Page 75 of Forbidden Kisses

Knox whistled. "You're a good sport, Riley."

"I appreciate that. So, what exactly are you going to do with Jeremy?"

"I've got a full weekend planned for him, but I'm afraid it'd make no sense to lay it all out. Knowing him, he'll convince me to do something else, like to go on roller coasters again."

I beamed because there was a lot of affection in Knox's voice. I liked that Jeremy was so well-loved by all members of the family.

"What are you still doing here?" Duncan asked, coming out of the elevator.

Knox looked over his shoulder, and his face exploded into a grin.

"I’m waiting for Jeremy to retrieve his favorite toys. And I was getting to know Riley here."

Duncan stopped right next to me. "Don't annoy Riley."

"It's too late, brother," Knox said, folding his arms over his chest. "I already introduced myself as a Neanderthal, and now I have to live up to that intro."

Duncan looked at me. "I'm sorry for whatever he's said."

I laughed. "Nothing too bad. Is it true that you’re the only one with manners in the family?"

Duncan's eyes closed as if he couldn't believe what I just said. "He said what?"

Knox jerked his head back. "No, man. I meant it in a way that sounded boring, but apparently, Riley appreciated it."

Duncan shook his head. "I should have known that you'd bolted from that meeting for a reason."

"Ah, the rest of you had it covered, and besides, when else would I have the opportunity to meet Riley one-on-one?"

Wait, what? He’d left a meeting early to meet me?

"Right. I'll go see if Jeremy needs?—"

I didn't finish the sentence because Jeremy came barreling toward us, holding his favorite bus under one arm and an inflatable bear in the other one.

"I'm ready, Uncle."

"That you are, buddy." Knox looked at the toys but didn't chastise him at all. I liked him even more with every passing second.

I avoided looking at Duncan, feeling more on edge than any other time we'd been together.

"All right, then. Let's go," Knox said. "Duncan, I’d promise you that we'll be good, but you know me. I don't like to lie. I am absolutely incapable of behaving."

Jeremy looked up at him, grinning. Knox was uncle of the year.

"All right, bud. If you want, I can hold one of these." Knox held his hands out toward the toys.

Jeremy took a step back. "No, I want to hold them."

"Then I'll just take the backpack," Knox said, grabbing it and throwing it over his shoulder. It looked comical since it was much too small for him.

After a brief goodbye, they both headed toward the elevator. Just before going out, Knox waved at us. I felt my cheeks go up in flames the second the doors closed.

Duncan and I went back inside the condo and closed the door.

"Riley, is everything okay?" he asked. He swallowed hard, not taking his eyes off me. "Are you changing your mind?"

"About what?