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“You’ve never been serious with anybody before, right?”
He shook his head.
“And how old are you?”
“Old enough.”
“I’m looking for a number, Eight Ball.”
His mouth twisted in irritation. “Fifty-seven.”
Whoo. Seventeen years older than her. Well, she’d known he was past fifty. But the number itself wasn’t the point right now, nor was the gap. “That’s a long time to go without ever once being in a serious relationship. I haven’t done all that much better. Let’s take it a little bit slow and really know this is solid. I don’t want Ajax to think he has something until we’re really sure he does. Okay?”
His mouth released its show of irritation, and he smiled instead. “You’re a good mom. But …”—his eyes searched hers deeply—“you’re stuck, too?”
“I think so, yeah.”
Letting out a gust of relief, he said, “Okay. Good. We’ll take it slow.”
Gently, Marcella pushed him back. “So no making out while he might see. Let’s go back in.”
Before Eight let her go, he came in for another kiss. He kept it short, and she laughed as he stepped back. “Always gotta push the limit.”
“That’s me in a nutshell, baby.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Eight followed Marcella back into the apartment. As she slid the door closed, Ajax’s bedroom door swung open and he came out. He wore Black Panther pajamas.
“Where were you guys?” he asked. Turning to Eight, he added, “I thought you left.”
“We were talking on the balcony,” Marcella said.
Eight added, “I told you I’d stay to say goodbye, buddy.”
That erased the concern from the boy’s face, and he smiled. “That’s good!”
“Did you wash your hair, Ajax?”
“Yes, Mom,” Ajax said, and Eight could tell from his tone that this was a recurring issue.
“With shampoo?”
“Yes, Mom.” Turning slightly, so Marcella didn’t have a clear view of his face but Eight did, Ajax rolled his eyes.
Eight barked a laugh, and Marcella gave them both a narrow glare. “Did you roll your eyes, son?”
Now those eyes widened with guilt. “Uh … sorry.”
Interesting. Eight would’ve lied in that situation.
Unimpressed by their son’s honesty, Marcella crossed her arms. “Mmm-hmm. I think that’s about enough for you today. Say good night to your father.”
Ajax hurried across the room and hugged Eight again. When he’d done it earlier, for the first time, Eight had almost felt like he’d been punched. Those skinny young arms had about knocked the wind out of him, and he’d barely kept his ground.
Now, slightly more ready for it, he put his hands on Ajax’s back. “Good night, bud.”
“Good night, Dad. I had fun today. I’m glad you picked me up. Do you think you could do it again sometime?”
