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I toss a pillow at him, laughing, and Jake catches it, stuffing it behind his head when he sits back on the chair. “Yeah, of course, you can date Mom. Just don’t be all gross in front of us.”

“Got it. No being gross.” I make an imaginary checkmark in the air. “What about butt pats?”

“Dante,” Maddie whines, and I knock the back of my hand into her knee with a chuckle.

“Kissing only?”

She gags and flops to the side in time for Taryn to stride back into the living room with a big bowl of popcorn. She hands it to me, but before she can get away from me, I grasp herwrist to pull her down for a wet, smacking kiss. The kids both groan audibly, and I laugh against Taryn’s mouth.

“I feel like I missed something,” she says when I let her go, coasting her gaze around at us as she wipes at her mouth.

“Maddie and Jake have both given me permission to date you,” I say, and Taryn arches one of her brows.

“That is awfully old-fashioned.”

“That’s me. An old-fashioned guy.”

She snorts and pats her leg to get Frankie to follow her to the other recliner, where he jumps up into her lap. The boxer who thinks he’s a lap dog. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

I waggle my brows at her. “You wait and?—”

“See?” Jake points an accusing finger at me. “That is exactly what I mean!”

I raise my hands in innocence. “I’m not even touching her. How can I be gross right now?”

“Bruh,” he grunts, and I wave off his worry with a flick of my hand.

“No being gross. Promise.”

He obviously doesn’t believe me, but I’ll do my best not to hit on his mother in front of him.

I last all of one episode before I text her.

you look so hot right now

She picks her cell phone up when it buzzes, shooting a scowl my way after reading my text. Then her fingers fly across her screen.

Duchess

Don’t try to be cute. I haven’t showered today, and I’m not wearing a bra.

yes my favorite.

your sweatshirt looks so old I think it would take one good rip for it to fall to pieces

Duchess

How dare you. This is Ocean City couture.

I’ll buy you a new one

as many as you want

just let me see your tits

Duchess

The kids are in the room!