“I don’t think he’ll have a problem with it.”
“You can’t know that. It’s a big deal.”
We’re driving into town to get my son at the dance studio. It’s been a week since we’ve been back together. Andy’s grandparents have looked after him two nights this week so I can see her.
My lips twitch. “You’re cute when you’re nervous. But I don’t want to hide you from anyone, especially Andy. Whatever comes, we’ll deal with together. You’re my girlfriend now.”
She shifts in her seat. “Girlfriend? That’s so…old-fashioned.”
“What do you want me to call you?”
“Queen Katrina would be fine.”
I can’t help laughing.
We get Andy from ballet, complete with his cast.
“Kat!” he squeals, running at her when he sees her.
They catch up in the truck, him filling her in on everything she missed in the past couple of weeks.
When we get back home, I pull him aside in his room.
“Bud, I want to talk to you about something.”
“Ballet?”
“Not ballet.”
I clear my throat. “Kat and I are dating. I know she’s special to you too, but she’s special to me in a different way.”
I try to explain that she doesn’t replace Andy’s mom, but I have feelings for her.
My beautiful, incredible son listens with wide eyes.
“Do you have questions?”
He frowns, then nods. “Will she still be my friend?”
“Of course. But she won’t be your nanny.”
“Oh. Who’ll be my nanny?”
“I’m not sure we need one. But if we do, we’ll find someone great.”
“I guess that would work. As long as Kat’s still here.”
“She will be. In fact…” I glance at the doorway. “What would you say if I asked her to move back in with us?”
His expression brightens. “Do it!”
“I don’t know if she’ll say yes,” I caution.
“Ask her with ice cream.”
We make dinner together and it’s perfect.
The three of us catch up and Andy’s happy and Kat’s happy and my chest is so full I’m afraid it might burst at any second.
By the time we’re done, I’m dying to be alone with her.
Andy goes to bed and I find her in the kitchen.
“I want to ask you something.”
I reach into the freezer and pull out the ice cream.
“Andy said I should do it with ice cream.”
She laughs. “Smart kid.”
I take a bite, the cold making my mouth numb, then skim my lips over her skin.
“Move in with me.”
Her brows rise.
“I’m in love with you, Kat. I want you here with me.”
Her eyes move over mine, and they’re full of emotion.
Anticipation.
Hope.
All the things I’ve wanted from her, and more I never dared to dream of.
“I love you, too. But…I need to check a few things.”
The words bring me back to earth.
“Such as?”
“That you’re still good in bed.”
“Ah.” I relax a degree. “Well, let me set about proving that to you.”
I lift her in my arms and she laughs.
I carry her to my room, where I’ve wanted to have her for weeks.
Then I show her.
EPILOGUE
KAT
Three months later
“You think she’ll like it? Is it weird to have a six month living together anniversary gift?”
“Not at all. She’ll love it,” I tell Jules over the phone. “I’ll see you at the club tonight? I’m just picking up Andy at dance then we’ll be over later tonight.”
I rush toward the dance studio and in the doors.
It’s the end of January, but it’s been unseasonably warm and there’s barely a whisper of snow.
Inside, the dance moms are clustered around waiting for their offspring.
When Liv announces class is finished, the children head this way.
“Hey, Andy!”
He looks up, his face exploding in a huge grin. “Kat!”
His arm is long since healed, though his favorite teacher found ways to accommodate him.
Liv smiles, approaching along with Andy.
“How was class? Mean teacher?”
Liv sticks out her tongue.
“Miss O is the best,” he says. “And if she wasn’t”—he cuts Liv an innocent look that’s one I’ve seen on Daniel plenty of times—“you shouldn’t say that in front of her.”
She scoffs and Andy giggles.
I reach into my bag to produce the envelope I opened earlier. “I got some news today…I got into grad school. With a scholarship.”
“Yes, I knew it!”
Liv hugs me and we jump around.
Murmurs go up from the dance moms and I glance back to see what’s happened.
“Dad!” Andy cries, delighted, as Daniel enters wearing a long gray coat with the collar flipped up. “What are you doing here?”
When he sees his son, his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t let you walk home.”
After ruffling Andy’s hair, his gaze lifts and locks on mine. “Hi.”
My heart flips over.
“Hi.”
“I thought I was picking him up and taking him to Mary’s.”
“Dammit. I thought I was.”
Andy dissolves into laughter.
I feel all of it.
Love. Acceptance. Compassion.
I hold up the letter.
“Grad school?”
He straightens, instantly as tense as I was when I got the envelope. “It’s a yes?”
I press my lips together but can’t hide my smile. “Yes.”
The feeling of joy inside me is so huge, it’s a wonder my ribs don’t crack.
More than that, it’s pride and accomplishment.
I made this happen. But not alone.
“Then it’s a good thing we’re celebrating tonight.”
Daniel pulls me against him and kisses me.
Months ago, he would never have done this in public.
But we’re in a good place.
Since I moved back in, he decided not to hire another nanny. Daniel got his tenure, and now has more time for family and relaxing. We hang out with Liv and Sawyer and Jules and Tess, plus the other profs on the street.
I’ve been trying to keep my grades high since I decided to apply to grad school. Dressing like a good student isn’t enough, but I’m figuring out how to get my work done. When I have a moment of stress, I can vent to the girls, or beg a massage from my hot older boyfriend who, as a bonus, has more than his share of killer study tips.
Andy loves having me around, and I adore him. He’s the sweetest kid, and even if planning for an eight-year-old is extra work sometimes, it’s entirely worth it.
Angel is a speed demon. He still escapes at least twice a week, but it’s usually into the fenced back yard where Andy lures him back with lettuce and the promise of snuggles.