Page 118 of Forbidden Kisses

“Because I want to know how long I have to wait to ask her to move in with us. Some of the kids at school were pissed that their dads asked their new girlfriend to move in too fast. But I wouldn't mind.”

I raised a brow. "Since when do you say ‘pissed’?"

Jeremy grinned. “I always say it when you and Riley aren’t around. Uncles Finn and Griffin don't mind.”

I was going to have a word with those two.

“We’re in no hurry. We need to wait for the time to be right.”

"Why do adults always say that?" He sighed dramatically. "It's so boring. Why wait when she can move in now?"

Because she has to want to. She has to be ready.

I didn't say that part out loud, though.

Mom dropped by later that afternoon. Unfortunately, Jeremy was asleep.

"Darling," she whispered, “I brought some snacks for Jeremy."

"Mom, he can't keep a lot down."

"No, these are special snacks. I used to make them for you kids when you were sick. They help an upset stomach." She put containers of Tupperware on the kitchen island.

"Thanks." I opened one and peered inside it.

Mom laughed. "You had to double-check, huh? Might I remind you, I raised six boys."

"I know, I know. And you’re right. Even the doctor recommended this type of cracker. I just didn't get around to buying them. Want a coffee?" I asked her as we both sat at the dining table.

"No, I'm good. Just a bit worried about the little one."

"Doctor checked him. It's really just food poisoning."

"I keep trying to think what it was that he ate. I think it was that sandwich he asked for when we went to town. It's the only thing I didn't have, too, or else I’d probably be ill."

"It could be a number of things. Maybe even something you had too. Kids are more sensitive."

Her chin wobbled. "I feel so guilty."

I shook my head. "Really, Mom, there’s no reason to."

"How are you two coping without Riley?"

"Well, Jeremy keeps asking about her."

"And you?" Mom asked.

"I'd want nothing more than for her to just be here with us. She actually really wanted to come by. I told her not to."

"Why not?" she asked sharply.

I sighed. "Because she's starting a new job. She needs to make a good impression." Even as I said this, I thought the song was getting old, so to speak.

"Oh. You do make a point."

"It's something that's been on my mind lately," I confessed. "She's so young. She needs to focus on her job. I can't help but feel that…"

"The two of you are going to hold her back?" she said when I didn’t finish.