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A chuckle rumbles in my throat. He’s comparing me and his mother to two kids from his preschool class. Honestly, I’m not sure we’re so different, really. I do like his mom and definitely more than just as a friend.

“Did Jackson have a crush on Ruby?”

“Yep.” Matteo takes another bite. “He said she got the cootie shot from the doctor so she didn’t have it anymore, just like my mom.”

I roll my lips between my teeth, biting back my smile. “Well, that’s good to know. About your mom, I mean.”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice trailing off for a second. “It would be cool if you did like her. Then we would be like a family with my mom and my dad like the other kids.”

My heart splinters and the smile on my face shrinks. Since the two of them have been in my house, it’s become a home. It’sfilled with warmth and laughter. It’s my safe place, it’s where I feel comfortable and content.

With the two of them. With my family.

“We are a family, Matteo.” My voice is soft as I stare across the table at my son. “I know ours might look a little different than other peoples’, but that’s okay. Whether your mother and I are together or not, we will always all be a family. I promise.”

He stares at me for a second then shrugs and focuses on scooping more Italian ice. “Okay.”

This was all completely unexpected and my heart aches. I wish Andi were here with us right now. I can’t help but feel like she would know the right things to say to ease his mind.

I meant everything I said to him. We are a family. They are mine.

The more time I spend with Andi and Matteo, the less time I want to be away from both of them. I’m fairly certain this is what a growing attachment feels like...and I’m afraid it might be too late for me to do anything about it.

I’m officially and irrevocably fucked.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

ANDI

When I get back to Carson’s, it’s already later in the afternoon and the house is quiet as I step inside. The front door clicks shut behind me as I kick off my shoes and pad through the foyer, my ears straining to hear any sounds of Carson or Matteo, but there’s nothing for me to hear.

Last I had heard from Carson was that they had finished their Italian ice, were grabbing something for lunch since they decided to do things a little backwards and then they were stopping by Caleb’s house.

That was almost two hours ago now.

I walk into the kitchen, noticing that there’s no one to be found, but the backdoor is open, with the screen door pulled shut in its place. My heart races in my chest, my body on high alert. I should have checked for Carson’s car in the garage.

I don’t hear Matteo playing in the yard. Did Carson forget to shut the door or is there an unexpected intruder in his house?

Pausing by the backdoor, I don’t open the screen door. Instead, I get as close as I can to look outside without catching any unwanted attention hopefully, if the latter is what is going on here.

Relief floods me as soon as I see Carson walking across the backyard. Confusion follows close behind when I realize he’s alone.

I step out onto the patio, immediately gaining Carson’s attention. “Hey. Where’s Matteo?”

Carson walks onto the patio, stopping when he reaches me. “Hey, you.” He flashes his bright smile at me, the same one that caught my attention that first night six years ago. “He wanted to play with Tella, so I left him at Caleb’s.” His eyebrows shift downward. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Oh, yes.” My own smile crests my lips. I’m instantly relieved and it brings me a sense of peace to know that Matteo is connecting with his family. “I just got a little worried when I didn’t see him. It’s a thing I do sometimes.”

Carson’s head bobs and he gives me a look of understanding. “It’s okay. He’s safe,” he assures me, his eyes slowly searching mine. “He’ll always be safe with me and my family.” His gaze stays focused on mine, his expression relaxed and soft. “Do you want to go get a late lunch? I know it’s already the middle of the afternoon, so maybe we can call it an early dinner instead.”

“I would love that.”

Carson takes me to a small, quaint place in town. It’s on the outskirts of Aston, along a lake. It’s a beautiful day outside, so we opt to sit out on the back deck that overlooks the water.

“This is beautiful,” I tell him, my eyes surveying the scenery. We’re quickly approaching summer, so all the flowers are blooming, trees are covered in leaves and the sun hangs brightly in the sky above.

“It is,” Carson murmurs. His eyes immediately meet mine as I turn back to look at him. He slowly lifts his glass, his lips brushing the outer rim before he takes a sip of the lemonade. “I love coming here during the summer.”