Page 15 of Forever, Finally

“What was that for?”

“You’re not making Lily’s life easier. Sam for a girl.”

Lily giggled. Jake shot her a wounded glance, which only made her laugh harder.

“I’ll get you for this,” he promised.

“I can’t wait,” she said, and meant it.

* * *

“So, she lives with you now,” Jake’s mother said from her place in the shade.

It was nearly four and the picnic was in full swing. Two babies dozed on a blanket, toddlers alternatively walked and sat when they lost their balance, and the older kids raced through the sunny afternoon intent on their game.

Jake leaned against the tree trunk and sipped his beer.

“You already knew that,” he said.

“You told me she’d moved in, but that’s not the same as knowing. I saw the two of you together this morning. Things are different.”

“No, they’re not.”

His mother’s gaze narrowed. “So tell her the truth and change them yourself. You’ve known her for over ten years, Jake. Creating the universe didn’t take this long.”

He grinned. “You don’t actually know that.”

She wasn’t amused. “What I know is that you love her. It hurts me to watch you be hurt. There’s love inside her, too. There has been for a long time.”

“Friendship,” he said.

“Maybe more. You can’t know until you ask.”

“You’re right.”

His mother raised her gaze to the sky. “May the angels in heaven have a party tonight. My own son said I was right.”

He ignored that, instead glancing around until he saw Lily. She sat with Catherine. They were close to the babies and deep in conversation.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time, but I’m beginning to think there isn’t going to be one. As soon as she’s back in her own house, I’ll come clean.”

“Why wait?” his mother asked.

“Because she needs a place to stay while her house is being repaired, and I don’t want her to have to go looking for another one because living with me is uncomfortable.”

“Good point.” She glanced at Lily. “She’ll say yes.”

“To what?”

“When you propose.”

He put down his beer, then held up his hand in the shape of a T. “Not so fast. I don’t even know if she’s interested in more than friendship.”

“She is,” his mother said confidently. “And then you’ll propose and finally get married. You’ll see.”

“Maybe.” But he had a feeling things weren’t going to be that simple.

* * *

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