My hand drops to her neck. I don’t care that there are other people in the restaurant. I deepen the kiss, drawing her toward me. She parts her lips, and she’s as hungry for this as I am.
If we weren’t in a restaurant, I’d slide her onto the table and part her legs and give her what she needs. And as soon as I get her alone, that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Her phone rings, disrupting my fantasy. Lauren jumps away, and I slide back into my seat.
She frowns at the number, and her face goes pale.
“Lauren speaking.” Her voice is shaky, and as the person on the other end of the phone speaks, her eyes widen.
“When did this happen?” She pushes out of her chair and grabs her purse and jacket. “Why am I only hearing about it now?”
I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s time to leave.
I take some bills out of my pocket and leave them on the table to cover the meal. Then I grab my jacket.
Lauren’s already out the door when I catch up with her.
“What is it?
“I need to get home. Right now.” As she says it, she’s tapping her phone, and I see Kieren’s name come up.
“We can do that.”
We jog to my pickup as she calls Kieren.
“He’s not picking up.” Her voice is tight, and I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to get her home.
Lauren give me the address of her house, and I break every speed limit to get there. She spends the ride gripping the sides of her car seat and calling Kieren on repeat. I try to stay calm and not show the fear that I’m feeling, fear that something has happened to the boy.
Lauren and Kieren have only been in my life for a few days, but I already feel protective of Kieren as if he were my own family.
We pull up outside her place, and she throws open the car door and races toward the house.
“Whoa.” I catch up with her before she reaches the door. “Do you need me to go in first?”
She shakes her head and pulls open the front door, calling Kieren’s name.
I’m right behind her as we reach the kitchen where a phone sits on the counter. Kieren’s, I’m guessing.
I follow her up the hall, and she pushes a bedroom door open.
Kieren sits in front of a gaming setup, his headphones on, moving the controller like a pro. He doesn’t even hear the door, and it’s only when Lauren walks into his peripheral vision that he slides one earphone off.
“Hey Mom.”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Why are you angry?” He frowns at her. “Are you wearing makeup?”
She glares at him. And I see relief battling with anger.
“Did anyone call? Or stop by?”
He glances around his desk and shrugs. “Don’t know. I don’t have my phone.”
I’ve been hanging back by the door and Kieren hasn’t seen me, which is fine. I’m not sure if Lauren told him we’re dating yet.
He goes back to his game, and she goes to the curtains, peers out, and checks the windows.
