“That would be good.” I say sliding my hands up to the sharp edge of his jaw.

“Are we over our latest drama?”

I smile, “I think so.”

“Good.” He touches his lips to mine once more.

“We should probably go in and get started on dinner.”

“Dinner is done.” He gives my waist a squeeze. “Or most of it is. I just need to warm up the tortillas and a can of refried beans.”

“Do you have magical powers that allow you to cook while you’re not even home?”

“No, I have a Crock-pot that cooks when I’m not home,” he says

“You have a Crock-pot?” I laugh.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Of course not.” I pat his chest. “I just didn’t know guys use Crock-pots. I thought they were only for girls, kinda like baking.”

“Smartass.” He chuckles.

“I still can’t believe you don’t bake,” I say as he turns us toward the house and holds the door open for me to enter before him.

“I’ve never had a reason to. My mom and sisters are constantly bringing over shit for the boys.”

“Spoiled.”

“Yep.” He grins then kisses the top of my head while taking my purse from me. “Also, baby, you didn’t need to buy condoms. I got us covered in that department,” he tells me, taking the shopping bag out of my purse before hanging my bag near the door. My cheeks warm as I watch him take it to his room, and he grins at me when he comes back out.

Studying his handsome grin, I pull in a breath. One more crisis averted and even more proof I’m seriously falling for this guy and his boys.

Eleven

Gareth

“GRANDMA’S HERE,” MAX shouts, and December’s head flies up.

“Your mom is here?” She turns to look at me, and I want to laugh at the adorable nervous look on her face, but I don’t.

“I’ll be right back. It’s all good.” I reassure her, stopping to kiss the side of her head before I walk past the edge of the island where she’s been working on her lesson plan for the upcoming week. It’s Saturday, it’s been almost a week since she and Max baked cookies, almost a week since we had our talk about one day having kids. Six days of having her at my house every evening for dinner with me and the boys, and in my bed every night.

“You’re going to love Grandma,” I hear Mitchell tell her right before I step out of the house to meet my mom on the walkway.

“It’s only been days since I’ve seen you and it’s like you’ve grown a foot,” Mom says, hugging Max then letting him go asking. “Where is your brother?”

“Inside. He had to do dishes this morning,” he replies smugly.

“You didn’t?”

“Nope, me and December did them last night,” he tells her, and a thoughtful smile curves her lips.

“Did you make her wash all the dishes?”

“Nah.” He laughs, shaking his head. “She made it a game, so it was fun, and we got it done super fast.”

“That’s awesome.”

“She’s totally awesome,” he tells her as they make their way toward me.

When they’re close, I palm the top of Max’s head, gaining his attention. “Go finish getting dressed and get your stuff together. We’re leaving in thirty,” I say, and he nods then leans up to kiss his grandmother’s cheek before turning and doing a high jump over both stairs to the top porch.

“It seems like Max really likes this girl,” Mom points out, turning to look at me once Max is inside and the door is closed.

“He does. Both the boys do,” I agree. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, since you were obviously not going to invite me over to meet her—” She tosses out one hand toward the house. “—I invited myself.”

“You know it’s not like that. This week has been busy, and today we’re taking the boys to Adventure Park in Nashville.”

“I haven’t seen my grandbabies in days, and I always pick them up from school at least a couple of times during the week.”

I shrug. “I rearranged my schedule so I could be off in time to pick them up from school last week. I’ll probably do the same next week, but after that, things will most likely go back to normal.”

“Your aunt told me you’ve turned down a few jobs at the shop.”

“Yeah,” I agree, crossing my arms over my chest becoming aggravated with the direction this conversation is headed in.

“I’m worried, Gareth. The boys are getting close to this girl, and you’re turning down work.”

“Don’t,” I growl, keeping my voice low so the boys and December won’t hear. “Do not go there. I want the boys tight with her. She’s the kind of woman they should be close to, and I didn’t quit my job, I just haven’t been killing myself with overtime.”

“Honey, I—”

“Jesus.” I scrub my fingers through my hair. “You were the one who told me that I should find someone, Mom.”

“You’re right.” She places her hand against her chest. “I… I think maybe I’m just a little jealous.”

“You have nothing to be jealous of.”

“When I talked to the boys the other evening, Max told me she baked cookies with him. I didn’t even think Max would want to bake cookies. And Mitchell kept talking about how cool she is. And you. I haven’t even seen you this week, or even talked to you.”

“Mom.” I sigh.

“I feel like I’m being replaced,” she says with tears filling her eyes.

“You’re not being replaced.” I chuckle, closing my arms around her.

“Don’t laugh at me.”

“Mom, you’re being crazy. We love you. That is never going to change.”

“I know. I just…. I guess I liked the idea of you finding someone, but never really thought of where that would leave me.”

I shake my head and rub her back. “The boys won’t like seeing you upset like this.”

“I’m almost done.” She sniffles, and I smile. “I know I’m not acting like it, but I really am happy for you.”

I tip my head down to look at her then tell her honestly, “She’s making me happy. She’s just as cool as both my boys think she is, and she fits in like she’s always been here with us.”

“You’re falling in love with her.”

Without a doubt. “She’s special, and when you meet her, you’ll see what I mean.”

Her expression softens. “Can I meet her now?”

“Do you think I’m going to send you away?”

“I don’t know. I did just show up here without letting you know I was coming over.”

“You’re always welcome in my home. And I know you don’t know December yet, but she would probably be more upset than you if I sent you away without introducing you two.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle, and she laughs, wiping what was left of her tears from under her eyes. “Are you ready?”