Page 85 of Mother Pucker

“I don’t want to uproot him again. As much as he loves your house, his family and friends are in that house, and he would miss them if he didn’t get to see them every day. I’m afraid he’d become closed off and reserved again. I see how happy he is right now, and I don’t want to risk that.”

Just the thought of my little boy’s smile dimming makes my chest feel tight.

Rowan cups my face, making sure he’s got my attention. “I understand one hundred percent, baby.”

I take in a relieved breath. “Would you . . . consider moving in with us?” It’s a lot for me to ask, and I’ll understand if he says no.

“Yes,” he responds so fast, I’m left wondering if he even heard me. He chuckles, seeing the surprise on my face. “Yes, Shay, I will move in, if everyone else is okay with that. I want to be in both your and Kai’s life. I want to spend every minute that I’m in town athomewith you.”

“What about this place, your apartment?”

“I’ll sell it.”

My jaw goes slack. “You’d sell it? Wouldn’t you miss the view of Boston Harbor?”

I’m in shock that it took him less than two seconds to decide that, like there was nothing to it. And the fact that he made such a big decision so fast clues me in to how serious he is about us. That he’s all the way in this–no escape hatch, no exit route.

“Baby, the only view I’d miss is of waking up next to you every morning. And that’s non-negotiable.”

God, this man . . . Do I even deserve him?

I kiss him with abandon. “I just might be in love with you, Rowan Parker.”

His eyes heat. “Take the mights and justs out, and say it again.”

I giggle at what’s become our common exchange. “I’m so in love with you, Rowan Parker.”

Minutes later, we’re wrapped around each other, him kissing and nipping my neck, when I recall our plans for tomorrow. I need to get going so I can spend time with Kai. “So, are you still okay with taking Kai and Winnie skating tomorrow?”

Rowan chuckles softly. “I’m one hundred percent okay. The question is, areyou? I know it’s worrying you that I’ll be taking them to a public outdoor ice rink, but Kai is so excited. He’s become such a great skater over the past month.”

I nod, biting the corner of my lip. “I know they’ll both be safe with you. It’s just, with the conference I have to attend tomorrow night, I won’t be able to come with you guys and . . . I’m just a little nervous, is all.”

“Do you want us to reschedule? I can take them another day.”

I shake my head. This is something Kai and Winnie have been looking forward to all week, and it would really dishearten them if they rescheduled. Plus, Rowan will be on the road for the next ten days. It will be hard to find time again with his busy schedule.

The old me would have rejected even the idea of letting Kai skate in a public rink–let alone go skating, period!–but I’m making strides to control my anxiety and opting to stay positive, knowing he’ll be in good hands.

“No, don’t reschedule. I want this for them.” I give him my most confident smile. “I can’t wait to hear all about the fun you guys had afterward.”

“It’ll be like you were actually there,” he says, assuaging my worries. “We won’t leave out a single detail.”

But of course, the first time I take my eyes off my son, the universe throws in a twist, challenging me to tackle all my fears at once.

twenty-seven

rowan

“I heardyou’ll be joining this wild brigade soon.” Beckett Langfield indicates behind him with a wave of his arm as Kai and Winnie make their way out of the house.

I’m here to take them skating at the outdoor ice rink while Shay’s at her all-day conference.

“Looks like it. I’ll be moving in, in a couple of weeks.” I look over my shoulder at the home with the for-sale sign a few doors down. “So, what’s going on with real estate in this area? It’s been skyrocketing the past few months.”

While I’m still happy to move into this house with Shay and Kai for the time being, I don’t know how viable that is forever. It would be nice to have our own place, too. But since I don’t want to take her and Kai away from their best friends, I’ve been looking into buying a property in the neighborhood.

“For the love of God, not you, too.” Beckett closes his eyes, taking a breath. “I’m assuming you’re looking to buy in the area?”

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