Page 104 of Stay for Me
As much as I hate to admit this, I remember Sebastian talking about an actress Jacob dated early in his career. “What about that one actress?”
“I was twenty. That wasn’t a relationship. It wasn’t real either. I don’t know how to be more, Brenna, but I really want you to show me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Brenna
Okay. I’m fine. This is not a big deal. Jacob has had dinner at the house and has been with the kids a bunch of times. I’m not freaking out.
I’m totally freaking out.
Jacob is coming for dinner tonight, and we’re planning to tell the kids we’re officially dating. Yeah, I’m a damn mess.
I’m standing in the kitchen, stirring the sauce, and trying to go over possible scenarios. This is the advice I would give, so I’m going to take it myself.
They could freak out like Sylvia did, but I don’t think that is the likely outcome. I think they’re going to be happy and excited, which if this relationship falls apart, would be a loss for my kids too.
And that’s the crux of my fear.
“Mom!” Melanie yells, causing me to drop the wooden spoon into the pot.
“Shit.”
She laughs. “I called you like five times.”
“Sorry, my mind is elsewhere.” I grab the very end of the spoon and toss it into the sink. When I turn to her, she’s staring at me. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
Melanie chews on her lower lip. “You’re nervous.” I don’t reply. “The only time I’ve seen you like this was when you had to tell us about Dad.”
“It’s nothing like that, Mel.”
“I didn’t think it was. I’m sure it’s that you plan to tell us about you and Jacob, as though we didn’t already know.”
“How could you know something that didn’t happen?” I counter.
“Please, Mom. Jennifer’s mom told her how she saw you guys kissing at the carnival. Then your lipstick was gone after you went out to the barn a few weeks ago.”
My cheeks burn, and I turn away. “That’s enough.”
Her voice goes a little higher, and she pokes my side. “You’re dating Jacob, and you’re afraid to tell us.”
I let out a deep breath and then face her. “Yes. I’m dating Jacob. Officially. Now. And, of course, I was nervous about telling you.”
Mel smiles. “We like him, and we sort of figured this was coming.”
“And that’s what makes me nervous, babe. He’s, like, a big star and this uber famous man. If we break up, who do you think this town and the people in it will turn on?”
My daughter, who is far too wise for her age, just shrugs. “Then they’re not people we want in our lives.”
“How did you get to be so smart?”
“Dad.”
I burst out laughing and pull her in for a hug. “I love you, Mel.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
There’s a knock at the door, and we break apart, both smiling. “Come on, let me go introduce you to my . . . boyfriend.”
