Page 119 of Forbidden Kisses

I narrowed my eyes. "Griffin talked to you?"

"Yes, he did." Mom looked at me with a kind expression. "Duncan, listen. I know you're used to being in control of everything. Your dad and I fully accept the blame for that. When you kids were young, everything spiraled downward, and I’m sure our unstable marriage impacted you kids. Everything felt out of your control."

"I don't blame you for anything, Mom. You both did your best."

"Well, we tried. I'm grateful that you don't blame us. But regardless, I think there’s some impact that probably affects us all. And I think those years really affected you most of all." She looked down at her hands and back up at me. "Because, well, you were older and always trying to look out for the rest. You can't always pave the way and make it smoother for everyone around you, be that for us, or Jeremy, or Riley."

"But I'm going to try damn hard," I said.

"I know you will. But if Riley wants to be here for the two of you in every capacity she can, then it's not really up to you to tell her no. If you love her."

"What?" I asked, though I shouldn’t have been surprised that my whole family had apparently figured out how deeply I felt for Riley.

"I know. What a strange concept, right? That woman loves you. And you really care about her."

"I do," I said, still shocked that Mom could read me so well. "But the timing of this…"

"No, don't do that," she said, shaking her head. "The timing isneverright. I mean, look at me and your dad. We did everything by the book, the way everyone back then used to do things: get married young, start a family, buy a home. And then it all crashed and burned. And now, in the winter of our lives, we… well, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but we're finding our way back to each other."

I groaned. Talking about it was simply awkward. "So, it's a sure thing, then?"

"No, not at all. But, between you and me, I think you inspired him. He's taking me on a weekend away to New York."

"Good for you," I said. "You've always wanted to see New York."

"Yes, I have. But I've always wanted to see it with your dad, too, and what do you know? Thirty-five years later, we’re getting the honeymoon we never had." She pressed her lips together. "Don't wait for the right time. Because I can tell you, it’s always going to be right now, not some time in the future. Okay?"

I nodded. "You're right."

"All right. Well, since Jeremy's asleep, I'm just going to go. Tell him I stopped by and that I can come whenever he wants me to."

"I will, Mom. Thanks."

She smiled. "Of course. Anything for my grandkid."

Over the next few hours, I doted on Jeremy. The plan was consolidating in my mind. I was so focused on it that I forgot that Knox, Finn, and Griffin were stopping by in the evening. They wanted to check on Jeremy. To my surprise, Knox came with a bottle of wine.

"I was in Napa this weekend," he said, "and the team at the winery gave me a bottle of the handcrafted vintage they had in storage.”

"Want us to open it?" I asked.

He cocked a brow. "No. It’s for you. Rumor has it that you might need it to impress a certain lady."

I stared at him. Finn and Griffin both start laughing.

“Griffin talked to you?” I asked.

"Yeah, obviously," Knox said.

"I'll take it," I said. “Damn, you move fast.”

"Yeah, you all give me shit for flying by the seat of my pants, but that's how I get my best ideas," Knox said.

"I won't argue with that," I said.

“Yeah, you do you, brother,” Griffin said, patting his shoulder.

Jeremy came running from his bedroom, smiling at the group. He looked much better.