Page 19 of Serendipity

“So? I haven’t,” Cash demands, looking directly at Stone. “Dad totally dicked her over and acted like a tool. Don’t do that. She deserves to be treated like a queen and with respect, you know? If you can’t do that, I suggest you walk away now and maybe y’all can stay just friends.”

“I know how it all went with your dad and you’ll have to trust me when I say this, but I have no plans to disrespect her. Ever. I definitely won’t act like your dad,” Stone promises then grimaces. “Sorry, y’all. I know he’s your dad and I respect that and am not trying to take his place or put him down.”

The kids say nothing to that, which makes me a little nervous. I know they’re not huge fans of their dad right now but it’s the first time I’ve heard Cash speak about him that way. I should probably talk to him about it, but the fact that he rarely has interactions with them makes me bite my tongue. Still, my mama intuition zings a bit and I plan to address the dad situation with all of them later.

“No apologies needed,” Cash murmurs and the rest of them agree.

“Kids, I love that you’re protective of your mom and that you came home to make sure she’s okay. I promise that I will not dick over your mom,” he says, using Cash’s words. “I told your brothers, but I like her. A lot. I see us going somewhere but tonight is casual. Dinner at my place. I don’t have shady intentions.”

“You like her, right?” Naomi asks, still beaming at Stone and me.

Brock shoots her a glare. “Of course he does.”

She nudges him with her elbow. “I just meantlikelike her.”

“And I said of course he does,” he grouches back.

Brock is unusually grumpy with Naomi and something tells me it has everything to do with her date with Wyatt last night which confirms my suspicions that she and Wyatt showed up at the party at Gage’s house. From what I understand when we were on FaceTime with Corbin Rae this morning going over outfit choices, they had a great first date and Naomi was excited. He also asked her out on a second date and that had her giddy as well. It also has made Brock irritable. He can pretend he doesn’t have feelings for her, but the writing is on the wall.

Naomi huffs, glaring right back at him. “Don’t be a jerk. I’m just happy they’re finally doing this, okay?”

Corbin Rae steps between them. “Okay, first of all, stop fighting. What isupwith you two?” she demands to know, earning a grumble and shrug from Brock. “Second of all, yes, Stone likes Mom and Mom likes Stone. It’s been established and we’re all very happy that this is happening. Stone. Contrary to how it appeared earlier, we just wanted to say hello to both of you before you left for your date and, not that you need it, but give our official go ahead to date our mom.”

The oldest of my children. She’s such a good older sister to her brothers. Strong and wise beyond her years, she loves them dearly but also loves being the oldest.

“I feel like a jerk for not asking already,” Stone says, a little sheepish like he messed up somehow.

“Don’t. It’s not like you’re some stranger, and maybe permission was the wrong term. But yeah, we like that this is happening and didn’t want to miss out on telling y’all that. We know you’re a good guy and Mom, well, she’s a catch, which I think you know, and… yeah. Well, that’s about it. Anyway, have fun tonight!”

“But not too much fun,” Cash says, no longer grumbling and finally smiling.

I roll my eyes and give the kids a hug and kiss on the cheek goodbye then grasp Stone’s hand once again after slipping my coat on. As he’s guiding me out the door, Brock hollers, “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do! And keep the P’s and V’s locked away behind zippers!”

“Oh my gosh, Brock!” I growl, spinning around to level a glare at them.

The knuckleheads cackle and slam the door on our faces.

“Did that really just happen?” I ask incredulously.

“Sure did.”

“They’re idiots. I love them all, but they’re idiots.”

Stone wraps an arm around me and guides me to his truck. “Nah. They love their mom and there’s nothing idiotic about that. Nothing at all.”

“They’re good kids,” I murmur, looking up at him. “Sorry if they —”

He cuts me off with a finger to my lips. “Don’t even apologize. They’re doing what they should have done. It didn’t bother me, Leah. I’m glad you have them and they have you. I’m also damn glad you agreed to this date.” He stops us by the passenger door and turns me to face him, threading his hands through my hair. “He’s right about your outfit. Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”

I melt into him and shake my head.

“No, but you did call me breathtaking. Twice. And I think that’s about the same.”

“It isn’t. You’re breathtakingly beautiful.”

My breath catches in my throat. I hate to admit this out loud but, “Can I tell you something that I’m a little ashamed of?”

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of anything.”

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