Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 107352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“By the way,” she said, squinting at me. “In case you’re this clueless, a man who can’t keep his hands off you is a man who’s into you.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It’s not.” She patted my arm. “But that’s okay. You’ll figure it out. You seem like a pretty smart guy.”
I arched an eyebrow.
“Okay, maybe not.”
When Tatum came to check on us, we were both laughing.
ELEVEN
An hour later, all three kids were standing in the doorway of the garage, watching as Luke helped Quinn into the rented Toyota 4Runner. She had decided to go to Manhattan after all for a Friendsgiving, ex-husband be damned. It would cost nothing, as she’d gotten millions of frequent-flier miles in her divorce. It had been one of her stipulations. I was happy she could go somewhere she could breathe. She got my number and hugged me before she left.
“You belong here, Nash. Don’t fuck it up by worrying.”
“You’re pretty great,” I told her.
“I know. I tell people that all the time.”
I waved at her as they backed out. John was driving the rental, and Luke was following his father to the airport, as now that Quinn was leaving, the 4Runner was no longer necessary. John had conceded that a rental was a waste of money. I could chauffeur them wherever they needed to go as he could not drive a stick. This was the real reason he didn’t like the Jeep.
Once they were gone, I was making myself tea and asked Viola if she’d like some.
“What kind do you have?”
I listed the teas I got from Caitlyn’s favorite store, and she settled on a vanilla Earl Grey. As it steeped, I noticed her staring.
“You have questions, I have answers.”
Quick exhale and then she dove right in. “We brought Quinn with us because of course she was interested in Luke, especially after she got divorced, and then he did, and last year when we were here, everyone—him, the kids—all looked so sad and wrung out.”
I nodded.
“And the wound was fresher then, but, Nash, I came out this past summer, and no one ate at the table, there was no talking, just Tatum standing up eating at the island, Dar and Griff watching TV, Luke in his office… It was awful.”
Leaning against the counter, I held her gaze.
“But now, holy crap!”
I smiled at her wording.
“There was laughing at the table, talking, and my goodness, but that conversation between the kids and their grandfather…that wouldn’t have had a good outcome before.”
“Yes, but you’re both in therapy, so are the kids, and the only one who hasn’t started yet is Luke, but supposedly he’s going next week.”
“Which is wonderful, but, sweetheart, I’m not a stupid woman.” She crossed her arms. “Do you think I somehow missed that my son took a seat right next to you, could not seem to keep himself from touching you, and constantly watches you?”
“I think that—”
“My son has never shown any interest in men before, so I can assume that it’s you, Nash Miller, and you alone who has all his interest.”
“It’s too soon to tell.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Holding her gaze, I was surprised at the warmth there.
“He loved Caitlyn so much, but I could also see when it began to wane, and it was before she slept with another man. They grew apart first, and it’s good for my soul to see him so happy again.”
“He’s not sure what he wants at the moment,” I said honestly. “We have to wait and see.”
“I suspect he’s figured it out, dear.”
“It’s a bigger jump than you think.”
She squinted at me. “Is it?”
“Isn’t it? I mean, do you want your son in a relationship with a man?”
“I want my son in a relationship with someone he’s crazy about and someone his kids are crazy about. I’m thinking you check all the boxes.”
“Wait now, it’s not all—”
“This house is a home again, Nash. I could feel it when I walked in the door. While we were shopping, Tatum told me story after story about you. She was all Nash said this, and Nash did that, and Nash thinks she’s funny and smart.”
“I do think she’s funny and smart.”
“And you got Griff out of police custody and saved a kitten, and Darwin is so happy, he’s doing more than reading and studying. He informed me he’s allowed in Griff’s room again and that they play video games. It was really nice to hear.”
I poured her tea and placed before her, half-and-half, sugar, and slices of lemon.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at me. “I also understand you’re teaching him to enjoy jazz.”
“It’s what gets played at dinner, but they’re all allowed to change it to whatever they like.”
“But no one has.”
“Not yet.”
“And I understand there are no phones at the dinner table, and you all talk about your day.”