The rest of dinner is filled with small talk with Hutch and Collin finally starting to talk about how nervous they are for tomorrow. By the time everyone has pushed away empty dessertplates, most of the food is gone and they all look like they’re about to fall into a food coma.
“I think we should probably be getting back.” Thomas yawns. “I promised Kat I’d mow the lawn for her.”
Kathleen looks at the mess. “After we help clean up.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. Most of the mess is already cleaned up. Nana taught us to clean as we go so there wouldn’t be many dishes left at the end. I just need to rinse everything and put it in the dishwasher. Y’all head on home.”
Collin burps and starts clearing the table. “Me and Hutch got this, Red. You go sit down and relax. I can at least help clean up.”
“See?” Kathleen beams at him. “I told you my boys had manners.”
Collin sticks his tongue out her causing us all to laugh. He’s such a goof ball.
Kathleen hugs me as I walk her to the door. “I meant what I said. If you need me, just call. Have Jonathan put my number in your phone.”
I nod, not planning on doing that, but best to let her think I will. I would never put his mom in any kind of danger and that’s what Joe is. He’s danger personified because you won’t see him coming. He has everyone fooled.
Hutch closes the door after them and leans against it, looking relieved. “Sorry about all that daughter in law and kids talk. She’s probably only joking.”
“I figured.”
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?” He pushes off the door and comes over to pull me to him.
I’d actually worn a dress and heels. I’m not a big dress person, but I know how to clean up when I want to. I even blew my hair out so it’s straight as a pin. Add in a little makeup and I look damn good.
“No, but it’s appreciated if you do.”
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” His lips touch mine and it’s like I can breathe again. It’s the oddest thing. I knew I missed him, but his kiss brings me a sense of relief and pulls a need from me that I’ve never felt. I want to get as close to him as I can. I swear it’s like my body want to crawl into his skin and stay there.
“Can I stay here tonight?” he asks once he pulls back, leaving us both breathless.
“I thought you and Collin wanted to go into training facility together?”
“I can pick him up. I’d rather spend the night with you.”
“Then you have to promise to actually sleep.”
He laughs. “We’ll sleep eventually.”
“Fine, you can stay, but I mean it about sleeping. You don’t want to show up half asleep and looking like you haven’t slept in days.”
“My lawyer emailed me the forms for you to sign and then fax back to her. She said she’d file everything with the court first thing in the morning. You’re still okay with filing it?”
I nod. “Yeah. Not that I think it’ll do any good, but I’ll sign it.”
“It’ll make me feel better.”
“That’s really the only reason why I’m agreeing to this.”
He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose. “You didn’t correct Mom about you being my girlfriend.”
“I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your mother.”
His shoulders droop slightly.
“And I couldn’t lie and say it’s not true now could I?”
He looks down at me, shocked. “Really?”
