Page 80 of Cry For You

Mom, I’m going to go,they just pulled up. And my pie…”

“You’re making cake and pie? Is there doubt?”

“Doubt about what? That’s the saying, but I’m just making a pie. Landon loves my pies. Peekaboo Surprise is his favorite.”

“Please let that be the only peekaboo surprise for tonight. Unlike the last time, when everyone was more than surprised when we walked in on a morning-after date. Which shouldn’t have been. Which led to way more questions than any of us were ready to answer.”

“Mom. Don’t bring that up again. It worked out fine. Landon and I are together, and the kids are fine.”

"He’s still married. He’s still staying at his home with his wife and child. You should slow this down. At least till he moves out and signs the divorce papers.”

Here it is. It was only a matter of time before she got to this. “You saw how good everything was the other night. You were even laughing and enjoying his company. You saw how great he and Jacob got along. Jacob was so happy.”

“Yes, I saw all of that. I also saw you weren’t exactly happy when you came back from the market. But I let the two of you work it out. I’m guessing it had something to do with your new relationship and his wife?”

“We’re fine. Something unexpected came up, and we dealt with it. It’s the way it is. We’re fine.”

“A lot of ‘fines’ in this conversation. Usually means things may not be as ‘fine’ as you want.”

“Mom,” I sigh, exasperated. “Just be happy for me. Can you, please? No lectures, just let it be.”

“Fine. If that’s what you want, fine. Everything’s fine, I’m glad you’re fine.”

I make motions like I’m tearing my hair out. “Mom…all right, I’ll talk to you later.” I end the call, trying to get back to the excited mood I was in before my mother’s call of doom and gloom. Picking up my spatula, I slather chocolate frosting around the cake, spinning it on the stand. The door bursts open, ushering in a commotion of voices. The boys are talking about how late they’re going to play, Landon telling them there’s a cap on that.

“Hi, Mom!” Jacob runs through the kitchen, giving me a wave.

“Hi, Jacob’s Mom!” Jackson follows behind him. Neither one of them notices the cake I’m decorating.

“Hi.” I shake my head and resume icing the cake. Not a minute later, strong hands span my waist, pulling me into a solid body, spreading a smile across my face. “I’m making a cake.”

“I see.” He kisses my cheek, chin on my shoulder, giving me all sorts of feels with his body pressed against mine. “No pie? Oh, my. I was looking forward to some of your pie. It’s the best pie I’ve ever had.” He’s brushing the tip of his nose against my neck in a husky voice, warming my cheeks as he keeps talking. “Nothing better. Moist, warm, and sweet. Like you.” He licks the side of my neck, making me shiver.

Arching back, I rub my lower half against the swelling bulge behind his fly. “Would I really do that to you? Of course there’s pie.” I lick the spatula suggestively, letting my tongue slide up and down.

He spins me around; I smile, and my arms wind around his neck, still holding the spatula. He smiles back, holding me close, staring into my eyes, gradually changing the charge between us to something more than what it was moments ago. He leans down, his mouth close to mine, caressing my lips with his.

Kissing a spot of frosting off, he says, “I love pies. I love you.” For a minute I don’t realize what he has said, taken so far in by his tender kiss. As it registers across my muddled brain, the kids come running in, and he backs away to get a glass of water to hide his rising situation. That makes me smile for two reasons: he’s flustered, almost caught in a compromising position by our kids, and my heart is singing with three little words.

I love you.

“Who wants pie?” I say, rescuing him from having to turn around.

All I get is an unenthusiastic “What kind of pie?” from Jackson.

I smirk. Wasn’t for them, anyway. So I say the magic word for them. “Cake! I made peanut butter-chocolate cake.” They cheer.

Landon says, “Everyone likes cake until they have the pie. Mmmm, pie’s the best.” He winks at me. I bite my lip, holding back a goofy smile.

“Dad, what are you doing?” Jackson asks.

“Getting a drink of cold water. I’m kinda overheated.” He smirks.

“We’re not hot,” Jacob says.

“In a few years, you will be.”

I laugh, changing topic. “Hey, guys, over there in the cabinet are gummy bears. You can eat as much as you want if you promise to eat dinner when it’s ready, and later you can eat as much junk as you want.” They open the cabinets, excitedly grabbing their goodies, and run off again. “I just saved your ass. Something you want to say to me?”

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