“Hey,” he says quietly. “You’ve got this.”
As I smile, appreciating his faith in me, the boys fly down the hallway, their laughter echoing off the walls, and the closet door creaks open. Marbles, ever the opportunist, appears in the doorway, meowing insistently, as if he refuses to be left behind. I scoop him up, tucking him close as I set him on his bed, and grab my coat.
We pile into Tuck’s car. The boys chatter in the back, talking over each other as he maneuvers through the quiet streets. Since my work is closest, he drops me off first. I hover for a moment, wanting to lean over and brush my lips against his, but with the boys in the back, it’s impossible. I settle for a smile instead, gathering my things and opening my door.
“See you at five,” he says.
“Right,” I reply. Tonight, he’s picking me up after his practice and take me straight to class. Seven o’clock, with a group meeting first where we’ll go over our notes. Honestly, it still feels surreal—I’m back in school—but with Tuck helping me navigate everything, it’s not nearly as hard as I feared.
“Have a good practice this afternoon,” I call over my shoulder. “Boys, have a good day at school.” Levi will be driving them both home today, because the boys have a project they’re working on. It’s really so nice that we have so many people we can count on.
“Mom, can you bring home some cinnamon rolls?” Josh asks from the back, and the way he says home makes my chest tighten.
Home.
There’s that word again.
“He can’t sneak them now, not when we’re living at Tuck’s,” Lucas teases.
Living at Tuck’s.
We’re staying there temporarily—even though it doesn’t feel it—but Tuck needs to get moving if he wants to get the boys to school before first bell, so it’s not the right time to bring it up. And truthfully, I don’t want to bring it up.
Tuck winks at me, voice low and teasing. “I’d like something sweet tonight too.”
I roll my eyes at him. “You boys help Tuck with dinner tonight, okay?”
“Yes, Mom,” they answer in perfect unison. I slide out of the car, and Lucas jumps into the front seat beside Tuck, chattering away. I wave my boys off and watch until they disappear around the corner, laughter trailing behind them.
My boys.
Lucas.
Josh.
Tuck.
Even Marbles.
I’m surrounded by testosterone. That thought makes me laugh as I unlock the café and slip inside. The morning rush hits almost immediately, and for the next three hours, it’s nonstop: orders shouted, coffee machines hissing, plates clattering. By the time the crowd thins, leaving only an elderly couple savoring a slow bowl of chowder, I give Mia, one of our newer servers, a quick nod. “I’m taking a short break.”
I retreat to the kitchen, pulling out my laptop to go over my notes, and then it hits me—I forgot my textbook at home. I glance at the clock. Tuck is at practice. I don’t want to bother him anyway. Damn. I can’t wait to get my car back.
I consider my options when the bell above the diner door jingles, and Mom and Grant’s voices drift in. Perfect.
I hurry across the room, wrapping my arms around my mother first. “Grant, can I borrow your car? I forgot my textbook, and I need it for tonight’s class. You guys sit, have something to eat on me, and I’ll be quick.”
Without hesitation, Grant fishes the keys from his pocket and hands them over. “No rush at all,” he says, giving me that easy, reassuring smile I’ve always relied on.
Twenty minutes later, I pull up in front of Tuck’s place. My hands linger on the steering wheel, heart fluttering as I glance at the house. The upstairs bedroom window catches my eye. Did I just see movement?
I blink, shake my head. No. Old ghosts trying to poke at me again. My ex—Lucian—and his history of secret affairs flashes for a split second, but I push it away.
Tuck isn’t Lucian. He’s…Tuck.
And he isn’t supposed to be home yet. His car isn’t in the driveway. He’s at practice. I take a deep breath, forcing my heartbeat to settle. Silly. There’s no one here but us, the quiet house, and Marbles.
I slide the key in, turn the lock, and swing the door open. The familiar, warm scent of the house greets me, and soft paws skitter across the floor.
