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Reluctantly, I tore my attention away from Lamise and returned it to my mom. Smiling, I nodded. “Yeah, me too.”
“I love seeing you smiling again.”
“It’s all because of her. I never thought it was possible, but I can actually see a future for myself again.”
My mom’s head tipped to the side. “What does that future look like?”
I swallowed hard, wondering if it was smart to admit this out loud. Then I realized, this was my mom. As a parent, there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t want Rhys to come and talk to me about, good or bad.
“I want to marry her. I want to make her my wife. And I intend to do it soon.”
“I’m so happy for you, Banks. You deserve this. After all that you struggled through, I’m so glad you allowed Lamise into your heart.”
An overwhelming sense of peace moved through me, something I’d been feeling a lot lately. “I am, too. Because she’s changed my life. She’s made it better. And when I see all that she’s done for not just me but for Rhys as well, it’s hard not to love her.”
My mom placed her hand on my arm and squeezed. “What about Violet?”
There was nothing sinister in my mom’s tone. Her question was asked with genuine concern and curiosity.
“I’ll always love her, and I believe she knows that. I also think she’d want this. There’s no way she wouldn’t want Rhys and me to be happy and have someone in our lives who could give us this, to give us what I know she wished she could have.”
“You’re so lucky, Banks. I hope you know just how lucky you are to have the privilege of loving two incredible women.”
Just like a mother. It didn’t matter how old I got, my mom was always going to be there, not just to support and love me, but she was going to make sure she imparted lessons and wisdom on me, too.
I couldn’t say I didn’t get it.
I’d do the same thing for my son.
It was at that moment, Lamise glanced in my direction. She had a gorgeous smile on her face as she lifted a hand and waved at me.
All I wanted to do was kiss her.
So, without taking my eyes off of Lamise, I said, “I’ve got to go over there to be with her.”
“Go. And feel free to pick up your son on the way. Your dad looks a bit worn out from chasing him all over.”
I laughed. “Will do.”
A moment later, I was making my way through the crowd. Keeping my eyes focused on Lamise, I scooped my son into my arms and continued my journey to her. When I made it there, I curled one arm around her back, my hand landing on her opposite shoulder. I leaned my head down and touched my mouth to hers.
And though I’d believed this was going to be a special moment for the two of us, it seemed the birthday boy had other plans.
“Mom!”
My body froze.
Lamise’s body tensed.
Rhys repeated himself and launched himself out of my arms and toward Lamise. “Mom.”
Lamise happily took him from me, cuddling him close, as her lips parted and tears filled her eyes.
She was clearly in shock, her stunned expression telling me only a fraction of what was going through her mind.
“Are you okay?”
“Are you?” she countered, her voice a deep rasp. “Banks, I… I don’t want you to think?—”
