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I snickered. “Have a good evening with D.J., Mom. Okay?”
My eyes found hers and she nodded slowly.
“I will. I promise.”
I let myself out of the car and watched Mom drive away. I waved at her, wanting nothing more than to go right back to the house while she wasn’t there and give that man a piece of my mind. I hated that she was back with him. I hated it, because I’d actually believed her the last time she told me it was over. I felt like we’d bonded over that moment. Bonded over our hurt and our pain. Yet, here she was, giving him another chance.
Then again, I’d given Clint a lot of chances, too.
I walked up to the front door and knocked. While I was nervous about meeting Clint’s stepmother for the first time, formally, it didn’t abate the butterflies in my stomach. I was anxious to see him. Anxious to hold him. Anxious to be in his presence again.
And when the front door opened, Clint smiled at me.
“Hey there, beau—oh!”
I threw myself into his arms, unable to contain my laughter. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close as his body cloaked itself around mine. His arms hugged my back. He pulled me into the house, kicking the front door closed with his foot. I buried my face into the crook of his neck, feeling how much stronger he already was.
“You’re upright.”
Clint chuckled. “And you’re here.”
I giggled. “I am. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Are we going to stay like this until we get to the kitchen?”
“Depends. Do we have to go to the kitchen right now?”
He snickered. “Nope. Not yet.”
I drew in his scent, clinging to him as he held me tighter. His strength shocked me. Especially after such a terrible accident. I kissed his neck. His shoulder. His jawline. I nuzzled my nose against his as I slowly pulled away from him. His hand cupped the back of my head as his emerald eyes danced between mine.
And as he fisted my hair softly, I pressed my lips against his.
“Mmm, hello there, gorgeous.”
I smiled. “Hi, handsome.”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
“Ahem.”
I jumped at the sound of the female voice, but Clint kept his arm wrapped around my waist. I saw his stepmother standing there, clad in a beautiful yellow dress and a crimson red apron. She smiled at the two of us before she came closer, her bare feet padding on the floor. She held her hand out to me, taking mine within hers. And I smiled at how warm and welcoming she became.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Rae. I’m Cecilia, Clint’s stepmother. I’ve heard a great deal about you, too.”
I paused. “You have?”
Clint chuckled. “Over the past few hours, at least.”
I nodded. “That sounds about right.”
Cecilia giggled. “Don’t worry, he’s not hiding you.”
I shook my head. “I never would have thought that.”
Clint squeezed my side and I leaned closer into him as Cecilia dropped my hand.
