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I made my presence known and flicked Forrest’s light on and off a few times. “Say goodnight to Justin, baby. It’s time for a story and bed.”
“Can Justin read me my story tonight, Mom?” Forrest came out from under his blanket with his puppy dog eyes in full effect. “Please?”
“Justin doesn’t have the book, Forrest.”
“I can run over and get it.” Justin’s eagerness to do such a simple task for Forrest showed me how much he was trying. He sounded so full of hope that I couldn’t say no. Not to both of them.
“Come on. I’ll toss it down the stairs to you.” I grabbed the book from the side table and handed the walkie talkie back to Forrest. “You’re going to end up very spoiled, aren’t you?”
Forrest snuggled into his bed and wrapped his arm around his stuffed monkey. “Grandpa says I was born spoiled.”
I laughed and nodded. “Grandpa is right. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be right here!” He watched me leave and then I could hear the sound of his little feet on the floor, hurrying after me. Listening wasn’t always his strong suit, clearly. I didn’t bother correcting him, fully understanding his excitement to see Justin.
I opened the door and gasped when Justin’s chest appeared in my vision. I gripped the book to my stomach and shook my head at him. “You scared the hell out of me!”
His eyes drank in my short pajamas and his lips curved in a hungry smile. “I wanted to see you and waiting at the bottom of the stairs wouldn’t give me a good enough view.”
Forrest reached around me and grabbed Justin’s hand. “Come on! You’re already here, Justin! You can just read to me now.”
Justin looked like he wanted to come in more than anything but he hesitated. “You’d better ask your mom first. You can’t just invite people inside by yourself, Forrest.”
Forrest looked up at me. “Can he, Mom?”
I bit my lip and nodded. I had no excuse to refuse him. Forrest wouldn’t understand that the reason I didn’t think it was a good idea was because it would leave Justin and I alone after he fell asleep. “Sure. Come on in.”
Justin slipped past me, his focus shifting to Forrest. “Are there voices I’m supposed to do? I could get away with being subpar over the walkie, but like this? I need to bring my A-game.”
I closed and locked the door before following them to Forrest’s room. I tried to see the toy-filled space through Justin’s eyes and wondered if he thought I was a slob. I didn’t bother with trying to keep the space perfect, not when Forrest was a one-boy-demo team.
I motioned for Justin to sit on the bed next to Forrest and handed him the book. “I do some voices, but Forrest likes to tell me they’re not very good. He’s a critic.”
Forrest giggled. “Mom! All your voices sound like Grandpa’s friend. He lost all his teeth and now he sounds funny.”
Justin shuddered and pretended to look terrified. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this kind of judgment. Go easy on me, kid. This is my first time reading a bedtime story.”
“You’ll be better than Grandma. I pretend to fall asleep fast, just so she’ll stop reading.”
“Forrest!” I laughed, completely shocked by his admission. “You’re so sneaky. Maybe when it’s time to ground you when you’re older, I’ll have Grandma read to you all day and night as your punishment. Now I know your weakness.”
He shook his head hard and fast while clutching his monkey. “I’ll never get in trouble again!”
I looked at the wall clock and grunted. “You’ll end up in trouble with Ms. Jenny tomorrow if you don’t get to sleep soon. I’ll be in the kitchen if either of you need anything.”
“I love you, Mommy.” Forrest held his hand out to me and I smiled at him. I hoped he never got too old for a hug from his mom.
I tried to ignore how close I was to Justin as I leaned over and hugged Forrest tight. Then I kissed his cheek and nose before doing the same to the monkey. “I love you, too, Forrest. And you, Mr. Red Butt.”
Forrest called out when I tried to walk away. “Don’t forget Justin!”
I nearly choked. “Oh, Forrest, I don’t need to give Justin a goodnight kiss. He’s not going to sleep.”
“It’s fair, Mommy.”
Justin grabbed my waist and tugged me between his legs. “It’s fair, Violet.”
I rolled my eyes but to get it over with quickly, I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek and then I hesitated. Kissing his nose felt more intimate. We were so close already. I could already hear Forrest getting ready to correct me so I lowered my lips and kissed the tip of his nose. I felt his breath against my lips when I pulled back and my entire body heated. “Everything’s fair now. Great. You two read and I’ll be in the kitchen.”
