Page 35 of Sean
Monica’s expression did not reflect his happiness.
He ushered her into the house with a bow and a sweeping arm.“Welcome, m’lady.”
She scooted past him.“I’m not speaking to you.”
“I don’t care as long as you’re here.”
“Pompous...”
“Stubborn...”
His mom’s appearance cut their bickering short.She edged around him and gathered Monica into a hug.“I’m glad you came.”
“I’m so sorry to impose, but Sean wouldn’t listen to me.”
“You are not an imposition.”She motioned to the foil-wrapped package in Monica’s hands.“What do you have there?”
Monica held it out.“Pumpkin bread.My mom’s recipe.I hope y’all like it.”
“I’m sure it’s wonderful.Now sit and make yourself at home.”
“Nope.I insist that you put me to work.It’ll make me feel better about barging in.”
Before Mom could answer, Kinsley stepped into the room.“Mom, your bread dough is about to outgrow its bowl.What do...?”Kinsley squealed and clapped her hands, rushing to the entry.“Monica, I didn’t know you were coming.What a nice surprise.”
They hugged.“My goodness,” Monica said.“I think you’ve gotten bigger since Sunday.”
Kinsley stepped back and rubbed her belly.“Feels like it.I can’t wait till February.”
“I need to get back to the kitchen.”Sean’s mom gave him a little shove toward the den.“Shoo, you’re missing your game.Girls, come with me.We’ll gossip about the men while we cook.That always makes the time pass quicker.”
Sean watched them go before rejoining Benjamin and his dad in the den.The big-screen TV took up a lot of the far wall and could be seen from every seat in the room.He reclaimed his chair as the two teams took the field.A quick look at the banner at the bottom of the screen showed his team was still in the lead.“What’d I miss?”
“Your guys made a touchdown,” Benjamin said.“Price you pay for chasing skirts.”
The words rolled over Sean like a steamroller.“I’m gonna—”
“Boys.”
Dad’s single word was a growl, but it was enough to get his point across.
Sean sipped his soda, allowing the drink to cool his throat.Chasing skirts.What was he supposed to do?Allow Monica to spend the day alone?
Why did being friends with a woman have to equal something more?
He settled back in the chair as the game unfolded.He really was just being a friend, but he couldn’t help but notice how comfortably Monica had seemed to blend into his family.
