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23
On Tuesday,Shane collected Hunter from Bex’s place and arrived home to find the lights on and music playing. Dylan was playing video games in the living room.
“How’d you get home?” Shane asked as they entered. His son had supposedly been at a friend’s place. It had been a long day, and Shane ached to take a load off, get into something more comfortable, and crash on the sofa. Unfortunately, he still needed to cook dinner, do the chores, and make sure the boys had both completed their homework.
“Mum picked me up,” Dylan said. “She said you okayed it.”
“You didn’t think to check with me?”
Pausing his game, Dylan turned to face him, grimacing. “I thought she was telling the truth.” He shrugged. “She’s my mum.”
A mother who didn’t have any custody rights and whom Shane hadn’t spoken to since the Christmas parade. But he didn’t growl at Dylan, because the kid had a point. Since when were children expected to question their parent’s actions?
“Okay, buddy. She didn’t talk to me, but it’s not your fault. Is she still here?”
He nodded, his expression growing cautious. “In the kitchen. Don’t kick her out. She wanted to surprise you.”
“With what?” Having his ex turn up and let herself into his house unannounced was not his idea of a pleasant surprise.
“Dinner, I guess.”
Shane nodded and looked down at Hunter, who stood near his feet. “Wait here with Dylan. I’ll be back soon.”
He found Diana standing at the stove, frying halloumi in a pan, with a couple of other pots simmering. The food smelled pretty good considering she’d never been much of a cook. Obviously being in L.A. had taught her a thing or two.
“Shane!” she exclaimed, beaming the smile that had enchanted men all around the world. “I’m so glad you’re here. How was your day? Tell me all about it.” Bustling over, she dropped a kiss on his cheek before he had the wherewithal to pull away.
His jaw clenched, and he wanted to yell at her to leave because she wasn’t welcome here, but mindful of their sons in the other room, he kept his voice low as he asked, “What are you doing?”
“Making our dinner,” she said in a tone that scolded him for asking such a silly question. “So we can discuss Dylan’s birthday next weekend. I’ve been looking at local bands and there isn’t much selection, but if we go wider, I can hire someone from Auckland. Do you have an event planner? The best ones book out months in advance.”
“Whoa, slow down a minute.” He shook his head, his brain still trying to process the fact that she was here, let alone anything else. “This isn’t some big Hollywood party. We’re having a barbecue, sending the kids out for a surf lesson, and then playing backyard cricket. Nothing fancy. That’s what Dylan wants.”
Diana flipped the halloumi and rolled her eyes. She checked a pot, and he smelled pumpkin. “That’s before he knew we could afford options. I’m here now, and he can have anything he wants. Cost is no barrier.”
A thought occurred to him. “Did you even remember it was his birthday before we ran into each other at the Christmas parade? Because this is the first you’ve mentioned it, and considering it’s your first time home in years, I’d have thought you’d be all over the celebration from the start.”
Her eyes narrowed, and her nostrils flared. She didn’t like to be questioned. Well, too bad.
“Of course I did.” She stirred whatever was in one of the pots. “But I didn’t want to come on too strong, so I gave him a little time to get used to having me around.”
“Not come on too strong?” He scoffed. “You expected to move in with us on day one.”
She waved a hand, dismissing his comment. “Dylan,” she called. “Darling, will you come here for a moment?”
“Don’t drag him into this.”
“Why not? It’s his birthday.” Dylan came in slowly, his expression saying he was all kinds of nervous. His mother didn’t let that stop her. “Dad and I have been discussing your party. I suggested we hire live entertainment and ship the best people over from Auckland. Wouldn’t you like that?”
Dylan’s gaze leapt from one of them to the other, and he wet his lips. “Um.”
“No pressure,” Shane said, hating she’d put him on the spot. “Whatever you want, you just tell us. No one will be insulted.” He sent his ex a meaningful look. “Right, Diana?”
“Exactly right,” she agreed. “So, what’s it going to be? A band and the best food the city has to offer, or your dad’s barbecue and a game of cricket you could do any weekend?”
This wasn’t fair. Shane took Diana by the arm. “Excuse us, bud. We’ll be back in a moment.” Drawing her into the hall, he turned to face her. “Why are you putting this on his shoulders?”
She raised her chin. “It’s his decision. He’s old enough to make his own.”
