Page 83 of Stay for Me
“Mom said you’re eating with us. You’re going to love her lasagna.”
Thank the Lord that the one day I actually planned a dinner was tonight. Movie night was last night, which is always pizza, and then I try to make up for the fact that I don’t cook nearly as much as my kids deserve and make a grand meal the next night.
Lasagna is a fan favorite in this house. It was a recipe that my Italian neighbor gave me, and it’s amazing.
“I can’t wait to try it,” Jacob says.
“How do you think rehearsals went?”
I lift my hand. “No, sir. You’re not talking about the play. Jacob isn’t here for that, he’s our friend, and we’re going to treat him as such.”
Sebastian lets out a long breath through his nose. “Didn’t you say that we ask our friends about their day?”
“Nice try, son.”
“I’m being considerate,” Sebastian tries again.
“You’re being a nudge, and I don’t like it. The play is off the list of approved topics.”
Jacob doesn’t need more pressure than I know he currently feels.
“Fine,” Sebastian grumbles. “How was your dayotherthan the play?”
He chuckles. “It was good.” Jacob drops into a low whisper. “The play part was awesome too, but don’t tell your mom.”
I roll my eyes. “Deliver me from all the boys in my life.”
Sebastian and Jacob high five, and then Sebastian heads off to his room to finish his game before dinner.
“He is probably on with his friends from California,” I explain.
“Hey, I get it. As cool as I am, I’m still old.”
I laugh. “I assure you that you outrank all of us.”
He looks around and then grabs my hips, pulling me close to him. I gasp and then his lips are on mine. It’s not a long kiss, but it still makes my toes curl. “I missed you.”
My hands are on his chest, and I sigh like those girls in the movies. “I saw you today.”
“But I couldn’t kiss you.”
“No, you couldn’t.”
“And I really wanted to.”
I want to all the damn time. “I’m glad you did.”
He leans in again, giving me another kiss that is less frantic and a little sweeter. I swear that he’s able to bring me to my knees far too easily. My kids could walk in at any moment, but all I care about is the way his lips feel on mine.
There’s a noise from the kitchen, and Jacob releases me. I take a step back and try to return my heart rate to normal.
Melanie exits, says hello to Jacob, and then heads to her room.
Jacob walks around, taking everything in. “The house looks great, Brenna.”
“Thanks. I’ve tried to keep with the integrity of it, especially since it used to belong to Devney’s brother.”
“Jasper was a good man. It was a shame that he and Hazel died.”
