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“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” I ask, a bit confused. “I thought what we’re doing is serious, that we’re in a committed relationship. That’s the only reason I allowed you to meet my kids.”
“We are,” he says. “But dating isn’t the same thing as getting married and creating a life together.”
His words have my head spinning. “We can’t get married,” I blurt out. It’s against the law to marry two people, and there’s no way I’m choosing one of them over the other.
“Not in the eye of the law, but we can still put a ring on your finger and have a ceremony. One where we exchange vows in front of our family and friends.”
I imagine walking down an aisle somewhere, dressed in a gorgeous white dress, and waiting for me is Hayden and Brody, both wearing sharp tuxes and prepared to say their vows to me. Before, I couldn’t even fathom marrying another man, let alone two, but now, the thought has my heart swelling in my chest, butterflies attacking my belly.
“I want that,” I admit out loud.
“You want what?” Hayden asks, strolling into the room and dropping down on the other side of Brody, since Brody is in the middle, and I’m sprawled out next to him.
“Brody was saying that even though we can’t get married legally, he wants to have a ceremony, and I was saying that I want that too. I want to commit myself to you both in every way possible, even if that means we do it our own way.”
Brody and Hayden both grin.
“Good,” Brody says, palming the side of my face. “When we get married and move in together, we’ll spend every night together in one bed.” He leans in and brushes his lips against mine. “I can’t wait for you to be our wife.”
“Mommy! Look what I can do!” Evie screeches as I step out of the elevator. It’s been a long day, but the second I see her excited face, just before she raises her arms and flies into a cartwheel, I can’t help but smile.
“Wow, that was really good,” I tell her as she does two more.
“I know, right? Camp was so much fun. I got to do lots of gymnastics and dance, and we went swimming, and I jumped off the tallest diving board. Miles was too scared, so he didn’t jump, but I told him it wasn’t scary, so if we go swimming again tomorrow, he’s gonna try it.”
“I’m not scared,” Miles says from the couch, where he and Hayden are playing video games. “It was just really tall, and I didn’t feel like walking up all the steps.”
“And that’s completely fine,” I tell him, sitting next to Hayden.
“How was camp?” I ask Miles.
“Good. I met a friend. His name is Matthew, and he likes hockey like me.”
“How was your day?” Hayden asks, pausing the game so I know I have his attention.
“Long. The espresso machine is giving me problems. I’m going to have to have someone come out and look at it. And the guy who fixed the oven said it was good to go, but when I was baking this morning, dozens of muffins burnt, and the fire alarm went off.” I sigh, remembering the fire department coming out, despite me trying to tell them it was fine. “Now, I’m going to be charged, and I’m still down an oven and now an espresso machine.”
“Is there anything I can do?” he asks.
I shake my head and then lean down and press my lips to his. “You’re already doing it,” I whisper. “Thank you for helping with the kids.”
“Oh, Mom!” Miles says, dropping his controller and turning toward me. “Coach Henry said if you say it’s okay, I can play on the hockey team. Matthew is asking his mom too. Can I play? I have the papers for you to sign in my backpack.”
“That’s awesome. I’ll read over the papers once we get home, but I don’t see why not.” Speaking of which… “Why don’t you guys start cleaning up, so we can get going?”
“Now?” Miles asks. “But I’m playing with Hayden.”
“And I have to show Brody my cartwheels,” Evie adds. “He told me to show him when he gets home.”
“You’re leaving?” Hayden asks.
The three of them stare at me with various amounts of confusion and disappointment, and I feel like it’s three against one.
“I’m going to get a drink in the kitchen,” I say slowly, my gaze meeting Hayden’s.
He looks at me confused but then catches on and says, “I’ll join you.”
Once we’re alone, I lean against the counter, and he cages me in, kissing me softly. “Missed you today.”
“I missed you too. Mondays are rough after the weekend.”
He trails kisses along my jawline. “Stay here tonight.”
“The kids need to take showers, and I need to make dinner,” I say through a groan as he places a kiss above my pulse point, making it a point to nip playfully at my flesh. “I’m sure I have laundry to do from their day at camp,” I add.
