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“Exactly.But Marcie sees in you the same innate understanding of her children.The same respect for her parenting skills that I offer up every day.I admire what she does.But also know that path’s not right for me.”

“Ah.”He offered a small, but knowing, smile.“You don’t want kids.”

Might as well have this conversation now.Because if I knew one certainty in my life, it was that kids weren’t in the cards for me.I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.“If anything ever happened to Marcie and Darren, I would—without a moment’s hesitation—take the kids.My sister’s will is very clear, and we’ve had long and in-depth conversations about how they would want their children to be raised.All things I completely agree with.I also might say a prayer every night to a god I don’t believe in that nothing bad ever happens to them.That they live long, healthy lives.That they are around to see the nibblets thrive and live great futures.”

“That’s…” Phillip blinked several times.“Wonderful.If I hadn’t been near the end of high school when Mom died, I would’ve gone into foster care.No one would’ve wanted me.”

Which made my heart ache.“You know Colin and James are trying to be foster parents.Or even to adopt.”

“That’s amazingly generous of them.”

“Did Colin mention his family?”

Phillip shuddered.“Assholes.I think that was the word he used.”

I chuckled.“Right.James’s family is the opposite.”

“Colin told me.About all the brother and sisters and nibblets and parents who love them.Both of them.Colin talked about being accepted.”His cheeks took a rosy tinge.“Kind of like how Marcie’s been with me.”

“And you’re meeting my parents tomorrow night.They’re so excited.”I’d seriously considered declining their offer.Meeting the parents was a big step.Except they wanted to thank Phillip for his help when Mom was in the hospital.

“I’m excited to meet them.”He scrunched his nose.“What if they think…”

“Think?”I prompted.

“That I’m not good enough for you.I don’t have a college degree, I don’t?—”

I placed a finger against his lips.

He stopped talking.

Then I realized what I’d done, and I pulled back.“Sorry.You should always be able to tell me whatever’s on your mind, and I don’t have the right to silence you.I just…didn’t want you to spiral like you sort of do sometimes.If my parents didn’t think you were good enough for me, I wouldn’t give a shit.But that’s not going to happen.They’re going to see the amazing man I’m falling in love with—”Shit.Shit.Shit.

He grasped my hand.“Really?”

“Uh…yes.I just didn’t mean to say it like that.”

He arched an eyebrow.“And what were your intentions?”

“Something romantic.Like a picnic on the beach.Except sand gets everywhere.So maybe a walk in the park?Maybe where we met.”

“Okay.”He started to push up and off the couch.

“Hey.”I glanced outside.“It’s dark.”

“There are streetlamps.”

“Wally’s asleep.”

“You know if I ask him to get up that he totally will.And he needs a final pee for the night anyway.”

He was dead serious.

“Okay.We should probably put on light jackets.There’s a breeze off the ocean tonight.”

“In the dead of summer?”

“There’s a storm brewing.I should probably check the weather app?—”