Page 97 of Cheater and the Saint

“Hi, hon, I’m Kathy,” she said and pulled back from me. Her round face was kind and her eyes held that gentle gleam. “Come in and warm your bones.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I responded.

Saint might’ve resembled his mom a great deal, but their personalities were like night and day. She was bubbly, talkative, and seemed like she made friends wherever she went. Kind of like me, I guess.

Once the food was finished cooking, we sat at the table and ate like a real family. It didn’t even matter that me and Jacob weren’t an actual part of said family. We were treated with kindness and not once did I feel unwelcome. The food tasted incredible, but the real treat was the sense of belonging.

I might not be able to change my past, but I sure as hell was going to make the most of the present. I’d thought going to see my dad that day had been a huge waste, but it wasn’t. It made me appreciate this moment—to see the kind of life I could have.

I rarely looked to the future, but one thing I knew for sure was this: regardless of the major or career I chose, and no matter what path I journeyed down… as long as Saint was by my side, I could do anything. Be anything.

He made me better.