Page 16 of Serendipity

Me:Uhh. Thanks for making me nervous.

Jenna:Oh, please, like you weren’t already nervous. Seriously, though, remember what he said? He was planning on making good on that whole all night long promise he made you last night?

Me:I don’t think I’m ready for that, Jenna.

Jenna:Okay. That’s perfectly fine, honey. Just promise me one thing.

Me:Do I dare ask?

Jenna:Don’t go into tonight with any expectations. Just have fun. See where the night takes you. If it takes you to his bed, bravo, girl. If it takes you home to your vibrator, still bravo. Tonight is supposed to be fun. That’s it. A chance to see if you and Stone are good together for more than friendship. Which, for the record, I know you are.

I blow out a breath and place my hand on my stomach. Feeling relaxed again because she’s right. Tonightissupposed to be fun.

Me:I can do that.

Jenna:Call me tomorrow. I expect an update. Have fun and love you.

Me:Love you, too.

I’ve just hit send when the doorbell rings and my nerves fire off like a rocket inside my stomach. Damn these nerves. Just when I think I have them under control, they return. It might be from excitement, too. I didn’t realize until this moment how much I want tonight to go well.

“Holy crap,” I whisper to myself. “Please God, let tonight live up to my expectations.”

Then I hear the sound of deep voices and this time, my “Holy crap!” is shrieked, but still quietly.

The boys.

They just answered the door.

When I skid around the corner, I see Brock and Boone standing with their arms crossed over their chests, feet planted wide, and if I could see their faces, I’m sure they’re giving him their best intimidating look. I stay behind the corner of the wall, wanting to hear what the boys have to say.

“Just what do you have planned tonight with our mom?” Brock asks, his voice mysteriously much lower than normal. Does he not realize that Stone has spoken with him dozens of times and knows his voice isn’t that low?

“Dinner at my place,” Stone replies, in a tone that definitely tells me he’s trying hard not to laugh while simultaneously respects the boys.

“Your place, huh?” Boone demands. “That seems a little… convenient.”

The corner of Stone’s mouth twitches but he doesn’t appear bothered. Meanwhile, I’m still peeking out so I can watch the scene unfold like the snoopy mom I am.

Pride and humor war against one another within me. Pride that my boys know Stone is a good guy but they’re still making him aware that they’ve got my back. Humor because, like I said, theyknowhe’s a good guy. Yet, Stone is letting them be my sons. Allowing them to stand their ground and be the men of the household.

He really issucha good guy. He could laugh in their faces but he doesn’t.

Stone shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe it seems that way, but I promise my intentions are good with your mother. Dinner, conversation, that’s it.”

“That’s it?” Boone demands, jutting his chin out.

“That’s it,” Stone confirms. “Look, I’m sure you understand how incredible your mother is. It’d be impossible to miss. I’ve wanted to ask her out for a long while and I finally got the balls to do it. There’s no way I’m going to rush through any single step with her.”

I blow out a breath and feel my insides tremble but Stone’s not finished yet.

“Tonight I plan to feed her some delicious Italian food I’m making myself, have dessert,” he holds up a hand when it looks like the boys are going to dive deeper into his dessert comment, “actual dessert. And when she’s ready to come home, I’ll drive her home. And just so you’re clear that my intentions are completely honorable and that I’m not just hoping to string her along or am wasting her time, if tonight goes well, as I sincerely hope and believe it will, I’d like to have a family dinner at some point with y’all and Corbin Rae, Cash, Malina as well as Naomi because she’s part of the family, too. Like I said before, I’m not rushing to that, but putting it out there so you understand where my head is at.”

Oh my heart. I don’t know if I can handle it. Yesterday Stone was just my good friend who was admittedly incredibly handsome and today he’s picking me up for a date and wanting to have dinner with my kids and his daughter. Life is so weird sometimes. After Brett left me, it took me a while to see my worth again. I thought I was boring and drab. Not someone who could turn the head of a man like Stone. But between my kids helping me through it, and time spent with my friends as well as Stone, I finally believe I’m worthy of having something just for me. And that something is Stone.

“Blending families already? That seems awful presumptuous of you,” Boone scoffs.

“Hopeful,” he corrects. “And not rushing to that, just…”

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