Page 17 of Serendipity

“Stating your intentions,” Brock guesses.

“Right.”

Boone turns to Brock. “What do you think? Should we let him in?”

“I don’t know. Italian, you said? You planning on making enough for Mom to bring some home for us?”

Stone chuckles a bit at that. Teenage boys. Always worried about food. “Yeah, and what kind of dessert? We’re kind of picky about dessert.”

I hold back a snort because they’re far from picky about any type of food, especially dessert.

“I’ll definitely send home leftovers with your mom and cheesecake for dessert. I bought it, though, because I wouldn’t have the first clue how to make one.”

“What kind of cheesecake?”

“All right. Enough of the third degree,” I say loudly, coming out of my hiding place.

The boys turn to me with grins and Stone doesn’t seem the least bit surprised. Though, his eyes do flare as he takes in my appearance.

“We were being perfectly friendly,” Brock says proudly, nudging his brother in the side. Could they be more obvious? Little stinkers.

“Uh huh. Sure you were. Would you let the poor guy in? It’s freezing out there.”

The boys step back and Stone advances into the entryway.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hey, you. You look…” he blows out a breath, placing a hand on his chest, “breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking, Leah.”

Brock and Boone both groan. “Well, that’s enough ofthat.”

Stone and I laugh and I walk closer to him, close enough that I can smell his spicy scent and see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. So unique and gorgeous. His dark hair that curls at the nape of his neck just a tiny bit is so sexy. My fingers always itch to fiddle with it.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

We’re staring at each other, not oblivious that the boys are there, but yet in our own world. I wish I could kiss him right now but I’m not ready for that with my boys around quite yet.

“Dude,” Brock interrupts our staring contest.

Our heads jerk to him and see the boys staring at us with wide eyes.

“I don’t know how I feel about this. You’re like…actuallyinto our mom, aren’t you?”

“Brock!” I chastise.

“I am,” Stone says without missing a beat. “Told you, this isn’t just me hoping for a casual thing with your mom.”

“Okay, uh, I kind of knew this but this is like, weird, right?” Boone says to Brock.

Brock nods, his eyebrows furrowed a bit. “Totally weird.”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended right now or not,” I tell them.

Their eyes widen even more, looking a little chagrin over my possible interpretation.

“That’s not how we meant it!” Boone exclaims loudly. “Promise. It’s just… different for us, I guess.”

---