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I can only wonder if she’s lost her damn mind. I nod in response to her comment, checking that my super glued grin is still attached to my face before I start clearing the table. Jeannette follows me into the kitchen with a huge dish of mac and cheese.

“Go ahead and pack all the leftovers up and keep them here,” she says. “Boss can take them to work. God knows we don’t need them.”

“Okay, sure.” I pull a few plastic Tupperware containers out of the cupboard.

“She’ll stop eventually, you know,” Jeannette says in a low voice.

“What do you mean?” I feign innocence.

She chuckles. “The whole kid thing. She did the same thing to me for years. But she finally gave up, and…now, she’s moved on to you. Don’t be mad. She can’t help it.”

I shake my head. “I’m not mad at all. Very uncomfortable around snotty one and number two, but not mad. I don’t want to let her down, but I can’t do that.” I hold out my arm, moving it in a circular motion toward the glass patio door and the boys on the other side.

“And you don’t have to. You and Boss need to live the life that makes you happy. Mom will get on board with your plans, eventually. You’ve already made her happier than I have. You love her baby boy. Because of you, at least one of her children ‘won’t die alone.’” She frames the last three words in air quotes. “As she likes to say.”

I grin, loving how down-to-earth and cool Jeannette is. “So no plans for love on your horizon? No special guy on your radar?”

“A man? God, no. Children? Nope.” The ‘p’ makes a popping sound. “A woman? Maybe, if I could find the right one?”

How did I not know that Jeannette was gay?

“Do your mom and brother know? I ask, wondering if Jeannette has just shared something with me that others don’t know.

“Of course. We’ve all known since I was twelve. They’re cool with it. It’s nothing like that. My mom is just sad, thinking I’m going to end up alone. I’m not against finding a partner. It’s just not a priority. I work twelve-hour shifts six days a week, and I take care of Mom. When am I supposed to date?”

“Yeah, that’s hard.”

She shrugs. “As I said, it’s really a non-issue for me. I’m happy. But it does give you some insight as to why Mom is trying so hard with you.”

“We’re not even married, though. I just moved in last month. Even if kids were my thing, it’d be a little soon.” I shake my head.

“Yeah, well…our mom has no chill.” She shrugs, and the two of us start laughing.

* * *

“By the way,you never told me that Jeannette was gay,” I say to Boss as we walk up to Deacon’s door.

Since it’s cold, the weekly barbecues at Deacon’s place have been put on hold. Cam and Deacon have replaced them with game night every Sunday. Sometimes there’s a big group from the firehouse. Tonight, it’s just the four of us.

“I didn’t? Honestly, it’s such a normal thing that I don’t think to bring it up. I wasn’t hiding it or anything,” he says, holding a six-pack of beer in each hand.

“No, I didn’t think you were, but it gives some insight into your mom’s baby fever. Jeannette says she never wants kids.”

Boss nods. “Oh, yeah, I know. She’s been adamant about that since she was young. And I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Mom…She’s a little much, at times.”

“No, it’s fine. The subtle hints here and there don’t really bother me. But please tell her not to ever bring Jake and Blake over again. They have serious issues.”

“They do not.” He laughs. “They’re just rambunctious little boys.”

“Who pick their noses and eat it! Seriously, our home has to be a no Jake and Blake zone or I may just lose my mind.”

“Okay, well, I wouldn’t want that. I’ll talk to her.” He leans in and kisses my forehead.

“Thank you.”

The front door swings open. “Hey, guys!” Cam greets us.

Cam looks perfectly at ease and happy in her surroundings. She’s prepared a bunch of snacks and finger foods that she’s proudly displayed on the counter. She’s just so…happy. It’s the best.

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