Part One
One
Fifteen years ago…
Friday, May 15, 2009
“You hungry?” Stone Jameson asked his girlfriendas they walked into his mother’s bright and airy kitchen.
Stephanie Shepherd, whom everyone lovingly referred to as Stevie, had texted him as she was leaving school, just as she’d done every day since they started dating exclusively in July of last year. And just ashealways did, Stone shot back a message, asking her to come over.
It was a phenomenon he’d never experienced before, but he found if he went a few days without seeing her, he started jonesing like an addict seeking a fix. It was so intense sometimes that he figured he could likely find satisfaction by sitting across the street and staring at her from afar. Not that he’d resorted to stalking—that was insane—but he would admit he’d come damn close a few times.
He didn’t have to worry about that tonight because she was there. They didn’t have any formal plans, yet she’d come over anyway.
That was another surprising marvel about his relationship with Stevie: he didn’t even care if they spent the evening watching movies on the couch while his mom and dad stood over them. Spending time with her, being in the same room, smelling her sweet strawberries-and-cream scent, was enough for him.
And when the hell that had become a thing, he honestly didn’t know. Stone might’ve believed it was because Stevie was his first real girlfriend, but his lack of relationship—the sort that had a name and defined parameters—had always been his choice. Until her, he’d never had the desire to be monogamous, always worried he would find himself tied down and something better would come along. With Stevie, he didn’t worry about that. He was convinced there was no such thing as something better than her.
“I won’t say no to food,” she said, her stomach rumbling in agreement.
“Did you skip lunch again?” He smiled down at her, trying to sound stern.
“I had an orange,” she said succinctly, a hint of pride ringing in her tone.
He’d bet money that was all she’d had that day, too. “That’s not lunch, baby. That’s a snack.”
She smiled so sweetly he had to fight the urge to wrap her in his arms and kiss her to see if she tasted the same. He would have if his mother weren’t in the next room.
“Anything sound good?”
“I really hope you aren’t plannin’ to cook for that girl,” his mother called, her voice growing closer with each word.
Stone turned to see her coming into the kitchen, a wide grin on her face.
“Hi, Stevie,” she said, walking over and hugging Stone’s girlfriend as though she’d been a member of the family her whole life rather than only having been introduced a few short months ago.
“Hi, Mrs. Jameson.” Stevie hugged her back. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.”
Stone stared at his mother, trying to figure out what was different.Did she cut it? Dye it?He had no idea. She looked the same to him. As she always did. Like a mom.
Stevie fluffed imaginary hair near her cheek. “Very hot.”
His mother giggled.
She actually fucking giggled.
And were her cheeks turning pink?
Confused by what was happening, Stone said, “You don’t hugmeevery time I see you.”
“You got plenty of hugs growin’ up.” She laughed as she came around the island, her attention shifting to Stevie. “I fear for your health if you let this boy cook you anything.”
“Hey,” he said, feigning insult. “I can cook.”
“You can.” His mother nodded slowly. “Provided it comes in a can, and you can pour it in a bowl and pop it in the microwave.”
Stone winked at Stevie. “It counts.”
