Page 2 of Love On and Off Set

Kristoff shook his head. “She wants one night with her kids. They’re going to the movies and then dinner. She wants them to know they’ll always come first. As it should be.”

“And you’re going to be a stepfather.”

“I am.” His grin lit his face. “I can’t wait.”

Will it be smooth sailing? Do you have the ability to deal with conflict if it’s not?

After a moment, I scoffed at the notion. He had a PhD in clinical psychology. In my estimation, he could handle anything. “Well, I’m happy for you. I want you to seriously consider a gift I might bestow upon you.”

His eyes flashed.

Ah. “Out with it.”

His gaze skittered away, again settling on the windows. Finally, he drew a breath. “I’m worried about you.”

I sputtered. “Whatever for? I’m fine—”

“You’re going to be lonely. Living up here in your castle above the masses.”

“Now, Kristoff, that’s unfair.”

“Is it?” He arched an eyebrow. “You take a car to work, even though it’s five blocks away. You have groceries delivered, meals prepared, and you even exercise in the condo. You’re either at work or here. Without me, I can’t see you’d have any company.”

In return, I arched an eyebrow. “Did it ever occur to you that I didn’t have company because you’ve been here?”

“I call bullshit. This place is enormous enough I’d not be in the way. And you know I would’ve left in a heartbeat if you’d met someone.”

“Fair point.” I pressed the linen napkin to the table. “I’m set in my ways, Kristoff. And that’s fine. So, no worries about me. Put me out of your mind and embark upon your new life.” I hesitated. “But you were going to ask something.”

He drew in a sharp breath and let it out slowly.

“Out with it, young man. I’m getting older as you dawdle.”

Which was uncharacteristic of him.

“Jennifer’s eldest…would like to move out.”

“The twenty-six-year-old still lives at home?”

He winced. “Between the squeeze in the rental market and the sky-high property prices, Jennifer felt he was better off staying under her roof.”

“Okay.” Both things were true. “And it’ll be awkward now that you’re moving in?”

“I was happy for Dade to stay as long as he wanted. Just…he confided he wants to go. But he’s pursuing his dream and…that’s not always steady work.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a contractor.” Kristoff pushed the words out. “And it’s been a tough few years for the industry, but things are turning around. He’s got some work coming up. Plus, Jennifer lives in Kerrisdale. The work is in downtown Vancouver and the North Shore.”

“I take it he doesn’t have a car.” Kerrisdale wasn’t that far from downtown, although the trip over the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Vancouver would be a pain. Contractor felt vague, but I wasn’t overly concerned. I considered. “This would make you happy?”

Kristoff lit. “It would. He’s happy to do the stuff I do. You know, heating the food, cleaning the dishes, and…”

Yeah. He didn’t actually do that much. Between my cleaning service and the caterer, I had little that wasn’t taken care of. Still, my nephew had asked for little from me during all the years he’d lived here. I’d happily paid for his education and had sheltered him so he wouldn’t have to either work or take on debt. He could go into this marriage with nothing dragging him down. That thought brought me a measure of pride. “Let me meet the young man…”

“Dade.”

“Dade.” I imprinted the name into my memory. “If he’s agreeable, then I’m certain it will work.” I’d make it work, for Kristoff’s sake.