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“Well maybe so,” I pushed at his shoulders, “but it's about the line of candles I want to put inside the Kings’ proshop and I need to do it however they want to do it.”

“Then you better go,” he pushed me playfully to the edge of the bed. “As a huge Kings’ fan, I’m gonna need all the details.”

“You could come and listen in,” I teased.

“I could,” he nodded and sat up, looking at the ground for his pants. “But I want to get Max’s bed put together before he gets home.”

He was going to love it. I had been so behind and had to admit that having Easton’s help was going to be amazing. He would be able to finish it up in no time, giving Max his special surprise.

“That’s perfect,” I smiled, not realizing what I had said until Easton’s eyes shot up to mine and he smiled.

“Keep talking dirty,” he warned me, “and I’ll make sure you really do miss that meeting.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

EASTON

She giggledas she ran into the bathroom, then I heard the shower start. It took everything in me not to join her and fuck her again. But time was ticking, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on Max’s face when he finally got to see his fire truck bed.

While I went to work, carrying the heavy box up the stairs and gathering some tools, I could hear Jesse on her call in the dining room. She was so damn smart and somehow made the act of buying candles sound like she was discussing a peace treaty.

To her, candles weren’t just candles; they were the colors, the smells, and the notion that each one could bring happiness to someone else just by lighting the wick. I was so proud of her and everything she had accomplished on her own, not just in her business, but as a mother as well.

Max was a good kid and so incredibly smart. Although he was a bit shy, he was respectful and polite for a kid that hadn’t even been on earth for four years. It was amazing and being in his life was just as special as being in Jesse’s.

Everything was happening so fast. My feelings for Jesse, and Max, had skyrocketed quicker than I could blink. It was scary, but it felt so damn good that I couldn’t deny it.

Jesse was right to take her time. She had a lot more to lose, a lot more to consider. But I meant what I had said. No matter how long it took, I would wait and I would be her friend, her lover, and anything in between. All I asked was that she never pushed me away.

“She went to get Max,” I explained to Ms. Ellison. “I stayed behind to add the final touches to his new fire truck bed.”

“I see,” she smiled, lifting her brows in wonder. “And I noticed the other night that your truck never even left.”

“Ms. Ellison,” I gasped playfully. “Don’t tell me you’re spying on the neighbors and fishing for gossip.”

She placed her hands on her hips and scoffed, shaking her head before looking back at me. “I sure the hell am, and I have the candle to make it official. Besides, who do you think is reporting back to Edgar and Elenor?”

Edgar and Elenor?For fucks sake.

It figured that Grams and Gramps had her on the payroll. She was probably in charge of keeping them apprised on all things Easton and Jesse since I hadn’t been as open as I was the last time I was at Sunday dinner. But why would I be? Gramps had me freaked the fuck out. All his mind games were too much for me to handle while also coming to terms with the fact that I was falling for the new girl in town.

“Well what did they have to say about spending the night?”

“Just asked me to bring over these,” she sighed, handing me a bag that she had set down on the porch after I answered the door.

Looking in the plastic grocery bag, I nearly choked as I realized she had brought over a box of condoms.

“Ms. Ellison!” I laughed loudly. “You were my high school English teacher, and now you’re bringing me condoms?”

“I liked it better when I was working for you,” she sighed again. “Any more notebooks you need me to send?”

“Not right now,” I laughed. “But I may need to remind you, Gramps, and Grams that I’m not a kid. I know how to buy my own…things.”

It didn’t seem like the right time to tell her I wasn’t exactly a virgin. She and my grandparents were way past due if they were going to provide protection for my brothers and me to have sex.

“Well,” Ms. Ellison started backing off the porch and waving me away. “Just have fun, you crazy kids. I haven’t had the chance to chat with Jesse, and now I’m headed to Atlanta to see my kids for a few days, so I wanted to say goodbye. Tell her I’ll be home Thursday.”

“I sure will,” I smiled and waved, watching as she slowly made her way out of the gate and across the street back to her house.

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