In a couple of days, my house becomesours.
Our house.
And I’m so fucking nervous I almost laugh at myself.
I’ve negotiated multi-million-dollar developments.Sat across from men who’d sell their own mothers for a profit.
And I’m pacing my kitchen like a teenager before prom.
Because the truth is as crazy as I am about his mother, I like the kid too.And I want him to like me.
Kelly’s done a hell of a job with him.
You can see it in the way he protects her.In the way he feels everything full throttle.
That’s all her.All Kelly McCrae with the big blue eyes and bog soft heart.
My Honey’s got feelings so big they could envelop the whole world.The woman is pure gold.Believe me, I know.
The smell of metal getting hot makes my nose itch, and I blink, refocusing on what I’m doing.
“Shit,” I mutter, yanking the pasta arm back over the pot before it starts to burn.
I’m making so much noise, I don’t hear the door open.
“Dad?You in here?”Maddox calls from the entryway.
Good.
The little shit is early.And I could use the help.
“Dad!”he says, strolling into the kitchen with his current girlfriend tucked against his side.
I glance up a smile on my face for my boy.Doesn’t matter how old he is, he will always be my boy.
“Yeah, Mads.I’m in here.”
I hear his footsteps and another pair accompanying them.Now, I admit I was nervous about him bringing company tonight.Thought it might be a lot for Kelly and Evan.
But that’s not fair to Maddox.Besides, like I keep telling myself, he’s grown.Works his ass off at the company.Pays his own damn taxes.And he’s entitled to having a girlfriend, for fuck’s sake.
She’s a nice young woman, too.Decent.Sweet looking.I met her once this week when she showed up at the office with lunch for him.
Didn’t flinch at the security detail.
Didn’t act impressed by the view.
That counts for something.
“Hi, Mr.Lawrence,” she says politely.
I nod.“Hello, uh?—”
“Dad, her name is Amelia,” Maddox sighs.
“Right.Sorry.”I press my lips together, but it’s likely I’ll forget her name again before the night is through.
She smiles like she’s used to men forgetting things.
