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“Have the two of you discussed custody and what happens after they go back to Starling Ridge?”

“Yes, Mom,” I tell her, running a hand through my hair as I adjust in my bed. “We have things figured out and are getting them taken care of legally.”

“Good,” she says, her voice dropping to a tender tone. “When do your father and I get to meet them?”

I swallow roughly over the lump in my throat. “When do you want to? I would like to check with Andi to see how Matteo is adjusting to things. The last thing I want to do is bombard him with a bunch of new people. It might be overwhelming.”

She’s silent for a beat. “That’s completely understandable,” she agrees, her softness returned.“Whenever you are all ready, your father and I will be on the next flight home. We could use some time back in Aston, anyway.”

“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner,” I tell the two of them, but mainly my mother. My father is a pretty agreeable guy. He goes with the flow and doesn’t get too bent out of shape about things. If anything, he only gets bothered when my mom getsbothered. “I was in shock when I first found this all out and needed time to process it myself.”

“Not to mention you getting injured and having surgery,” my father adds in, as if he’s trying to soften things in my favor.

“Yeah, that’s been a bit of a setback, but also feels like it’s forcing me to slow down in life. It’s giving me more time with Matteo, so I can’t fully be mad about it.” I pause again and suck in a breath. “I felt a little embarrassed by the whole situation and then I also felt guilty, which I’m trying to not let myself feel that anymore.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed by or to feel guilty for,” my mother says, her voice warm and comforting. “There’s no sense in holding on to the ‘should haves’ or ‘could have done.’ No one knows what things would look like now if the past were different and no one can change what has already happened. Adapt, move forward, be kind to yourself and Andi, and don’t take any moment for granted.”

“Lise, is your edible kicking in?”

She giggles after my father calls her out. “I think it might be. I usually start to get philosophical when it does.”

“Are the two of you high right now?” I ask through the chuckle vibrating in my chest as I shake my head at them. They’ve never been big drinkers or anything like that, but recently, they’ve both taken a liking to eating edibles in the evenings.

“No.” “Yes.” They say simultaneously before breaking out into louder laughter.

“Dammit, James,” my mother chuckles. “Carson, honey. It’s true, my edible is kicking in, but that doesn’t mean anything, really. I owe you an apology and I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. It wasn’t far for me to project like that.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I understand why you were feeling upset by this.”

“That’s still no excuse,” she says softly. “You may be an adult, but I always want you to feel safe and comfortable with us.”

A smile lifts my lips. “I do feel that way with you and always have.”

“Good,” she says. “Your father and I are going to let you go since it’s late there. Send me a picture of that sweet boy and please let me know as soon as you talk to Andi, okay?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Goodnight, honey. I love you,” my mother says.

“Goodnight, Cars. Love you,” my dad chimes in.

“Goodnight. I love you both.”

We end the call and I roll over, scrolling through my pictures to find one to send to my mom. There aren’t many of Matteo, yet, but I find one of him on the ice, his smile stretching from ear to ear through the cage of his helmet and I send that one to her.

My finger accidentally moves to the right and it opens the next picture. My stomach flutters, my heart pounding a little harder as I take in the image. Andi was crouched down in front of Matteo with his skate positioned against her thigh as she untied his skates. Her chin was lifted, her gaze trained on Matteo, her cheeks raised, lips parted as laughter escaped her.

I don’t remember what he said to make her laugh, but I remember the way she sounded. The way she looked at him. I knew I needed to take a photo of the two of them. Whether I send it to her eventually or keep it to myself, it’s at least a memory I have for myself.

And it’s one I want to hang onto for a little while longer.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ANDI

“Kale, like the lettuce stuff?”

My eyes widen and I cover my mouth with my hand as I choke back my laughter. Carson’s gaze flashes to mine, a grin spreading across his face as he shakes his head. I follow his eyes back to Matteo.