Page 59 of Call it Fate

CHAPTER25

Emalee

“Mom, can I give it to him?”

“Sure, honey.” I handed him the basket of carefully wrapped muffins and his favorite strawberry jam we had put together as a housewarming gift, along with some pictures Iain had drawn for his refrigerator.

Things were going so smoothly between Zach and Iain. They were for us, too. He’d been affectionate and kept finding ways to touch me, like letting our fingers brush if he handed something to me or putting his arm around me if we watched TV after Iain went to bed. He pitched in with meals, always choosing to stand close to my workspace. But other than a sweet peck on the forehead or cheek, he hadn’t tried to kiss me again.

If he was trying to drive me crazy, it was officially working.

Still, by coming here, I worried that Iain didn’t understand this wasn’t permanent. Zach had moved in a couple of weeks ago, but we’d never been to visit. I knew Zach had fixed up a space in one of the rooms so Iain would be comfortable. I’d helped him pick toys and bedding I knew Iain would like.

Still, Zach had seen how hard that had been and never pushed to have him stay until he called yesterday to invite us both over. There was no logical reason to say no, and it was an obvious next step, no matter how the future played out.

Already, Iain was so attached, calling him “Dad” any chance he had. I wasn’t sure who was more excited by that, Iain or Zach. I knew Zach would never dismiss Iain from his life, but how would Iain react if Zach and I got together only for it to not work out in the end?

I smoothed my hands down my jeans, trying to rid them of the moisture that gathered there as Iain rang the doorbell.

Zach opened the door with a huge grin. “Hey, buddy! How’s my boy?”

Iain thrust the basket into his dad’s hand, who paid an appropriate tribute. “Did you make these? They smell so good. And you remembered my favorite jelly, too.”

“Well, that’s easy,” Iain said matter-of-factly. “It’s my favorite, too.”

Zach winked at me. “Proof that you have good taste.”

I rolled my eyes at his pun, but his smile was so infectious that I had to grin back.

“Come on inside. I’ll show you around.” Zach held the door open, and we got our first look inside what would be his home for the next couple of months.

“Wow.” Iain ran inside, spinning around in a circle with wide eyes. “It’s so big!”

I was thinking the same. It almost seemed a little over the top for just one person.

Zach smiled, but his eyes were focused on me. “Come on,” he said softly, guiding me further into the house with a hand to my back.

I could tell by the lopsided grin and eagerness in his eyes that Zach was interested in my opinion. We hadn’t talked about Iain spending time here with his dad alone, but I knew that was on the near horizon. Of course, he wanted the extra time with his son. I appreciated that Zach at least cared enough about my approval of his place.

Iain took off, exploring the room that Zach had turned into his. I don’t know when he’d had the time, but it was decorated in shades of red with a racing theme; it was certainly more than what I’d helped him pick out. There were copies of Iain’s favorite books and a few of the games he loved. I knew it was going to be hard to pull Iain away from this house and all the extra space, and I felt a twinge, knowing that I couldn’t offer the same to him on my own.

“How did you get all this?”

“I might have gone a little overboard with one-clicking,” he answered, his face a little red. “I know you said not to, but I’ve missed a lot of birthdays and holidays. I thought it might help him feel at home here.”

He must have seen the dismay on my face. Not that Zach didn’t deserve that time, but what happened if Iain liked it here better than the home I’d created?

“Hey, I want him to be comfortable here. I’m his dad, not just some playmate. It’s going to take time, but we’ll all get there, Em.”

I sighed. “I’m being selfish.”

“No, you’re protective. You’re a great mom, Emalee. You’ve done an amazing job raising our son. I have so much to make up for, but I don’t mean to overshadow you. But I can help. I want to help. You’re not in this alone anymore.”

Iain had no hesitation in letting Zach know how much he liked it, especially when he hit the basement level and saw an air hockey table, an enormous television, and gaming controls.

I raised an eyebrow at Zach, who looked back a little sheepishly. “I like my toys, too.”

“Dad! Can we play?”

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