“I want him to babysit when you go back to work. Grandma needs a break. Uncle Jarrett can do it for a while.”
Linda laughed behind her hand. “A break is a great idea, but your uncle can babysit from a paid room if he’s still here when your mom returns to work.”
“That’s no fun. He should stay with us. All my toys are here.”
Marissa tossed down her napkin as Linda and Jason bickered. Harold ate his sandwich, and though he kept out of the argument, she would bet every cent she had that he wanted to jump in. Jarrett leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, his arrogant smile revving her heart. How could he find this amusing?
“No, no, no!” Jason shook his head. “It’s Christmastime. I don’t want my uncle to be alone on Christmas morning without a tree in a crummy room.”
Silence hung so thick in the air that Marissa could’ve heard a bomb drop from two states over. She reached across the table to hold her son’s hand.
He jerked his arm back. Tears filled his eyes as he pleaded with Jarrett. “Christmas is in five days. Please stay with us.”
“Jason, I can’t stay here. It’s inappropriate.” He rested his hand on the red-faced boy’s shoulder. “I’ve been alone before. It’s no big deal.”
“But I’ll miss you.”
She clutched her hands together to keep from hugging her son. How could she have let this happen? She would love for Jason to build a relationship with his uncle, but the man wouldn’t put her son first. For so many years, she’d wished he would return. Talk about foolish. Why couldn’t he have stayed away? She forced air through her constricting throat and nodded at Jarrett.
His chest rose and fell in quick palpitations. He slumped in the chair. “Sure. What the hell? Acting appropriately has never suited me anyway.”
Jason perked up. “Really? You’ll stay with us?”
“Yes, for a short while.”
He squealed and jumped into Jarrett’s arms. “Best present ever.”
Marissa grabbed her plate and headed to the kitchen. How would she get through this? Better yet, how would she console her son when Jarrett left? Footsteps resounded softly behind her. The hair on her nape rose. She stuffed her plate in the trashcan and scowled at the source of her problems.
“I’m sorry. If staying here will be an inconvenience, I’ll tell Jason I can’t.”
“He’ll blame me.”
“No, I’ll say I have to go back to San Francisco for work or Montana for the ski trip. He’ll understand.”
She barked a laugh. “Have you lost your mind? He’ll scream and beg you to stay. Once you leave, he’ll cry for hours.”
“Marissa, what do you want from me? I can’t stay forever. I don’t want to hurt him—or you—I swear it, but I will leave. It’s only a matter of when, not if.”
She grasped the counter to keep steady. “I know that. Jason and I are not good enough reasons for you to give up the life you’ve built in California, and I would never ask it. I’ll understand when you go, but Jason won’t, not that it’s any of your concern. I’ll deal with his pain when the time comes.”
He cursed. “You sure know how to make a man feel like shit.”
“That’s not my intention.”
“Doesn’t change the facts.” He grabbed his phone from his pants pocket. “Am I staying here or not?”
If only she could toss him out on his ass. “You’re staying.”
“Okay. I’ll call my boss and let him know your address.”
“Fine. I’ll show you to the guestroom when you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Marissa. I appreciate it.”
She fisted her hands. “Thank Jason.”
With that, he left the kitchen.
