Page 25 of Forbidden Kisses

"Not exactly, but I would like to ask you again to be a bit more discreet when it comes to your love life with Jeremy."

She sighed. "Damn it. I knew I didn't handle that very well. Honestly, I didn't even think he'd remember my ex."

"While he's there with you, will it be possible not to introduce him to anyone you’re dating? It just confuses him."

There was a pause, and then she cleared her throat. "Duncan, I'm not introducing him to just anyone, okay? My ex and I were together for six months.”

“I want to give Jeremy as much stability as possible. That’s why I’ve never introduced him to anyone I’m dating."Which is no one, so it’s never been a problem.

Shona cleared her throat. "Well, you know, maybe you should."

"What?"

"Listen, I think he's old enough now to understand certain things. He always tells me that divorced parents at his school are dating, or even remarried.”

I blinked. “He's never shared that with me.”

"Kids share different things with each of their parents, but from the way he talks, it's obvious that he does understand the nuances and differences between… you know… husband and wife or a dad who’s just dating. I'm not saying you should introduce him to everyone you go out with, of course. But you're very hard on yourself, you know?"

"Always have been. It's the only way—" I replied.

"Oh, Duncan," Shona said on a sigh, interrupting my response. "It truly isn't. Just think about what I said, okay?” When I didn’t say anything else, she added, "Is that all?"

"Yeah."

"Then have a great evening, Duncan."

"You too."

No surprise that we still had different views on this.

If I started dating, it would take a toll on Jeremy, I was sure of it. He’d feel slighted. Besides, the way I’d handled things these past few years had served us well, and it kept Jeremy happy. I wasn't going to start doing things differently now.

No matter how tempting Riley was.

CHAPTER NINE

Duncan

“You’re doing a great job with this place," I said on Sunday morning.

We were all gathered at my parents' store. I still called it that, but I had to get used to the fact that it wasn't that anymore. At least not in the way it used to be. Dad had set up a bait and tackle shop downstairs, and Mom had transformed the upper floor into an art studio where she offered pottery classes and yoga. Much different than selling milk and Snickers when we were kids.

"Everyone ready for round two?" Chase asked.

Mom had decided she wanted to do some cosmetic changes to her studio—again. All my brothers had gathered here this morning, lending Mom our muscle and advice. Everything happened much faster if we did it as a group. Dad helped her as much as he could, but he was only a one-man show, so he couldn't leave his business unsupervised for too long.

We’d painted the room off-white as Mom asked, but we had to wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.Knox, Finn, and Wyatt were going to shellac the floors later that afternoon.

"Not so fast," Mom said. "Do any one of you boys want some brownies? They should be ready by now."

“Anyone else feel like they’re five years old?” Finn asked.

Knox nodded while Wyatt and Griffin laughed.

She waved them off. "Oh, stop it. I want to spoil my boys. Being here and cooking brings back memories."

She was right. Only it didn't bring any good ones for me. All I could remember was my parents shouting at each other or bickering behind closed doors because Mom didn't want to disturb us while we were doing homework.