Page 2 of Forbidden Kisses

"Take all the time you need." My mind was already spinning. Jeremy came home from school every day at two o'clock, and Maggie watched him until I arrived at six.

"I’d like to tell Jeremy myself, if that's okay with you. I didn't bring it up today because I wanted you to know first."

“Sure. Thank you.”

"I think your mom and dad would be more than happy to watch him now and then until I can return."

"Yes, I'll think about that," I said with a nod.

Maggie went to Jeremy's room to say goodbye while I stood there thinking about what the heck I was going to do.

She had a point. My parents were both retired. But recently, my brother Chase had bought back the retail store they’d owned when we were kids and gifted it back to them. Long story, but they’d sold it when they divorced all those years ago, and now they were running it together once again.

My parents had a complicated history. They'd been at odds for years after their divorce, but after Jeremy was born, they spent more time together and had grown much closer. They could probably watch Jeremy a few afternoons a week. But they had their hands full now, transforming the store into a place for pottery classes that Mom would teach and for selling fishing supplies, respectively. Strange combination for sure, but it was none of my business.

I couldn't ask them to put that on hold, and I didn't want Jeremy to just hang around there as they tried to get their stores put together. He would be bored and get in their way. He needed someone who’d oversee his homework and play games with him and stimulated him intellectually. His mother lived in Ireland, so there was no way for her to be able to jump in, unfortunately. I'd have to search for an interim nanny.

Maggie came out with Jeremy. He didn't look as sad as I’d expected him to.

"Everything all right, buddy?" I checked.

"Yes. Maggie said she's going on an adventure for three months and that she'll be back."

It was one of the things I liked most about Maggie: she knew how to put a positive spin on things.

"All right, then. I'll leave you two," she said.

I wished her all the best before she left, and then it was just Jeremy and me.

"Buddy, want to help me make dinner?" I asked him.

"Yes. Pizza!" he shouted and proudly pushed his chest forward.

Three times a week, I came home at five and we prepared a quick dinner. The rest of the evenings, we ordered in or went to a restaurant.

“Sounds good. Let’s prepare a salad first, okay, bud? You start with the vegetables.” This kid would eat pizza 24/7 if I allowed it.

Jeremy ran to the kitchen and put the small stool near the counter, stepping on it. He was tall enough, but he still couldn't reach it comfortably without help. He was in charge of washing the vegetables, and I chopped them. I did most of the cooking, obviously, but he was happy to be involved. He always talked my ear off about his day while we made our meals.

"How was school?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Fine, I guess. It's no fun. I like my afternoons more. They’re giving us too much homework. I told Mr. Mason that we’re kids. Kids should have free time."

I barely bit back a laugh. If there was ever any doubt that he was a Sterling, this would settle the matter.

“I like being outdoors.” That was no surprise. This was San Diego. Everyone liked to be outdoors.

"Buddy," I said in a calm, constructive voice, "talking back to the teacher isn't polite."

"But they need to know."

"They went to school, too, son. They know what's best for kids. If you don't agree with it, you can phrase it differently so they don't get upset. You could ask if it’s possible to have more free time."

He frowned at me. "But you never ask people nicely if they don't agree with you."

"What?" I asked.

"I heard you on the phone a few times. You just tell people what you want them to do."