Page 60 of Broken Warrior
“New York strip,” Tate says with a laugh. “Grilled parmesan garlic crusted scallops. Homemade pasta in olive oil, lemon, and herbs with asparagus and spinach.”
I am going to marry this woman.
“I also have a mixed green salad, fresh bread in the oven, and root beer floats for dessert.” She flashes a smile at me over her shoulder. “That was James’s idea. He frowned his cute little face off over my menu choices, which is why he’s having chicken nuggets with his pasta instead of steak or scallops, but he promised to eat thatandhis salad if we had the floats after dinner.”
“A man after my own heart.” I haven’t had anything like that since I was a kid but root beer with vanilla ice cream was one of my favorite things ever.
Tate nods. “That’s why James suggested it. Said you told him about how your dad made them for you after he got back from a long trip away.”
I just nod and try to hide my very mixed emotions.
My dad did do that. After he’d get back from a run, he’d take me to the bar while it was closed, make us each a huge root beer float, and catch up on everything he missed while he was gone. Those floats were something only he and I shared, and those floats were exactly what we were drinking when I told my dad the horrific things that were going on while he was gone. Even still, it’s one of my favorite memories of my dad and I love how James remembered and decided to share that with me now.
And fuck, if that wasn’t a fucking sign, a clear cut message conveyed by my little buddy, then I don’t know what the fuck is.
* * *
“Fin?”James sighs as I turn on his nightlight.
He fell asleep in my lap while we watched The NeverEnding Story, the three of us sharing a blanket on the couch, and by the time the credits were rolling my little buddy was totally cashed out in my arms.
“What’s up, bud?” I whisper as I pull his blanket higher, giving him a soft smile when he burrows a little further into bed.
“When can Mama and me come live at your house again?”
For the billionth time tonight, my chest squeezes and goes all fuzzy. But I just sigh and push his locks out of his face. “I thought you liked your new place, bud? Liked having your own room and stuff?”
James nods sleepily, his eyes still closed. “I do, but I liked your house better.”
“How come?” Assuming it has everything to do with the horses and goats, the big ass yard he runs all over until he passes out of from exhaustion, and not at all what James actually says that has me choking up.
“‘Cause you’re there.” He yawns as he rubs his eyes. “I like my new house but I like yours better ‘cause you live there.”
Jesus, I’m gonna fucking cry.“I appreciate that, buddy.” I clear my throat, trying to break up the way it’s clogged with emotion. “But your new house is really nice. Your room is super cool, got lots of space for you to build your Legos.”
James nods and looks up at me with bleary blue eyes. “Maybe you can come live here with me and Mommy then.”
I am so not equipped to handle this conversation.
“How about we talk about this later, James? You look pretty sleepy and your mom should be a part of conversations like this.” ‘Cause I don’t know what the fuck to say.
Thankfully, he nods and closes his eyes again. “M’kay Fin. We can talks about it in the morning.”
“Sounds good, bud.” I lean down and press a kiss to his hair. “Sleep tight, little buddy.”
I get to my feet and walk quietly toward the door, but just as my hand lands on the knob, the four-year-old that holds my heart decides to guarantee his place inside it for all time.
“I love you, Fin. See you in the morning.”
“I... I love you too, James.” My voice shakes but only a bit. “Goodnight.”
The minute his door clicks closed I blow out an uneven breath, then jump sky high as Tate comes out of her room dressed in sleep shorts and a tank top.
“Sorry.” She blushes as she smiles. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I shake my head as I chuckle awkwardly. “You’re fine.”
“Did he go down ok?”
