Page 36 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

“How was the containment?” Mom licked some onion crisp off her lips. Her hand shook slightly as she ate some of her salad. A glob of Russian dressing landed on her thigh.

Caleb dabbed it with a napkin without missing a beat.

God, he was sweet. To my mom…to me.

“Sean? I asked a question.” Mom grinned.

I cleared my throat. “Good, we think it’s about 75 percent contained. But the vegetation might take years to return.”

We discussed the fire for a time.

The tuna was slimy. I gave Caleb half of my steak sandwich. The place had good dessert, though, a macaron filled with raspberries and lime cream.

“I hate to end this lovely time, boys, but I need my nap.” Mom yawned. “But I’m so glad you got to stop here on your way home.” She kissed my cheek. “Next time, please visit with Erin.”

“Promise to bring her when she gets back.”

Mom’s eyes filled. “Please do.” She then hugged Caleb. “I hope to see you again, too. And thank you for sharing with me.”

“Welcome.” Caleb squeezed her back. “Thanks for caring enough to ask.”

She released him with a smile. “You’re good for my son. I can tell. Wouldn’t you agree, Sean?”

“Mother,” I griped.

“I’ll give you guys a moment alone,” Caleb offered. “Meet you in the lobby.”

“Sounds good.”

“He really is thoughtful…” Mom began after he’d gone.

“Don’t.”

Mom brushed my warning aside. “And as lovely as can be. Smart. Kind. But more important is the way you look at him. It makes me so happy to see that. “

“It’s not...”

“Are you denying you’re interested in him?”

I blinked a few times. “I like him, but it’s complicated. He’s—he works for me.”

“I know you don’t like changes, son. But they come at you anyway. And not all of them are bad ones.”

“Uh. It isn’t exactly…”

“Of course it is. The question is, will you go for it? Because if you give that young man an opening, he’s going to take it. And I predict it will lead to many happy years.”

Wait. Was my mother suddenly a matchmakinggenius? Could she really know what Caleb would do if I kissed him again? If I asked him formorethan a kiss?

Mom watched me squirm a moment before taking pity on me. “All right, son. You two go at your own pace. But I’m all for it. Now, can I have a goodbye hug?”

“I can do you one better.” I got Erin on the phone. This time, they talked, and when the call ended my mother clutched the phone to her bosom.

“Thank you.” She hugged me.

“We will both be visiting you soon.”

“Maybe you, Erin, andCaleb,” she suggested.

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