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“That’ll teach you to pull on my hair.”
I give her a hot grin. “Sometimes you like it, babe. Don’t even act like you don’t.”
A grin plays along the corner of her lips too, but she doesn’t say much. “Have fun with Caleb,” she ends up telling me, as she puts her hand on the doorknob.
Conceding I won this battle of smartass comments, I blow her a kiss. “Will do, don’t work too hard.”
“Oh, trust me.” She gives me a wink. “I won’t.”
I give her a tap on the ass as she leaves. As I watch her back out of the driveway, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Today I’m taking my son with me to do something I never thought I would do, but I know I want him with me when it happens. Flipping my keyring in my hand, I grab my wallet and hit the road for Tuscaloosa. It’s going to be a great day.
* * *
Caleb is waitingout in front of the student housing he’s been assigned to as I pull up. It takes everything I have not to open the door and embarrass him in front of anyone who walks by. I’ve missed this guy, more than I can express. As he hops in, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
“So what are we doing today?” He hands me a cup of coffee, much like the days of us living together.
Quickly I take a drink. “Damn, Son, nobody makes me coffee like you do, I don’t know what you do differently, but not even the cups Rina makes me are as good.”
He gives me a wink. “It’s my little secret.”
A part of me wants to know what that secret is, another part likes that we share something like this together. Back to his original question, I drop what’s kind of a bomb on him. “I want to pick out an engagement ring for Rina, and I want you to help me. That cool with you?”
His surprised gaze clashes with mine, a wide smile brightening his features. “Are you serious?”
“Living with her has made me realize how much I love having her around. I don’t see that ever changing, and I want her to be a part of our lives forever. I want her to be our family. But I also want you to be okay with it. If you aren’t, please tell me.”
Waiting for what feels like forever, he rubs at the stubble on his chin. “Do you know how popular I’ll be in the locker room when I tell people she’s my stepmom?”
I can’t help but laugh when, as usual, he breaks everything down to the clearest of detail. I don’t know why I worry about what his reaction will be, because he always surprises me. Caleb takes things in stride more than most adults do, and it’s one of the things I love most about him.
“Do you know how proud I’ll be when I tell people she’s my wife?”
“Dad, I’m happy for you. Please don’t get married without me.”
Pulling my Jeep into the traffic, heading toward the nearest mall, I give him a glance over my sunglasses. “Are you serious? I want this to happen soon, but there’s no way in hell it’s happening without you. You’ve been a part of every major change of my life. This is no different. Plus, what a douche move, to include you in picking out the ring and then not inviting you to the wedding? What kind of a dad do you take me for?”
“A fucking amazing one.” He laughs as we pull into the end of the mall that has a fancy jewelry store.
“Let’s go get this ring and grab some lunch, I’m hungry.”
He rubs his stomach. “I could eat.”
Which we both know is a lie. Caleb could always eat, even if he had just eaten a large pizza by himself. Hooking my arm around his neck, I pull his head down and run my knuckles over his hair as he laughs. These are the moments I’ve missed with him being gone, but as long as I can have days like this, I know without a doubt I’ll be fine.
* * *
We’ve beenin the jewelry store for over forty-five minutes, but nothing is jumping out at me. The sales girl has been nice, giving me my space, but it looks like she can’t take my indecision anymore.
“What metal are you looking for? That would at least narrow down your options. You look so confused, sir.” She gives me a look of sympathy.
I motion Caleb over. “What metal do you think Rina would like.”
“What’s her personality?” the sales girl asks.
“She’s a bit of a smartass,” Caleb is quick to answer. “Nice, smart, cares about the people she loves, but she’s classic too. She’s got a beauty that comes from the inside.”
Caleb is half-way in love with Rina. I realize it right now, but I know it’s a platonic kind of love. “What he said, and God, she’s just gorgeous. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman.”
