Page 20

Andrew

“How’s your hand feeling today?” I asked over breakfast. Well, brunch. We’d stayed in bed snuggling and making out until nearly eleven. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d stayed in bed that long.

“It’s achy, but definitely better than it was.”

We both jumped as we heard knocking on the front door, closely followed by the sound of a key in the lock.

“That will be my mother,” I sighed, grateful that we weren’t in some compromising position. Although to be fair, even though I’d had a bit of a playboy reputation in my younger years, my mother knew that I rarely had anyone here anymore. That was why she’d encouraged me to adopt Goldie, so I wouldn’t be lonely.

“Yoohoo,” Mom called. “Are you two decent?”

I winced, avoiding Katy’s gaze. “We’re in the kitchen, Mom.”

My mother swept in with a stack of Tupperware containers, setting them on the counter before leaning down to give first Katy and then me a hug. She looked thrilled to see that we were still in our pajamas.

“I made cookies,” Mom said. “Also some chicken salad and veggie kabobs. You can take them for lunch.”

“Thanks Mom.”

She grabbed a cup and helped herself to some coffee before settling into one of the chairs. Clearly Mom was here to snoop.

“Make yourself at home, Mom,” I said drily.

“What are you two doing?” she asked.

I gestured to the plates of bagels, cream cheese, fruit, and coffee cups on the table. “Ballroom dancing, what does it look like?”

“Andrew!” Katy scolded. “Be nice to your mother. You’re lucky to have her. A lot of people grow up with mothers who couldn’t care less about them.”

Her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn’t meant to say that. Mom sent me a look, then reached over and patted Katy’s hand.

“Katy dear I was hoping that you and Andrew would come for dinner tonight. The four of us – plus Steph and Christopher when they’re in town -- usually try to get together once a week. I’m making a roast.”

We were interrupted by Goldie waddling into the room. She sent a disapproving hiss in Katy’s direction before wrapping herself around my mother’s legs. For some reason Goldie still wasn’t a fan of Katy’s, despite Katy plying her with treats. I assumed it was because my houseguest was taking some of my attention away from her. And because we’d locked her out of my bedroom while we went to sleep last night.

“Oh, such a pretty baby,” Mom cooed. “I guess you’re the only grandchild I’ll ever have thanks to my selfish sons.”

Goldie purred happily.

“Mom! I know you didn’t want one of us to knock up some random girl just so you could have a grandchild.”

Mom gave me a look that clearly conveyed I was an idiot. “No dear, I did not. I was just hoping that you’d all find your partners while you were still young enough to have kids.”

Her gaze swung to Katy, who leaned back in her chair and held up her hands as if warding off an attack.

“Don’t look at me. I’m too old for all that.”

Mom looked sad. “Pity. Maybe you could adopt then.”

“Marianne,” Katy said firmly, giving me the impression that this wasn’t the first time they’d discussed this. “While I appreciate the vote of confidence, I’m only here for a short time and I have no intention of adopting a child with your son – either of them. Andrew and I are just friends.”

“Yet you have a love bite on your neck.”

Katy’s eyes widened in horror as her hand flew to her neck. A red flush crept across her cheeks.

“You don’t have a hickey, Katy,” I told her, remembering quite clearly that the only place I’d bit her during our repeated make out sessions was the inner thigh. “She’s messing with you.”

“She doesn’t, but you do, son,” Mom crowed, clearly happy that she’d made us out ourselves.