“How about we eat dinner now and then, after, maybe you and Brodie can do some more of your LEGO? But you’ll have to go to bed on time because you have school tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He disentangled himself and went back into the living room. The fact he didn’t fight her told her how much seeing her and Brodie kissing had affected him. Even with her saying that nothing was going to happen with his current living arrangement, he must still be struggling to believe her.
Brodie held out his hand. She placed hers in it and, with a slight tug, she was back on her feet. “It’s going to take a while to make him understand, isn’t it?”
How was he able to see and understand so much? Every little thing he did reinforced in her mind that Brodie was a good man. The type of man she could imagine a future with.
“Yeah, and I don’t know what I can say that will make a difference. I guess I’ll have to keep repeating myself. I can’t tellhim that I’m going to try and adopt him, because it may not happen, and then he’ll be even more devastated.”
Brodie nodded and he sucked in his cheeks as if thinking over the problem and coming up with the same conclusion as she had. “We’ll just have to make sure Finn understands that as our relationship progresses, it will be status quo with his living arrangements.”
“Easier said than done.”
Brodie dropped a kiss on her forehead. It was the sweetest gesture. “I have complete faith in you, Sparkles. Somehow, someway, you’ll make this happen.”
“I hope so. But Brodie?”
“Yeah.”
“If you’re going to help me with this, I won’t deceive Daphne or Gordon, my lawyer. I’m going to tell them that we’ve started dating and you want to be involved with the process. It may help us or it may be a hindrance. I just wanted you to know where I stand on this, in case, you know, this changes your thoughts in any way.”
“I’m not going to change my mind. We’re in this together and I don’t have a problem with you being truthful about our status. I think that’s the best way to move forward. If we’re dishonest about it, it’s going to bite us in the ass. I won’t jeopardize your chances to adopt Finn. We’ll take it one day at time.”
Having him support her was wonderful, but at the same time, she wondered if it was too much of a risk, and if it would be better if they didn’t date. Yet, the thought of not seeing Brodie was something she didn’t want to examine too closely.
“Come on, let’s eat. I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”
In response her stomach growled and they both laughed, easing the tension that had fallen over them. They grabbed up their plates and headed for the living room. Brodie’s kiss, hiswords, and what they were about to embark on was never far from her mind as she went through the motions of eating.
The television played in the background, but her focus was how perfect the evening was. Her, Brodie and Finn eating dinner together. God, she wanted this so much. But she couldn’t get her hopes up because whenever she did, she was always let down.
“Brodie, are you finished eating? Can we do some of the LEGO?” Finn’s voice sounded from the doorway. Lost in her thoughts she hadn’t seen Finn leave the room.
“Sure am, buddy. Let me go wash my hands. Have you washed yours? You don’t want to get the pieces all sticky.”
“Nope. I haven’t.”
“Let me take my plate to the kitchen and then we’ll go wash our hands together.”
“Okay. Cerise, can I take your plate?” Finn asked, acting so mature and considerate her eyes welled up. He really was an amazing little boy.
“That would be wonderful. Thanks, Finn.”
He grinned happily and took her plate. Cerise rested her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. Tomorrow she would contact Daphne and let her know of the change in her relationship status. She hoped the caseworker would believe that it wasn’t just to help with her application, and that she really did like Brodie and wanted to pursue a relationship with him for herself and not for Finn.
And she did. Very much so. She wanted Brodie more than she’d ever wanted a man in her life.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
If Cerise squeezedhis hand any tighter, she was going to cut off circulation to his fingertips. They were about to meet with Daphne and Gordon to talk about her adoption application. “We’ve got this, Sparkles.”
“I hope so.” She looked up at him. He couldn’t see what her eyes were doing behind her, but he would bet worry shone brightly in them. Her cheeks were glitter free, but she was wearing the sparkly gloss again, along with glitter eyeshadow. He was beginning to wonder if the glitter was some sort of armor. Something she put on when she needed an extra boost of confidence.
“We’ll handle whatever we get thrown at us. We’ve gone over everything the last four days since we decided to go public. You’ve told me what Gordon told you at your initial meeting. Whatever happens, we’ll make sure that Finn’s best interests are put forward, together. I mean, the fact Poppy is constantly handing him back would have to go against her.”
“You’d think so, but in adoption cases, blood is thicker than water.”
“Even if it’s at the detriment of Finn’s mental health and well-being?”
