I laugh, pointing a finger at him as I lean against the counter. “Don’t get too used to this,” I warn.
“It’d be really easy to though, don’t you think?” he asks around a big bite of cereal.
I nod as I put a pod into the coffee maker, and glance at him before turning to stare at the sun lighting up the back yard. I sigh, “Mouth closed when eating and yes, it really would be easy to get used to this.”
“One day we’ll have a house like this, Mom.”
I turn to him. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re back at school.” He rubs his hands together. “Lawyers make bank.”
I laugh at that. “Lawyers also have huge loans, kiddo.”
He gives a casual shrug. “Let’s just move in here, then.”
If it were only so easy.
“Tuck is doing us a favor. We’re not going to invade his house forever.”
His grin is playful. “Still don’t think he’s ugly?”
“Josh,” I warn, knowing exactly what he’s up to.
He throws his arms up. “I’m just saying…you’re both single.”
“Just because two people are single doesn’t mean they’re right for each other.”
“He doesn’t like the bunnies. He likes mature women. Like you.”
That catches me off guard. “You seem to know a lot about Tuck.” My stomach knots, worry gnawing at me. I don’t want them to get too close, too attached, when I know it’s not what Tuck wants. That would be disastrous for everyone involved.
“We’re buds. We talk.”
“Okay, well enough talking.” I grab a spoon and point at his bowl. “Eat your cereal before we’re late and remember I’m going on a double date with Declan Hayes soon.”
“I don’t like him.”
My stomach knots at the idea of a double date but my brain tells me if I ever want to find love again, I need to put myself out there, and Declan is a man who loves kids, and still wanted to date me knowing I have two sons.
“You don’t know him and Lucas said he was a really nice man.”
I fix my coffee and sip it as I put together a couple of sandwiches for their lunches. Lucas returns with a shiny face and ruffled damp hair just as Josh finishes eating.
“Okay, teeth brushed, Marbles snuggled and we’re out of here.”
Ten minutes later we’re in my car and I drive the boys to school. “What time does Tuck get home tonight?” Josh asks from the back seat.
“I’m not sure.”
“Are we going to stay at his place tonight?”
“No, I’m sure he’ll want downtime after a game.”
He grumbles from the back seat, like I’ve personally ruined his entire life, and I catch Josh’s eye in the rearview mirror.
“I have class tonight,” I remind them, steering through the busy early morning traffic. “So I need you boys to come straight home after school.” More groans. Louder this time. “Wow,” I mutter. “Such support. I can feel the love back there.”
“Marbles will be lonely,” Josh mutters.
