Page 364 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“What’s your favorite kind of pizza?” Ethan asked suddenly, peering over at me.
“Hmm, I think my favorite is probably barbecue chicken,” I said, looking down at the menu. “What’s your favorite?”
“Pepperoni and mushrooms!” Ethan declared. “Dad, can we get pepperoni and mushrooms? Please?”
Adam grimaced in apology to me. “Not everyone likes mushrooms on their pizza, remember?” he told Ethan. “If we want to get something to share, we might have to make some compromises.”
Ethan sighed. “No one ever wants pepperoni and mushrooms,” he said.
I tried not to laugh. “I don’t know many kids your age who like mushrooms at all, especially not on pizza,” I said.
Ethan shrugged. “They’re the best,” he said simply.
“Well, how about this,” I suggested, looking over at Adam. “We can get one big pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms on one half and whatever your dad likes on the other half? I’d eat some pepperoni and mushroom pizza with you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Adam interjected. “We can just get pepperoni and something else; he’ll like it just as much.”
“Nah, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” I insisted. “And anyway, it’s his favorite. I want him to have what he wants.”
Adam stared at me for another moment and then rolled his eyes fondly. “You’re spoiling him again,” he said.
“So what if I am?” I replied breezily.
Adam grinned and just shook his head.
We ate way too much pizza and still had more to box up at the end of the night, and I made Ethan shriek with laughter when I joked that I was going to take home all of the pepperoni and mushroom pizza because I liked it better than he did. Adam just watched the two of us, still looking a bit bewildered. But every time I caught his eye, he grinned at me.
I gave Ethan a quick hug when we got back to the condo and prepared to go our separate ways for the night. Of course, I wanted nothing more than to go home with the two of them. But I could tell that Adam was still a little shell-shocked at how well Ethan and I were getting along, and I reminded myself that he had already asked me multiple times to be patient with him. This was all new, and I could tell that although he was happy with the way things were going, he needed time to process it.
Ethan clung to me now, though. “I’m happy you’re back,” he said.
“Me too, kiddo,” I said seriously. “Me too.”
“I love you,” Ethan said as he pulled away. The words slipped so easily out of his mouth
I grinned down at him. “Love you too,” I said. “And see you soon, okay?”
Ethan nodded and climbed into the car while Adam pulled me close, his hands on my hips. “Sorry about that,” he said as he nuzzled my jawline.
I blinked in surprise and then shook my head. “You don’t have to apologize,” I chided. “I had fun today. With the skiing and dinner. Everything. Ethan’s great.”
Adam stared at me for a moment, and I could tell he was trying to decide whether to believe me or not. “All right,” he finally said. “But still, I’m sorry about the ‘I love you’ thing. He doesn’t really understand what it means.”
I snorted. “Adam, it’s fine. Really.” I paused, grinning at him. “Now I’m just waiting for a certain someone else to say it.” Adam grimaced and started to pull away, but I caught him before he could go very far. “Hey, I was just kidding. I’m sorry,” I said.
Adam shook his head. “Don’t be,” he said. Then, he sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, I’m just still…” Again, he trailed off.
“Trying to process,” I suggested. “I know. I can practically see the gears turning in your head. Just don’t think too hard.”
Adam chuckled and shrugged. Then, he leaned in and kissed me gently. It was a pretty tame kiss, all things considered, but then again, Ethan was right there in the car, able to see his dad’s every move. Adam was right, there were still certain things that I had to get used to with having a kid around all the time. But I didn’t mind it. In fact, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
We stood there for a moment, still pressed close to one another. Finally, Adam sighed softly. “Would it be stupid to say that I’m going to miss you?” he asked. Then, he looked embarrassed for having said that.
I grinned before he could backpedal. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow,” I promised him. “And every day for the rest of the season, I hope.”
“Good,” Adam said, sounding relieved. He smiled as he let me go. “I guess I should let you get inside before you freeze. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 65
