Page 61 of I Knead You Tonight

“You’re a really good mom, Drew.”

His out-of-the-blue compliment has me whipping my head in his direction.

“What?”

“I said you’re a really good mom. You’re doing a good job providing for your son. He’s going to appreciate it so much when he’s older and understands the sacrifices you’re making. I’ll make sure of it.”

Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Thank you. Not just for that, but for everything. It means a lot.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything else.

And we spend the rest of the trip in silence.

Slice Ten

Winston

“When did you say Mr. Schwartz would be done with my car?”

“I didn’t.”

Drew lifts a brow at me. “Well, do you have any info? I can’t be without a car forever. I can’t keep depending on you to give me rides, you know.”

This weird feeling settles in my gut as what she says truly sinks in.

She’s right. She can’t depend on me forever.

I have to keep reminding myself this isn’t permanent. Drew living here is only temporary. Eventually she’s going to leave. She has a life to live that doesn’t include crashing at someone else’s house, no matter how convenient it is.

Riker has a routine to get back to.

Ihave a life to get back to.

Not to mention the fact that we still don’t get along.

We might be temporarily living together and sharing a bed at night, but we aren’t suddenly best friends or anything. We’re a hell of a lot more civil with one another, but things aren’t magically perfect between us.

She still drives me wild, and not just in theI want to take you to bedkind of way.

She’s messy. She’s bossy. A total know-it-all. Always in my space and my business.

Despite all that, I’m not ready for her to leave yet. Which is why I haven’t told her the car is ready. It’sbeenready…and paid for.

Telling her would light too much of a fire under her ass. She’d be bailing out of here at the first sign of things looking up, whether she’s truly ready to or not. Then she’d just be back at square one and I’d have to rescue her.

Again.

Also, not that I’m willing to admit it out loud, I’ve grown used to having her around. This house is kind of lonely when she’s not here.

Drew makes me laugh. Gives me someone to spar with. Keeps me on my toes twenty-four seven.

Besides, Riker and I are starting to bond. Ever since that night I bounced him back to sleep, he’s taken to me.

Which is why he’s chilling on the couch next to me watchingSpongeBob—Sully swears it’s his favorite—while Drew gets ready to take a shower.

“It’s not done yet,” I lie. “It’ll probably be another week.”

---