Page 35 of Tempting Tessa

“Well, you know that we will do anything we can to help you with Ty, so don’t worry about it if they can’t accommodate your schedule request. I’ll just bring him home to your house after school, that way he is already home and fed when you get off work.”

“Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate it. I know Jake has also offered to help with him when I’m working. His schedule will really slow down once they complete the building they are on until next spring when new jobs start.”

“Just remember to lean on all of us that love you and are willing to help you, Tessa. You don’t have to do all of this alone. You have a great man who loves you and wants to help you. Don’t push him away.”

Wow, my mom really knows how to read me. I still forget that I can lean on Jake when it comes to Ty. I don’t ever want Jake, or Ty for that matter, to feel like I expect him to step in and be the second parent. Ty is my responsibility and I don’t want him to feel like I’m pushing him off to anyone else. It took me a long time after Matt died to not feel guilty for how much time my parents give to helping me with him without a single complaint.

“I know, Mom, I’m trying to get better about that. It will just take time to readjust to having someone besides you and Dad that I can count on so much.”

“I know, Tessa, I just see how much he loves both you and Ty and how great of a man he is for the both of you,” she tells me as she leans over to give me a hug. “Let’s get these cookies packed up for your trip.”

“Sounds good, I need to get Ty home and get our pizza ordered for dinner tonight,” I say as we both start packaging up the cookies they baked today.

“Hey, Ty, we need to get packed up and head home soon. Grams is going to pack up the cookies for us to take with us. Can you make sure all your toys are picked up, please?”

“Yes, Mom,” he calls back to me. He’s been bouncing off the walls all week excited for our weekend away.

Ty and I pack up and leave my parents’ house. I ordered our pizza before I left, so we swing in and pick it up on our way home. We make it home a little after 5, so I get Ty his pizza so that he doesn’t start whining about being hungry until Jake gets home. I’m a little shocked when Jake walks in just a couple of minutes later. I wasn’t expecting him for another hour or so.

“Hey, babe,” he says as he slips his arm around me, pulling me into a hug.

“Hey, did you already go get your stuff?”

“Yep, I left as soon as I was done with the inspector.”

“Awesome, I have everything packed except for the cooler items that I’ll pack once you’re on your way home tomorrow so that we are ready to load and hit the road once you are here.”

“Sounds like you have everything under control,” he says as he leans in for a kiss.

“Yep, I am so ready to get out of town for the weekend.”

“Me too, babe, me too.”

“Hungry?” I ask him as I pull out plates for our pizza.

“Starving, I didn’t eat much for lunch.”

“Well, let’s eat, and then we can make sure I have everything we will need.”

“Sounds good, beautiful.”

We both get our pizza and join Ty at the table to eat. Once we’re done, we clean up and go over what I had packed and added the items Jake had picked up from his house. We are ready for our weekend away!! We play some with Ty until it’s bedtime and then settle in for the evening.

“Come here, beautiful,” Jake says as I come downstairs from putting Ty to bed. “I can’t wait to get away with you this weekend.”

“I know, I’ve been looking forward to it since you brought it up. I’m ready to be where it’s quiet and we can just relax and sit around the fire and grill and just be.”

“I know, me too. This summer has been crazy with this big job and with the contract I just signed with the company, it looks like the next few summers will be just as crazy.”

“I’m so proud of you for landing that contract! That will be huge for your company.”

“Thanks, babe, I really appreciate it,” he tells me as he leans in to kiss me. “Ready to head up to bed?”

“Sure, today wore my butt out. I’m ready to curl up in your arms.”

“I’m sure I can accommodate that for you,” he tells me while winking at me and copping a feel.

I just laugh at him. “Ok, horny one, let’s go to bed. If you’re good, I might let you continue to cop a feel without your clothes on.” I wink at him.

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