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“We all did, sugar,” Logan says. “The oh my god kind of got our attention.”
She slaps him on the arm without even looking.
That’s pretty much how dinner goes. We spot some baby orcas jumping through the water and occasionally a tail, a back, or water spouting upward from a larger whale. Jamie also seems to enjoy most of the seafood.
Afterward, we decide to see a comedian’s show. The guy’s funny, but ever since I told Gregory he could move in, I’ve been wishing for a good few minutes alone with Jamie. She probably wasn’t expecting to have a teenager in the house with us, or at least not so soon, but that is part of the package. The kids come and go. The part that’s bothering me the most is though this isn’t rea
lly a decision I should have to make with her because I’ve always told my kids they’re welcome in my house practically any time, I still feel like maybe she should’ve had a chance to talk to me before I gave Gregory the answer he would’ve gotten regardless.
It seems crazy because her opinion wouldn’t make me tell him no, but if my house is her house now, it didn’t feel right to talk about that decision right in front of her without any input from her. If this can’t come together in my mind in a way that makes sense, how am I going to form the right words when I talk to Jamie? And I have to talk to her.
I almost told Gregory that Jamie would be living with us, but he’ll discover soon enough and I don’t think it’ll bother him or cause him to change his mind about moving in. My main priority is making sure Jamie is okay with this change and that she isn’t upset with how I handled it. I’m upset enough for the both of us as it is.
The moment the show is over, I stand and pull Jamie up with me since I already have a firm grasp on her hand.
“I need to talk to you.”
Her eyes widen a touch. She nods and says, “Okay then, boss. Lead the way.”
I take her to the only place we’ll have guaranteed privacy: our room.
“Is everything okay, Brent?” she asks as we walk into our room.
“Mostly.” We sit down on the bed, facing one another. “You’re not upset about Gregory more than likely moving in, are you?”
Her brows pull together and her hand rests over her heart. “No,” she answers, sounding a bit horrified. “He’s your son and he’d rather live with you. I’d be more upset if you’d turn him down.”
Good. That part is out of the way. “I figured that’s how you felt, but it’s been bothering me that we didn’t get a chance to talk about it before I told him yes. You understand that—”
Jamie covers my mouth with her hand. “Gregory didn’t really give you that option, Brent. Not to mention, I’m not so sure this is a decision that required you talking to me about it. He’s a good kid, he wants to live with you, and there’s no way you’ll tell him no. All things I know and am okay with. The only thing I can think of right now that you should talk to me about is if he wants to come on a trip that’s supposed to be just for the two of us or something like that. Otherwise, it’s all you, Brent. I didn’t need a heads-up in this case because I was right there and already knew what you’d tell him. So, everything’s fine.”
She might be done talking, but she forgets to lower her hand. I grab her wrist and lower it for her. Jamie smiles and rests her hand on her lap.
“That’s good to hear. I had myself worried for a second there, but you get it with me hardly saying anything at all.”
Jamie leans over and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer to her. “That’s because we’re so good together and good to one another.” She grins as her nose touches mine. “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you worry.”
“There’s even more on the line now,” I explain. I give her a smile that matches her own. “I have you right where I want you; the last thing I want to do is mess up and have you running the other way.”
“I wouldn’t run.”
“You wouldn’t?” I ask both with surprise and disbelief.
“No. I’d walk because you’re getting older and older by the second. There’s no telling how much longer you can keep running and I’d want you to catch up with me so you can bring me back.”
I laugh. “No old jokes except on my birthday,” I remind her.
“You said you were celebrating for a week!”
“I changed my mind.” I kiss her before she can find another reason to tease me. “We don’t need to leave the room again, do we?” I murmur against her mouth as I guide her back against the bed.
Jamie shakes her head. “The curtain.”
Right. I reluctantly stand and walk over to the sliding glass doors for the balcony. I lock the door and then close the curtain. That should be enough of a hint to leave us alone. Or else they might just get an eyeful and an earful if I have to get up and answer the door.
I climb back onto the bed as Jamie asks, “Do you have any fantasies?” which stops me short for a moment.
“Fantasies?”
