He chuckles, leaning a hip against the counter, completely at ease. “They’re teenagers. I was exactly the same.”
“If I ever meet your sister, I’m asking for stories.” I study him for a second, and he opens his mouth like he’s about to tell me something but then I interrupt. “Wait…were you giving Lucas love life advice?”
He shifts gears, nodding. “Ari’s birthday is at the end of the month. He wanted my opinion on a necklace.”
Something in my chest tightens. Lucas usually comes to me for that kind of thing.
I force a small smile. “That sounds nice.”
“He’s also looking for ways to make extra money,” Tuck adds. “Asked about mowing my lawn, raking leaves. Figured he could earn it himself.”
My gaze flicks to his. “He should be doing that for free. You took in his kitten.”
“It’s fine,” he says easily. “I don’t mind. And honestly, it’s good he’s showing initiative.” His voice softens just a touch. “You’re raising some great boys, Maria.”
The words warm something in me…and stir something else right alongside it. Before I can sit with that too long, his hand lands lightly on my hip, giving me a playful swat that startles a laugh out of me.
“Now,” he says, grinning. “Why don’t you go crawl back into bed?”
“I can’t,” I say, even as my body briefly considers it. “I’ve got to get the boys to hockey.” I glance out the window and my stomach drops. “But my car…”
“I called the garage.”
Of course he did.
“Radiator, hood, bumper, headlight…all damaged. Airbags deployed too.”
I wince. “I need to call the insurance company. Did they say how long?”
The look on his face tells me everything before he even answers. “Close to a month.”
“Damn.” I turn, scanning for my purse, already running through logistics in my head. “Can I borrow your car today? I’ll figure something out after that.”
“You can borrow it anytime,” he says immediately. “No figuring required.” Then, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, he adds, “And today, I’ll take the boys to hockey. Gives you a little time to yourself.”
I pause, turning back to him. “A little time?”
His grin shifts, slow, knowing, just a little wicked.
“Yes,” he says, pushing off the counter and stepping closer. “Because after I drop them off… I’m coming back.”
My pulse stutters. “Oh?”
“I believe,” he continues, voice dipping just enough to send heat curling through me. “Last night you mentioned something about making it up to me…”
19
Tuck
Practice was brutal today, and my left shoulder is aching as I step into the house. But the second I cross the threshold, my nose is hit with something rich, warm, and delicious. My stomach grumbles in agreement.
“Hey,” I call out, spotting a big bowl piled high with chips and candy bars. Shit. I completely forgot it was Halloween. The boys reminded me last Sunday when I drove them to hockey, but it slipped my mind.
“In here,” Maria answers from the kitchen.
I kick off my boots, tug off my jacket, and my stomach growls louder as I head to the kitchen. When I enter, I catch Maria quickly tucking something into her bag, and for a split second, it feels like she’s trying to hide something from me. Then she reaches for a book and slides it into the bag.
“Cooking and studying at the same time?” I ask, keeping a small distance. The boys could come barreling in any second.
