Page 33 of Feels Like Home

Knowing my boys. Myfourteen-year-old boys, there was a reason they were so focused on how they looked — and smelled — for tonight’sfestivities.

And the one who just greeted them isit.

I chuckle to myself as I round the corner and stop in mytracks.

In the doorway of my home stands Christine, an arm on each of their shoulders, looking up at them andsmiling.

She’s short enough that they’re both already taller than her by a few inches. She looks gorgeous as usual, her dark hair down. She’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a big chunky mustard yellow sweater, Bri wearing something very similar, but her sweater light gray. They both step out of their boots and continue greeting theboys.

Aidan and Reece are looking at Christine with giant smiles on their faces, and she’s looking at them inadoration.

I hadn’t seen those looks shared between them and Heather in so long, I forgot what it waslike.

And it’s in that brief glance that I know I won’t stop pursuing this for ourfuture.

I want this forthem.

Forme.

For all ofus.

10

Christine

Ididn’t realizeI waslooking for something. I felt content in the life that I was living, and then Andy walked in and shook everything up, everything that I thought I knew. He’s on my mind constantly, which is a bad thing. He’s not even divorcedyet.

I smile, resting my chin in my palm, feeling more content sitting at a table around empty bowls of chili, listening to the boys tell Bri about their lives. Neither can tell her stories or ask questions fast enough, and Bri is eating it allup.

“Want to watch us playXbox?”

“Watch? Are you kidding me? Do I look like a sit by and watch kind of girl? Heck, no. I’m gonna destroy you. Tell me you have the new Halogame.”

Both their eyes light up and they glance atAndy.

“Yeah, we got it for Christmas! Along withHarry.”

We all laugh at the ridiculous name for theirturtle.

“Go on. I’ll clean up while you guys get your butts handed to you by a girl,” Andy teasesthem.

The three kids jump from their chairs and all settle in on beanbag chairs on thefloor.

“Do you have headsets?” I hear Briask.

“Oh, she just won some major points withthem.”

“It doesn’t seem like she was struggling for their approval.” I wink at him as I lean down to pick up some of the dirty bowls and he saunters over tome.

“They’re like their dad,” he says, his voice so husky it sends a shiver through mybody.

“Yeah?”

“Mm hmm. Good taste, I mustsay.”

“Andy…” Iwhisper.

“It’s gonna happen, Christine. I served her paperstoday.”

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