It didn’t make sense that he was this upset over meeting a couple of kids who probably wouldn’t even like him. But inwardly, Duke felt they would like him. Felt that they’d like each other. The fact that he hadn’t been terrified at Vivi’s first mention of her boys said it all. He’d wanted to meet them. Get to know them. See what kind of humans a woman like Vivi Tripoli would raise.
If they were anything like their mom, they were bound to be smart, witty, and perceptive. They’d be fun to be around too. Easygoing and accepting.
His phone gave out a buzz, and Duke was quick to drop his stone back into his pocket, retrieve the device, and look at the screen. His shoulders slumped when he saw that it wasn’t from Viv.
Duke, it’s Sylvia. Wondering if you’re available to go out to dinner this week. We need to discuss some details about the upcoming gala.
Well, at least she wasn’t beating around the bush. Or trying to go through Grandma Lo this time. Duke poised his thumb over the screen and tapped out a reply.
Thanks, but I’d prefer we discuss any details over the phone instead.There. Polite and to the point. He hit send just as the slam of a distant car door caught his attention.
He ignored it. Duke hadn’t parked at the elementary school Vivi had indicated. Instead, he’d gone a few hundred feet down the street to the nearby junior high. They had a full-on baseball diamond there, complete with bleachers and all. It’s where he’d pictured taking them as he passed the school on his way to Viv’s each day.
Suddenly, a small voice carried over the stillness. “Right here?”
Duke glanced up in time to see two pint-sized boys in baseball gear running toward a massive tree. One carried a picnic basket, the other toted a gym bag.
“That’s perfect,” came another voice. Vivi’s. “You guys go ahead and set up the picnic,” she called as she headed toward the bleachers. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
We?
One of the boys lifted an arm and did a slow wave over his head. The other little guy followed suit while the pair squinted up at him.
Warmth pooled around his heart at the sight. Duke lifted a hand to return the gesture.Dang,they were cute.
He came to a stand as Vivi trailed up the bleachers in a white tee, cutoff shorts, and a pair of tennis shoes. She’d added to the ensemble since he’d seen her—a baseball cap that, in all fairness, she should be paid to wear. She made the Red Sox look better to him than they ever had before.
Duke held out his hand as she neared, steadied her as she gripped it and sank into place, then moved back into position with his elbows on his knees.
Viv assumed a similar position and sighed. Silence took over until she sighed once more. “I’m sorry,” she finally said. “You were right. I shouldn’t have tried lying to them. Or to ask you to lie about us either.” She hung her head, let out a humorless laugh. “I’m glad you didn’t go along with it. It was a stupid plan.”
Duke glanced at her over his shoulder, waiting until she lifted her chin and turned to meet his gaze.
“Yeah,” he said. “It was.”
She laughed, and Duke joined her. “I think…I don’t know for sure, but IthinkI was worried about them liking you more. And if that happened, and then things didn’t work out with us, they’d be stuck with this…consolation prize. They’d resent me for losing you somehow. And suddenly life wouldn’t be very fun with just me.”
He was struck then—hard at the center of his chest—with a sense of vulnerability he’d never seen in a woman. Never felt for himself. He nodded. “That makes sense,” he said in a whisper. “Vivi?”
She sniffed, wiped at her nose a bit, and looked at him with moisture in her eyes.
“I really want things to work out between us. I just…don’t picture my life without you in it.”
A tender-looking smile spread over her lips as she moved in and wrapped her arms around him. Warm, silky, and fragrant.
Duke breathed her in, loving the feel of her in his arms. “I think that’s why I’ve been anxious to meet your kids. They’re the biggest part of your life. And if we’re looking at having a life together, seems only right to include them.” Boy, did he mean it. The odd thing was, it didn’t feel like an obligational part of the process. It felt more like a privilege. One he wouldn’t take for granted.
“Do we get to meet him yet?” hollered a small voice from beneath the tree.
Duke glanced over. The kids had spread out a blanket, cracked open the basket, and placed sandwiches on paper plates in the shaded spot.
Viv bumped his shoulder. “You ready?” she asked.
A new wave of emotion crept in. Sheesh, he was becoming as sappy as the rest of his siblings. He nodded, giving into a wide grin as he puffed out his chest.
“Absolutely.”
“Oh,” Viv added as they headed down the bleachers. “I called my parents. They can watch the boys, so I can go to the gala with you.”
