“Not a bad idea.” Duncan chuckled.
Katie came out of the office, a folder of paperwork tucked under her arm. “Okay, I have some paperwork I need to turn in, then we can go.”
Aurora stood up, smiling for Katie. “Let’s go down to the smoothie place and go over it there.”
They made their way to the smoothie shop on campus, put in their orders, then spread the paperwork out on a table while Duncan waited for their drinks.
“What do you think of CCA, Mom?”
“I think it’s exactly what you wanted, and I’m so happy for you.”
“But doyoulike it?”
“I like how safe it feels. And everyone seems friendly.”
“Yeah. So, you’re okay with this?” Katie bit her lip just like Aurora did, a worried look in her eye. Aurora smiled at her little dark-haired clone.
“Yes, I’m fine with it.” She pulled Katie in for a hug.
“Here we go!” Duncan came over to the table and spread out their drinks.
Aurora took a sip of hers. “Let’s get this paperwork done before the office closes!”
After dropping Katie’s application off at the office, they made their way back to Duncan’s car. “I think we should celebrate Katie’s scholarship. There’s a great seafood restaurant I know on the bay. We can go home and get changed, then I’ll take you both to dinner.”
“That sounds great!” Katie’s face lit up.
“That’s very sweet of you, Duncan.” As Katie walked ahead, Aurora spoke into his ear. “You bought dinner last night, too.”
“Eh, that was fast food.” He wrapped an arm around her while they walked. “And you’re my guests. That’s how I roll.”
“I can’t decide if you’re showing off or hiding a lack of cooking skill,” she teased, winking.
“Just for that, I’m going to make breakfast tomorrow.” He wagged his finger at her but flashed her that dazzling smile. She was giggling when they met Katie at the car.
“I am going to need to invest in a lot of sunscreen,” Katie said. “And it’s super-hot here.”
“That’s California for you,” Duncan said. “It helps when you hole yourself up in the office all day.”
Aurora snickered. “I wondered how you managed to avoid constant sunburn.”
There was nothing sexier than Duncan in an apron cooking pancakes. Well, maybe if he’d been shirtless. Day two of their trip was a visit to the San Diego Zoo, where Katie and Aurora cooed over the panda bears. Duncan bought them wide-brimmed hats to keep the sun off their faces. Day three was a trip to an art gallery. The charming Duncan chatted up the gallery owner and convinced him to look at Katie’s portfolio that she had linked on her phone. An old, stooped woman with white hair and tan skin patted Aurora’s arm as she watched them from afar.
“You have a lovely family, dear.”
“Um, thanks, but he’s …” Heat colored her cheeks in the air-conditioning, but the old woman had already moved on. “Never mind.”
“You all right, Roar?” Duncan and Katie reappeared.
“I’m fine.” Right, like that would fool them.
“You look flushed, Mom.”
And telling her that wouldn’t make it worse or anything. “It’s probably sunburn.”
“Would water help? There’s a fountain over there.” He carried that trusty water bottle with him everywhere it seemed.
“Sure. Can’t hurt.” Anything to get him away long enough for her to get this emotional roller coaster under control. How could anyone mistake Duncan for Katie’s dad? She wasn’t replacing Jeff. There was no replacing him. She cared for Duncan. He was good for them. But that didn’t exactly make them a family.
