Page 26 of Summer with a Single Dad

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I said, understanding his grief. “Kayla sounds like she was an amazing woman and wonderful mother.”

“She was. I just wish we had more time with her. All Hudson knows about her is from the stories I’ve told him and the pictures I have.”

“She’ll always be a part of him. And of you. Keep her memory alive for him. My grandma always told me she’d be with me. There’s a comfort in that.”

“What about your parents?” he asked.

“That’s a story for another day.” I sighed, wanting to focus on him and Hudson. “They weren’t great. I was lucky I had my grandma. I don’t think I’d be the person I am today if it wasn’t for her.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I miss her so much.”

Chris held me close, both of us staying quiet as grief and memories of our loved ones washed over us.

Sharing and listening to Chris was more intimate than making love. I felt closer to him than any man before. I said a little prayer before closing my eyes, hoping that Hudson and I would hit it off and my presence wouldn’t upset him.

Chapter Twelve

Chris

“Holy shit, my parents are here!”

“Where?” Emily looked around my bedroom like they were hidden in plain sight.

Panic filled my face at the calls and texts I missed while Emily and I were in the shower. “Out in the backyard. They’ve been calling for the past fifteen minutes.”

“Oh, my God!” she screeched, brushing her hair like a mad woman.

“We have ten minutes,” I said.

“Oh, my God! They weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow.” She threw on her clothes like she was in a competition for the fastest dresser in the world.

“Yeah, well, they’re here now.”

“I know that, Chris,” she hissed, wrapping her hair into a bun on top of her head.

“I’m sorry, babe. I’m just?—”

“I know,” she said. “It’s okay.”

I dragged my hands over my face. “My mom said Hudson wanted to surprise me.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet. Oh, God. Hudson!” She smacked her palms to her face as if that could conceal her embarrassment.

“Baby, it’s fine.” We regarded each other from opposite sides of the bed. I typed furiously.

“You’re texting right now? Chris, you gotta get your ass in gear. They can’t see your room like this. They’ll know what we were doing!”

I kept my laughter inside while we pulled the sheets and covers up over the bed, tossed the pillows to the head, and grabbed any evidence of our romp in the sheets and shower.

“Should I hide?” she asked. “Do they know I’m here? Oh, God!”

Now, I was calm, and she was panicking.

“Yeah, go in the closet,” I said, fighting the urge to laugh again.

Her head whipped around. “Really?”

I barked a laugh, unable to control myself. “No, don’t be ridiculous.”

“How are you going to explain me? Oh, God!” she repeated.

---