Page 44 of Forbidden Romeo

But she doesn’t say another word.

Unnerved, I glance at Holden. I don’t know Megan well, but I can tell that something about our interaction today isn’t sitting right with her.

“I hope you know we’re not looking to replace you,” I say quietly as my eyes once again find Jamie. He’s hopped off the swings, allowing another kid to play on it and is pushing her instead. “He’s a great kid and Holden and I just want to be part of his life. We’re family… and that includes you.” Her gaze snaps to mine and softens slightly when she follows my line of sight to Jamie.

“It’s, um, it’s just a lot to process,” she says quietly. “A couple weeks ago, it was just me and Jamie and I had fully sworn off the Dorseys. Your dad had made it very clear that I was to never contact you again after your mother’s funeral. So when I was invited to the theater, knowing Erik was a producer, I thought maybe he’d had a change of heart and wanted you to know the truth.”

“I had no idea Jamie existed, Megan. You have to believe me.”

“Oh, I do,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “But I also know how cutthroat your dad can be and I don’t want Jamie to ever see that side of your family.”

“I don’t want Jamie to see that either. I promise you, he doesn’t ever have to meet or see my father?—”

“How?” she cuts Holden off. “How can you promise that?”

Holden’s jaw goes tight, twitching and I drop my gaze to find him fidgeting with his grandfather’s spinner ring nervously.

Reaching over, I rest my hand on his thigh giving him a reassuring squeeze.

“And…” she adds after a pause before looking at me. “I hate to have to say this, but Kate, you’re not part of this family. Not yet at least. So these decisions need to be between me and Holden. And maybe Erik. That’s it.”

His thigh muscles bunch, turning hard beneath my palm.

“Wait a minute—” he snaps.

“It’s okay,” I interrupt quickly.

Both of them glance at me in shock. “Katherine, don’t say that?—”

“Really, Holden. It is okay. Megan’s right. I’m not one of Jamie’s parents. I’m not his stepmom. So I respect what she means. As long as I can have some sort of relationship with him… the cool friend of the family maybe? I’m okay with that. For now.”

Megan blinks rapidly and nods. “Thank you.”

“No,” Holden says again, staring at me with his mouth gaping open.

“Holden,” I whisper. “Don’t ruin your relationship with your son over this. We’ll be fine?—”

He turns and looks at Megan, taking my hand from his leg and lacing his fingers into mine. He brings our hands to the table, leaning in and looking at Megan. “I love Katherine and she isn’t going anywhere. She is part of my family. We may not be engaged yet, but she will be Jamie’s stepmom sooner than later… if she’ll have me.”

A gasp clutches my lungs. “Did you just… are you proposing?”

“No,” Holden clarifies quickly. A smile slowly forms on his mouth, softening the firm lines at his brow. “I’m definitely not proposing to you in front of my ex at an ice cream joint.” He pauses, his glistening whiskey eyes latching onto mine. “But it’s coming. Soon. So get ready.”

Megan clears her throat and stands, grabbing her purse from the back of her chair. “I… I have to think. There’s a lot to consider here.” She slings her purse over her shoulder, pausing to look between us for a beat. “But… you two are really good together. Holden, you seem happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

She turns abruptly on her heel, calling over to the playplace. “Jamie! Time to go.”

She shoots Holden one more withering look.

Jamie's head pops up from the ball pit, his eyes wide. "But I don't wanna go yet!"

"Now, Jamie," Megan repeats firmly. "Say goodbye to Holden and Kate."

Jamie's lip quivers but he drags himself over to us. "Why do we have to leave? Holden didn’t show me his Pokemon cards yet.”

“Next time, buddy,” Holden says, ruffling his hair.

Jamie looks up at me, his eyes filling with tears. “Will you bring your Pokemon cards, too?”

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