“You could have just asked for another dog.” Being a parent has never been in my thoughts before. My only parental figure is gone, and I could never hope to be half the man he was.
“This is better.”
I initiate the kiss this time, unfurling Lake’s legs so I can move him closer. “I’ll be going to talk to his social worker once I drop him off at school, to see about organising his new foster placement. I can talk to her about what steps we would need to take. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to move him in straightaway. I don’t know how it works. Might be best to ask him first too.” Grasping his chin ensures that he’s looking at me and listening. “Don’t get your hopes up, and don’t mention anything to him right now. I need to check whether this is possible, first.”
“There’s no reason why it wouldn’t be, is there?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “Just… let me figure it out first, okay?”
“Okay.” The total trust in his voice gives me no choice but to drag him close for another kiss. The way he looks at me is intoxicating, like he’s so sure I’ll heal any of his hurts, fix any of his problems. I’m not the man he sees when he looks at me, but damn, he makes me want to be.
A clearing of a throat behind us is the only reason I stop at all. Lake’s mouth is too enticing, too hard to pull away from. Having someone else permanently in the house will be an adjustment.
Riley is standing in the doorway, his ratty school bag hanging off one shoulder, and an even worse expression on his face than he had when he left the room earlier. “Are we going?” he asks. More muttering than actual speech.
“Depends, is the attitude coming with us?” Sitting in a car with that for half an hour should be a fun experience.
“What do you care? Once you drop me off at school, it’s not your problem anymore.”
At least I can see where the attitude is coming from. “Lake made you lunch.”
Riley looks at the container that Lake packed with a sandwich, fruit, a chocolate bar, and some wrapped-up pancakes.
“I tried to veto the pancakes, but he didn’t listen.”
“Pancakes are an all-the-time food,” Lake says, waving at me. He drops down onto the floor and grabs the lunch. “Here. It won’t spill. Do you have a drink bottle? I think we have some here.”
“I’m fine,” Riley says stiffly. He takes the food from Lake like it’s about to bite him.
Lake checks the time on his watch and then disappears into the pantry. “Just one sec. I’m pretty sure—aha! Found one.” He comes out with a yellow drink bottle that’s still wrapped up. “Don’t ask me why I bought it, or even when, but as you can see, totally unused. No one else’s germs to worry about. Let me rinse it and then fill it up.”
Riley shuffles awkwardly on his feet, his scowl still firmly in place. But he puts the lunch and the now-full drink bottle into his bag, so I don’t mention it.
“Ready?”
“I was already ready.”
Fucking save me from this car ride.
Chapter eighteen
Lake
“Whatdoyouthink?Blue or orange?”
Hades tilts his head, tongue hanging out the side. He licks the blue square cloth. I nod in agreement. “Excellent choice. You’re so fashionable. Do you want a suit for the wedding? I’ll ask about it when I get fitted for mine.” He’d look dashing in one, with a bow of course. “You’d want a bow, right?” A small yip is my answer. Definitely a yes on the bow.
He lies down on the couch, rests his head on my thigh, and stares up at me. Probably wants a treat. He can have one in a second.
“I think white for the napkins and other table stuff. It goes well with blue.”
He blinks, which I’m taking as a yes. He’s such a great helper.
“That’s all the tableware.” I’ll check everything over with Grady, but everything is starting to take shape, thanks to the help from Jayden. He’s a lifesaver. We should get him a gift. Wine. Cheese. Wineandcheese. Grady will definitely know a good wine, and I know all about cheese. Match made in heaven.
Speaking of the love of my life, was that his car?
Hades’ ears perk up. He gives a single bark and then scrambles off the couch, bounding out of the room and towards the front door.
