Page 19 of Falling for Brody

He looked at his aunt and Helene was looking at him with every ounce of love she had in her eyes. "Pick a seat. You know its first come first served on chairs."

It had been growing up, but since Kay had her kids, things had gotten a little habitual. At first it had been Sarah in a high chair between Kay and Thomas and then when it was two, they had the kids between them. So that was one side of the table.

He looked at the room.

His mother spoke then. "I'm taking plates for your father and myself. And we'll send plates to Joshua and Avalon."

He nodded. "And Gabe is staying with Misty."

When he got the nod, he pulled out a chair on the other side of the table. "How about here."

Chip looked up at his mom. "Please?"

"Okay." She put the booster down and reached for Chip to lift him up onto the seat.

He leaned in to help and suddenly he was inches away from her mouth.

Fuck.

"Uh...."

"Sorry." Brody took a step back and watched Rhea lift her son up onto the seat.

Then she looked up at him with a smile that hit him in the chest like a punch.

It was a grateful smile, but there was this brightness in her eyes. He knew it was love for her son, but having that kind of beauty directed at him?

Wow.

Sucker punch.

And he liked it.

Almost too much.

Once Chip was seated, Rhea turned to the Moms. "What may I help with?"

Brody grimaced.

Rhea had saved herself from the number one grammar trap in his family.

As a kid and sometimes as an adult, he'd asked 'can I' a lot.

And then his mom or his aunt would say, 'I don't know.Can you'?

Rhea had just proved herself to be better at this than he was.

"Sit down, Rhea." His aunt waved her away. "You've had a long day. Sit down and relax."

Brody agreed. "Have a seat next to Chip. I'll get you two something to drink. Chip?"

The boy swung his head around to look at him, grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah?"

"What do you want to drink?"

The boy shrugged. "Whatever you're having."

Brody froze on that thought. His mother rolled her eyes. Usually, he had a beer.

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