Page 77 of Forbidden Love

“Let her know you’ll figure it out together. If she needs to leave for her career, then you will too.”

My stomach dropped. “But I’ve never even thought about leaving. I love it here.” When I imagined me and Kylie together, it was always with my family.

“When you’re in a relationship, you make compromises. If you want her, you might need to follow her wherever she goes. Your father will understand.”

I didn’t want to move. I hated the idea of my kids growing up away from Mac’s and Sam’s, but Mom was right. If I was all in with Kylie, I needed to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

“If she stays, she’ll be giving up the life she came to love in Paris. The amazing restaurants, culture, and five-star hotels.”

“But she’d be getting me?” I teased.

Mom smacked me upside the head for that one. It wasn’t hard but enough to make me sober. “I love her. I’ll say and do whatever it takes to get her to see that.”

“You do right by that girl. She deserves the best.”

I nodded. “She does, and I’m going to show her that.”

“Tell her. Not just show her.” I was starting to understand how important words were to Kylie. She’d never had them from her family, and she needed them from me.

“Got it.” Then I drew my mother in for a tight hug. I was so lucky to have my parents in my life in a way that was supportive. “Thank you for being the best mom.”

Mom eased back and blinked, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“You have no idea how I need to hear that. As a parent, you second-guess everything, and I always wonder if I did right by you boys.”

“You were the best mother. You allowed us to be ourselves and supported us with love.”

Mom patted my cheek. “You’re my favorite.”

Mac walked in and did a double take at her proclamation. “I thought you didn’t pick favorites?”

Mom grinned. “He’s my favorite today.”

I stuck my tongue out at him behind Mom’s back.

Mac scowled at me. “I don’t know what you said to get her to say that, but—”

I leaned back against the counter, crossed my arms over my chest, and said, “I merely said she was the best mother in the world.”

“Suck-up,” Mac said.

“Boys. Enough. I made chocolate cake, and if you keep it up, you’re not allowed to have a slice.”

That shut us up, just like it had when we were kids. We were always compliant if dessert was on the table. Although we might have forgotten about it a time or two.

Mac grabbed the cake tray and took it into the dining room, where everyone had started a game of cards at the table.

“There’s no doubt in my mind you two will work it out.”

I let out a breath. “I hope so.”

“But don’t screw it up.” Mom grabbed plates and a cake knife and left the room.

I let my head drop back because I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t mess everything up. I wasn’t sure if Kylie felt the same way I did. But there was only one way to find out.

I ate cake with my family, packing a slice in a plastic container for Kylie. When I pulled into Kylie’s driveway, I realized I’d come to think of her cabin as home. It was a little premature since it had only been a short while and it was a rental. Would Kylie move in with me when my house was completed? Was it too soon to be thinking about the future? Would Kylie balk at anything more permanent than this weekend?

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