Page 106 of The Singles Club

Vivian stood. “Can I help?”

“Of course.”

I couldn’t blame her for wanting to get away from the table. If my mother was making me uncomfortable, I could only imagine how Vivian felt.

My mom sipped her coffee. “So, how did you and Vivian meet again? You mentioned some kind of bet?”

I scratched the back of my head, unsure about how to respond. “It’s a long story,” I finally said.

My father rubbed my mother’s back. “Come on, I’ll help you clean up.”

She waved him off, her eyes still focused on me. “No, I want to hear it. I’m sure it’s a cute story.”

My dad ran a hand across his mouth, giving me an apologetic look. He wasn’t going to be able to help me with this one. If anything, my mother was more hurt that I hadn’t told her… And if I did try to explain, she would be wary of Vivian. She wasn’t overprotective overall, but she did worry about me more since I’d moved to Boston.

“Another time, okay?” I asked.

Brock looked over at my mother, then back at me. “Hey, since you’re good with tech stuff, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind helping me with Carmen’s phone. She can’t seem to access her voicemail.”

I knew he was full of crap, but he was giving me an out I desperately needed right now.

“Sure, I’ll take a look at it now.” I pushed myself off the chair and walked over to my mom and kissed her cheek. “Thanks for dinner and dessert. I almost forgot how good your blueberry pie is.”

She patted my arm, and by her genuine smile, I knew I was forgiven… for now. “Go help Brock.”

I walked into the living room to find Vivian sitting on the couch with Caden in her arms. She didn’t look as awkward as the first time she held him. She softly whispered something to him while gently stroking his head. That image filled me up to the point I could barely contain it.

Carmen nudged my arm and handed me a bottle. “I should probably pack up Caden’s things. Would you mind helping Vivian feed him?”

“No, of course not.”

Vivian smiled up at me when I sat down beside her. There was a peace in her eyes I’d never seen before. “He didn’t cry when she put him in my arms. I even got him to smile.” She nuzzled the side of his mouth with her finger. “And you have a beautiful smile, don’t you?” Caden squirmed, and the corners of his mouth moved upwards, revealing the dimple in his cheek.

“Look, he smiled again,” Vivian said, as if fascinated by the whole thing.

“Would you like to feed him?” I asked.

“He’s your nephew, I know you probably want to spend time with him before you go.”

I handed her the bottle. “I’ll burp him.”

She set the bottle to his mouth, and he began sucking away as if he hadn’t eaten in days. I rested my arm on the back of the couch and leaned in closer. His tiny hand curled around my index finger. My heart must’ve blown up twice its size by that act alone. My nephew was going to get spoiled rotten.

“We should take him for a night sometime… let Brock and Carmen have a break.”

I waited for her to take back what she said, but when she didn’t, I slid my hand from the back of the couch and gently caressed her shoulder. “I’d love that.”

Vivian looked up at me without a hint of regret or awkwardness or uncertainty. She was glowing. I wanted to kiss her so damn bad it hurt.

When he finished the bottle, Carmen gave me a towel to throw over my shoulder. “Better safe than sorry.”

As I lifted Caden against my chest, my mother came in with a recyclable grocery bag and handed it to Carmen. “Some leftovers for you.”

Carmen kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Everything was delicious as usual.”

“There had better be a slice of blueberry pie in there, or I’m coming by and raiding your house tomorrow.” Brock winked.

“If there isn’t a slice left for me, then I’ll be the one raidingyourhouse.” My father mussed Brock’s hair.