Page 144 of Fresh Canvas
Any hope of mine to soften her punishment had lent way to a sense of justice and peace with my decision. The day the real Lake Attersee was rehung, as I watched hand in hand with Val, was one I’d never forget.
My now eleven-year-old came wandering into the living room, lanky as ever. He tried to smooth down his light brown cowlick, but it bounced right back up like Dad’s used to.
“What’s up, Mom?”
“There’s a friend here I’d like you to meet. I’ve been working with him at the museum.”
I opened the door to reveal Val’s towering form, fidgeting slightly, on our front step.
“Anthony, this is my friend, Val Russo. Val, this is my son, Anthony.”
Val offered a warm smile, his brown eyes twinkling. “Hey there. It’s nice to meet you.” Val held out a hand, but Anthony’sfreckled frown stayed firmly in place, his blue eyes sweeping over Val as if sizing him up.
“Soyou’rethe guy dating my mom?”
My jaw dropped. “Anthony Frank Willis! Where did you hear that?”
“Grandma talks really loud.” He shrugged, a devious smile breaking through. “It’s okay if you date; I’m fine with it.”
Anthony swung back to Val with a stony expression. “But if you hurt my mom, I’ve got a load of buddies just waiting to go.”
Val grinned, his shoulders shaking with a suppressed laugh. “I can respect that. And I promise I won’t hurt your mom.”
After a moment, Anthony finally shook Val’s large hand. “Deal. And I already know you’re taking us paintballing.”
I dropped my hands to my side in exasperation.
“Are therenosecrets in this house?”
“Nope.” Anthony laughed and gave me a hug. “Plus you never wear that shirt unless you’re getting messy. I’m great at noticing stuff. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a detective when I grow up.”
Val and I exchanged a look.
I expelled a shaky laugh. “Well, Val, come on in, I guess.”
Anthony pulled the door wide, making room for Val to step inside.
“Yeah, come on in,Valentine.”
I clapped a hand to my face.
Later that evening, Val and I sat on my living room floor in another impromptu picnic, leaning our backs against my new couch. Of course I had to purchase another clone of Val’s. Who was I kidding? Val’s couch had ruined me for life.
I nudged the empty pizza box with my fuzzy sock. “We should probably clean this up, huh?”
Val scoped the hallway, making sure Anthony was still packing to go to Ryan’s. With the coast clear, he tossed abrawny arm over my waist and tugged me flush against his body.
“Forget the cleaning. There’s no time!”
The urgency with which he pressed his lips to mine made me laugh mid-kiss. I loved how thoughtful he was being, easing our relationship into Anthony’s life at a comfortable pace.
After fully savoring his mouth with mine, I pulled away.
“Did you seriously just tell me to forgetcleaning?”
A grin tipped the corner of his lips. “I did. And I will every time if it means I get to kiss you, Adams.”
A door creaked down the hall and Val shot out of my arms.
