“It’s nice that you have those memories with your grandma. My grandparents passed away before I was born, so I never really got to experience that.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’m really glad I did too. River’s lucky to live so close to his grandparents and get to see them as often as he wants.”
Just thinking of how close River was to my parents made me smile. He might not have a dad, but he had a family—grandparents, especially—who loved him more than life itself.
“Where is River?” Bennett asked.
I glanced at the time on my phone. “My mom should be dropping him off soon. She picks him up from school on Thursdays and Fridays so I can book later shoots. He loves hanging out at the bookstore with her.”
Mom owned Bibliolater, a cute bookshop downtown. People loved going there for the unique displays or just to hang out, and they traveled from far away just to see her store. She’d really made it into something special, though she was at the point in her life where she worked the hours she wanted.
“I bet. How did it go today?” he asked.
“Pretty good. Tristan and Tessa have the cutest kids.” I smiled. “They came for family photos today.”
“That’s great.”
It was great—for the most part. I frowned, thinking back on the shoot. Tessa had seemed exhausted.
“What’s that look for?” he asked.
“I felt bad for Tessa. She had a migraine or something. I offered to reschedule, but she didn’t want to. She’d already canceled once before, and she felt guilty about it.” I’d told her it didn’t matter, but she’d insisted.
“Hm.” He frowned.
“Hm, what?”
“Tristan’s mentioned headaches to me too. As well as dizziness and nausea.”
“What do you think it means?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Couldn’t say. Though I think she should see a doctor.”
I chewed on my lip then asked, “Do you think she could be pregnant?”
“It’s possible.” Though he didn’t seem convinced. A timer chimed, and he switched it off before opening the oven. “Let’s hope that’s what it is. I know they’ve always wanted a big family.”
I stepped closer, the scent making my mouth water. “Is that…garlic bread?”
“Yes.” He batted my hand away from the loaf he’d set on a cooling rack. “And you can’t have any until dinner.”
“Damn, Bennett. You really know how to spoil a girl. I mean—” My cheeks flushed with heat as I replayed my words. “Not that you were trying to spoil me or anything.”
He stepped closer, turning my face up toward his.
“Maybe I am,” he said, his voice low, dark.
And then the door opened, and River bounded into the house, talking a million miles a minute. Bennett and I stepped back from each other, and I turned to see my mom watching us curiously from across the room.
I blinked a few times, stunned by his response. By the way he was acting toward me. What the heck was that?
“Mrs. Beaudin,” Bennett said as River ran up to give him a hug. His skater shoes sparkled with all the rhinestones he’d begged me to let him glue on. “Good to see you.”
“You too.” She arched an eyebrow and surveyed the kitchen. “Something smells good. You taking good care of my daughter and grandbaby?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She nodded. “Good man.”
