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Harmon nods, taking the frozen ice from my hand.
“Thanks Daddy!” he cries before skipping off, his tongue somehow already purple from the artificial flavoring. “Yay, Goofy!”
Then, a rustle at the kitchen doorway makes me look up, and to my surprise, it’s Mari. She looks thoughtful as she watches Harmon leave, her eyes following the little boy before turning back to me.
“Hi Harris,” she says in a low voice. “I let myself in just now. How are you?”
I straighten.
“All things considered, okay I guess,” I growl, trying not to sound too despondent. “How are you?”
She nods slowly, her shoulder propped up against the doorjamb. Mari has never looked so beautiful before. Her curly brown hair frames her exquisite features, and her expression is thoughtful. Those pretty pink lips bow into a curve, and I have the craziest urge to stroke her cheek. But I stop myself because this woman isn’t mine. She feels betrayed by my omissions and lies, and I have to respect that.
I take a deep breath, my blue eyes drinking in the sight of Mari’s curvy figure. Is this the last time I’ll see her? After all, now that her mom and I are finalizing the divorce, there’s really no need for her to drop by anymore. Maybe our romp on her way to college was just that: a romp that will never be repeated.
“So what brings you home?” I ask, my heart beating painfully in my chest. Then, my mouth clamps shut. I shouldn’t have referred to my house as her home because more than likely, Mari doesn’t see it that way anymore. But she merely tilts her head at me, her big brown eyes gentle and liquid.
“I’m here to apologize, actually,” she says in a soft voice. “I’m sorry, Harris, about the way that I behaved. I judged you for having a son, and for keeping that knowledge from me, although like you said, I was only a child myself. Plus, you were going through a divorce, and I could see why you wouldn’t want that information to get out.”
I stare at the beautiful woman, hardly daring to breathe.
“You’re sorry? No,I’mthe one who’s sorry, sweetheart. I should have known that you’re mature beyond your years. I should have trusted you with the knowledge, and it’s my fault that I didn’t.”
Mari nods, her brown eyes still a bit troubled.
“But I’m sorry abut the way I behaved, Harris. It was immature and it must have been really hurtful.”
I want more than anything to take the curvy girl in my arms, but I force myself to stay back. After all, maybe she’s going to say she’s sorry, and then leave. Maybe there’s no future for us, and the pain in my chest makes me hyperaware of that fact.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I rasp in a low voice. “No apologies necessary. I love you, Mari, and you never have to apologize to me.”
Hope alights in her eyes then, and to my surprise, tears tremble on her lashes.
“You love me?” Mari asks in a small voice. “Really, Harris?”
I can no longer resist, and stride forwards to pull her into my arms.
“Yes, I love you, Mari. Isn’t it obvious? I’ve adored you for ages now, and I didn’t act on it because of the nature of our relationship. But things have changed, haven’t they? You’ve grown up, and I never want you to feel sad or apologetic about anything. Not when it comes to us,” I rasp into her ear.
She lets out a small hiccup, her tears leaving dampness on my neck as she nuzzles closer.
“I’m so happy you said that, Harris, because I love you too,” she murmurs in a choked voice as her hands wrap around my waist. “I was so surprised to find out you had a child, and I guess I sort of flew off the handle at the news.”
“No, it’s okay,” I reassure her again, pressing a soft kiss to that plush pout. Her mouth opens beneath me, and I swipe my tongue along her teeth before kissing her again. “Anyone would freak out if they found out that their lover had a secret child, but it’s not a secret anymore. I want you to get to know Harmon and to become friends with my son … that is, if you’re interested.”
She merely tightens her arms around me while sniffling.
“I would love that, Harris,” she murmurs. “I think that’s a great idea.” Then she pulls back. “But what about us?” she asks in a tinny voice.
I stare into those big brown eyes, my heart overflowing with love for the curvy woman.
“What about us?” I ask in a low voice.
Mari’s brown eyes shimmer as she looks at me.
“Well, are we going to tell my mom about us?” she whispers, her breath warm and sweet on my cheek. “Or the whole world? Or should we keep things under wraps for now?”
I take a moment to consider because this is unexpected. Of course, I planned on revealing my relationship with my lovely stepdaughter to the world at some point. It just wasn’t going to be now. It was going to be a slow, gradual process lasting months, or even years. But it seems that the door has been blown off its hinges, and I smile down at the gorgeous girl before pressing my lips to hers again.
