Page 89 of Her Defiant Warrior

They’d agreed that Bonnie would tell her kids over the weekend that they were dating. He’d been chomping at the bit to find out what their response had been. He was pretty sure it would be fine, but you never knew. After all, he’d be the first boyfriend their mother had ever had.

“They took it well. Really well. They do have some questions, though.”

“Like what?”

“Nothing bad. But they would love it if you could come over tonight.”

“Shit Bonnie, I can’t. We’re training for the next three days.”

“Can you come over on Saturday?”

“What time?” Jase asked.

“Five-thirty. I know that’s early, but it gives them time to do their homework and still have screen time before they go to bed.”

“Honey, five-thirty is good for me,” Jase assured her.

“Bring a change of clothes. I also told them that sometimes you and I would have sleepovers.”

“You jumped in with both feet, huh?”

“No point in waiting,” she chuckled.

“I’ll see you at five-thirty. Is there anything I can bring?”

“Nope, we’re covered,” she assured him.

* * *

Jase showed up five minutes early. He brought a Teeter Cherry Pie for Lachlan and Bonnie, and three different flavors of ice cream. One of them had to be to Amber’s liking. Before he could knock on the door, Lachlan had it open.

“You need to use the peephole, kid,” Jase admonished.

“Nope, got a sweet system set up,” Lachlan said as he held up his mother’s smart phone. “I heard someone on the step, and I could see you through the peephole on mom’s phone. Looking out a peephole is for old people.”

Jake sighed. “I’m an old person,” he admitted as he handed Lachlan the pie box.

“Mom! Your boyfriend brought me Teeter Pie. Sure hope he brought something for you.”

Amber came running out from down the hall. She eyed the Harris Teeter grocery bag. “Did you get something for you and me, Jase?”

“You like ice cream, right?”

“Depends. What flavor?”

“Chocolate chip mint. Cookie Dough and since I also bought vanilla, I brought chocolate syrup too.”

Amber gave him a huge grin that looked so much like her mother’s he would do anything for her. Hell, she could tell him to go back to the store and get strawberry ice cream, and he’d do it.

“Mom.,” she yelled into the kitchen. “He’s a keeper. He brought chocolate syrup to go with the ice cream.” Amber took the bags from him. “Why don’t you sit down on the sofa? There’s a game starting soon. I’m sure you don’t want to miss it. I’ll bring you a beer.”

She left like a shot and was soon back with the promised beer.

Oh shit, she’s setting me up.

“Amber, are you okay with your mom and me dating?” he asked cautiously.

“I’m loving it. It totally gives you street cred. Maryanne told me to tell people at school. She and her sisters always mentioned you, and nobody ever gave them trouble. So, I’ll start doing the same thing.”