Page 13 of One More Kiss

“I know this is hard for you, Kate…”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said fiercely. “I know you love me. All of you.” She smiled and it was bright, happy. “And Rye’s the best thing to happen to me. Though I may be even more in love with Ike than I am his daddy.”

“Smart choice,” Jenna said. “That boy is easy to love.”

“He is.” Kate turned back to me, her expression cloudy. “I hate that I didn’t realize how lonely you were, Mama. That you’d created and enforced an exile. You shouldn’t punish yourself for Daddy’s actions.”

I weighed words against the history of my marriage. I inhaled long and slow and exhaled even slower. “I think you’re right, but I didn’t notice. At the time, I was overloaded, trying to manage the days.”

“Then, you were licking your wounds,” Jenna said with a decisive nod. “But now that they’re healed over enough, you’re ready to find a lover.”

Kate grunted and pulled her arm free from my touch, crossing it over her belly. “I’ll get used to the idea, but I don’t love talking about you taking a lover, Mama. That’s a bit too real.”

I chuckled. “I thought of all that. Which is why we won’t talk about me dating outside that euphemism.”

“Better than your relations comment earlier,” Jenna quipped. When I frowned, she shot me a wink.

“Oh, don’t say that.” Kate shuddered. “You can date. You can hook up, but please don’t tell me more. I love you, Mama, but…gross!”

I chuckled.

“I have to admit that I’m not sure Steve’s ever going to lower his guard enough to let you in,” Aya said.

“Which is why I think we should set you up with some nice men,” Jenna announced.

Aya stared into the corner, lost in thought.

“I don’t know any men my age,” I demurred.

“That’s okay. We’ll find you some,” Jenna said with a bracing smile.

“But—”

“I like it. You should meet a few gentlemen before you set your heart on Steve,” Kate said. “He’s not emotionally available, and I don’t want you hurt again. Or worse. So, get out there. Meet some men.” She wrinkled her nose. “Scratch the itch.”

I shuddered. She did, too.

“I won’t say that again,” Kate said.

I shot her the look. “Good.”

“But…you get my point. We’ll find you some nice men to go out with—”

“None of whom will be who she wants,” Aya said. She turned back and her eyes gleamed. “You’re already in love with Steve.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “I think I am.”

I heard the chairs creak. No doubt the girls were leaning back, frowning at me and my ridiculous heart.

“I still think it’s a good idea though. For you to date,” Aya said into the silence.

I lifted my head. “Why’s that?”

“Because Steve is Nash’s father, and Nash has a competitive streak wider than this state. That’s what makes him the best in his musical genre.” Aya pursed her lips. “Steve tried to tamp his own competitiveness down but look at how he competes with you when it comes to cooking. He’s always making me try new recipe because he’d dead set on making something taste as good as your food.”

I gasped. “That cheater! He’s not supposed to taste-test.”

Aya smiled, seeming deeply satisfied. “Exactly. But he does it anyway. Because, under all that reserve, is a man who may be even more dead-set on winning than my husband. And he’s not going to like you dating. Whether he wants to admit it or not, we’re all already family, and…well, I think he’s claimed you.”

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