s taking over his dad’s snowplowing business that keeps growing by the day. They don't only do Cheerful but they plow all the towns around here and the highways. I won't be shocked if they have to open more locations soon.
"This explains so much," Kellan mutters. "He's always nice to me and makes small talk before plowing the road up to our house. He’s making sure he can get to Aurora."
"Kellan," I laugh. "It's going to be okay. We’ve done a good job of raising Aurora. If anything, you should feel sorry for the boy. You've set the bar incredibly high."
"You're right,” he says and nods to himself. “I should buy her a Porsche and a pony."
"You better not," I say through laughter.
"You're right. She's too old for a pony. A horse."
I steal our son out of his arms and shake my head. It snows almost year-round here. Neither of those things are practical in Cheerful.
"Hey, I need him. He's my emotional support baby right now."
"Kiss me," I order before tilting my head back.
His whole face softens, and he leans down, pressing his mouth to mine. The kiss starts to grow more heated before he quickly pulls back.
"We need to get these kids out of here," he says before smiling at our son.
I love that a kiss from me can fix so much for Kellan.
As if on cue, the chime for the front door opening rings, letting us know my parents are here. We head downstairs, where my dad already has our other son in his arms. My mom kisses Kellan on the cheek and then me before stealing the baby out of my hands in the process.
"You look beautiful," Mom tells me.
"I'm in a robe." I haven't put on my dress yet. I didn't want Kellan to rip it.
"You're glowing."
"Mom, I'm not pregnant."
"But you could be," she says, her tone hopeful.
