Page 3 of Forbidden Kisses

Fuck. I couldn't argue with that. It was true. I wasn't an easygoing CEO. Some might say I was too strict, but I liked things done a certain way, and on my timeline. But parenting didn't come with a handbook, though I often wished it did.

"You don't have to do everything your old man does, okay?"

"When am I going to get a new nanny?"

"I haven't looked for one yet. You're probably going to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa at the store.”

“Yes! I love that," he said.

"If you want, you can always come to the office."

He jerked his head back, nearly falling off his little stool. "No, that's boring. Though if Uncles Finn and Knox are there, I might come."

I started laughing. I had five brothers, and Jeremy made it no secret that Knox and Finn were his favorites. Hell, they probably ranked abovemeon his list of favorite people, but I didn't mind. I appreciated that my son had a tight relationship with my brothers.

"We can work something out," I told him. "Now come on. Let's do this."

"Dad?" he asked, as if he was about to whisper a secret.

I looked at him. "What? You didn't get intomoretrouble at school, did you?"

"No. Can I pour the tomato sauce?"

"Sure."

We were making pizza today, and this was a big milestone for him. Two months ago, he'd spilled an entire can of tomato sauce on the floor, and ever since, he'd been afraid to even touch it. I was happy that he had the courage to work with it again.

"But can you watch me?" he whispered in an even lower voice.

"Right here, Jeremy." I put my hand over his small shoulder, and he seemed to instantly relax.

He frowned as he cupped the rather large jar with both hands and turned it upside down. He dipped his tongue to one side, moving his head circularly as he spread the sauce around. Then he took the spatula I handed to him and, with very precise movements, spread it all around the dough.

"That's great," I said.

"I did it!" he cheered. "This is going to be delicious."

I loved seeing him grow into a confident young man. I liked to think I was doing my best, but sometimes I still wondered if it was enough. I chopped mushrooms and pepperoni and arranged them in two bowls. The third contained cheese. Jeremy helped me pile on the toppings until we were both satisfied.

"All right, while it's in the oven, let’s call Grandma and Grandpa and see what they think about you spending time at the store."

"Yes," he said with a grin. "But I already know they’ll be happy. They love having me there."

I kissed his forehead before he got down from the stool. After sliding the pizza into the oven, I pulled my phone out of my back pocket, pressed Mom's number, and put her on speakerphone.

"Duncan, darling, how are the two of you?" she answered.

"We're good, Grandma. We have a question,” Jeremy responded.

“Maggie needs to take some time off to help her mother," I said without further ado. "I'm going to search for a new nanny, of course, but would you mind watching Jeremy this week in the afternoons?"

"Of course not. We’d love to have him."

"Thanks," I said as Jeremy squealed his delight.

"I made pizza, Grandma. I'm not afraid of ketchup anymore." He meant tomato sauce, of course, but I didn’t want to overshadow my son’s excitement with a small detail.

"Good for you, darling. I’m proud of you!” she exclaimed, then hesitated. “Jeremy dear, I'd like to speak to your dad for a bit, okay?"