Page 64 of So in Love
“She said she wanted to get more information—about the family.I’m looking into one of the sons, Turner Stowe.I have a friend who can help me, but she’s been on vacation.Once she’s back and caught up, she’ll get back to me.”
“That sounds like a good plan.I hope she’s able to help.”
“Me too,” Jamie said.“In the meantime, I’d really like to be able to share what Mom and I found with Luke and Cam.I hate keeping secrets.”
“Sure, I get it.You should tell them.”Dad studied him a moment.“And Crystal too, maybe?”
The tension that had dissipated came back with roaring force.Jamie clasped the wood arms of the chair.“Maybe.”
Dad sat back in his chair.“Anything going on between the two of you?I got a vibe when she was over for dinner, and I notice you’ve been busier than normal lately.Mom’s offered to bring you dinner once or twice, and you said you were busy.”
Jamie didn’t see a point in not telling him.“Um, yeah, we’re kind of seeing each other.Nothing formal, just hanging out when she’s in town.”Suddenly, he thought of a reason not to tell him—Mom.Duh.He was an idiot.“Can you not tell Mom, though?”
Dad blinked at him and chuckled.“So it’s not okay for her to ask you to keep secrets, but you can ask me?”
“Ouch.”Jamie shook his head.“Why do I feel like I’m about to get detention?”
Dad laughed louder.“We don’t give detention anymore.But I could make an exception.”He was kidding.Right?
“I assume you’re kidding.You can tell Mom.I just don’t want any pressure.”
Dad held up his hand with a tilt of his head.“Say no more.I know your mother better than anyone.I will make sure she knows it’scasual.”
“Thanks.”There was perhaps a little more to it than that.“I’m thinking she doesn’t like Crystal very much either.”
“Why, because of how Crystal sprang the KKK connection?”Dad exhaled.“That was rough, but Mom’s not a grudge holder.”Were they talking about the same person?Mom still occasionally mentioned the girl who’d declined Jamie’s invitation to prom.And not in pleasant terms.
Dad seemed to think better of that comment and added, “She’s not a consistent grudge holder—she’ll always find fault with people who hurt her children, and less so with people who hurt her.When you’re a parent, you’ll understand.”
And there was another person who assumed he’d have children.What did other people know about him that he didn’t?
“I just don’t want Crystal to feel uncomfortable.”
“Got it.”Dad gave a firm nod.“I’ve got your back, son.Always.”
Jamie knew that.
A short while later, he parked in the garage at the lofts and went into the lobby.He stopped short at seeing Crystal sitting on the sofa, a bag of groceries at her feet.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” he said, going to offer her a hand up.
She batted her lashes at him as she put her fingers in his.“Always such a gentleman.”
He snagged the bag of groceries and walked with her to the elevator, their hands still joined.“What’s for dinner?”
She pushed the Up button.“Pasta primavera with chicken, and some fresh sourdough from Barley and Bran.”
“Mmm.Sounds great.”The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside.Once again, she hit the button.
“How was your day?”she asked.
“Good.”
“Mine too.Great, actually.I’ll tell you about it when we get upstairs.”
“Excellent.”He leaned over and kissed her, his lips teasing hers until the elevator chimed its arrival at his floor.
When he let her into the loft, he belatedly realized his kitchen was a bigger disaster than normal.He’d been looking for something that morning, and consequently, it looked as if the usual clutter had cloned itself.
