Page 25 of Bear's Midlife Bridesmaid
“She’s a great girl,” Jace said. He truly did like Bailey. She had drive, and she was good to Ian. More importantly, they were good to each other. In many ways, they had a better relationship than some people he knew who were twice their age. He didn’t want to discourage Ian from moving his life to the next step, but why did he feel so desperate? “Have you talked to her about the cost of this place?”
“Not yet,” Ian admitted. He stepped out onto the balcony and looked around. “There’s enough room out here for a grill and some chairs.”
“Yes,” Jace agreed. “You could put some hanging plants or bird feeders out here, too.”
“We’re not senior citizens, Dad,” Ian snorted.
“No, but you just wait. You and Bailey move in together—whether it’s here or somewhere else—and she’ll be adding all sorts of personal touches you never thought of. A rug in the kitchen. A trash can in the bathroom. Plants on the balcony.” Jace leaned on the railing, glad to find that it was sturdy.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No. Not at all. It’s just how things happen a lot of the time. Men and women tend to think about their homes a little differently. I know it’s all just a stereotype, and in some couples, the reverse is true. My real point is that Bailey will take an empty box like this apartment and turn it into a home.”
Ian let out a long sigh as he came to lean on the railing next to his father. “That sounds kind of nice.”
“Yeah. It does.” He’d never had that experience himself. Not that there was anything wrong with his home. It was clean and comfortable, even if he’d accidentally tried to kill that philodendron in the kitchen several times. He thought about Erin back athis place, using his washing machine, maybe curled up on the couch watching TV. His bear was pleased at the idea of her being in his home.
Jace rubbed his hand over his face. “The thing is, there’s no rush. I’m not trying to discourage you in any way. I can understand wanting to get out into the world on your own. It’s just that if you’re having a hard time figuring out the finances, maybe staying at home with me for a little while longer would be a good idea. You can save up, and then you and Bailey can get a place you can affordandbe happy with.”
“But if I go ahead and move out, you and Erin will be able to settle into the house together,” Ian countered.
Jace swiveled his head. He’d been studying the landscaping and the other apartment buildings, making room in the conversation so that it didn’t feel like a lecture or an interrogation, but now he eyed his son with concern and curiosity. “Erin and I haven’t even discussed moving in together.”
“But you said she’s your mate,” Ian replied, confusion taking over his face. “It’s not like you’re just going to find your mate and then go on living life the way you have been.”
“No, but we’re both adults. Established adults. You and Bailey have your whole lives ahead of you.You’re ready to go out and make your mark on the world. It’s great, but it’s not the same thing for people like Erin and me. I’m not sure what we’re going to do.” They’d have to figure it out eventually, but right now, it was easier to live the fantasy of finally finding the person he was meant to be with. But howcouldthey be together? He had a home and a clan there in Truro, and of course, there was Ian. She had her life in Salem. There was just enough distance between them that they wouldn’t be able to go back and forth for very long. His chest tightened with worry.
“Now, the other thing,” he continued, trying to break himself free of these feelings, “is that even if Erin did move in with me, you’d be welcome to live with us.”
“Did she say that?” he asked.
“She doesn’t have to. That’s how it is,” Jace replied firmly. “I have no doubt she’d be fine with it, and there would be enough room. I just want you to understand that you don’t have to push yourself to make any decisions too early just because you don’t want to get in my way. You’re my son, and you’re never in my way.”
“Aw, Dad.” Ian turned and went back inside. “You don’t have to get all mushy about it.”
“A man has a right to get mushy once every twenty years or so.” Jace shut the door.
“Well then, go home and be mushy with Erin.” He gave his dad a gentle smack on the arm, brushing off the emotions but acknowledging them at the same time. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I really don’t want to be around while my dad is with his new mate. You know what I mean?”
Considering how much time he’d spent with his clothes off lately, Jace certainly did. “No, not a clue,” he said with a grin. “Maybe you could fill me in.”
“No way, man. Not me. I don’t know anything about that.” He held his hands up innocently and then paused. “I think I hear Sam coming back.”
Sure enough, that same lilting whistle was moving closer out in the hall. “Let’s tell him you’ll think about it. Then I’ll help you look at some other places and go from there.”
“Sounds good.”
Jace made Ian promise to call him once he’d scheduled another walk-through and then drove home. He left the radio off and thumped his thumbs on the steering wheel as he thought. This was such an odd time in his life. He’d been a full-time father for years now. Ian didn’t need him the same way he had before. Many of the changes had happenedslowly, but suddenly, it was speeding up. He truly had the chance to live his own life now, and Erin’s arrival in it felt like perfect timing. She was there just as Ian was about to leave.
Yet it felt like her presence was pushing Ian away. He couldn’t let his son down or make him feel like he wasn’t wanted anymore. He was grown, but he was still Jace’s little boy.
Whatever happened, Jace had to make sure he didn’t sacrifice his relationship with his son.
12
“Thanks for agreeing to this.”
Erin turned to him from the passenger seat. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t?” she asked with a smile.
