Chapter 61
EVAN
It’s weird every time I see them kissing. Like nobody wants to see their mom kissing all the time. But it makes her happy. I’ve never seen her smile as much as she does now, and I think it’s Ben’s kisses that make it happen, so I’m not gonna complain too much. Though, I’d prefer they didn’t do it in front of me.
I stopped recording once they started kissing because … well, I don’t think I need to record that . Instead, I untie the ring from Rex’s ribbon so Mom can wear it. I think they’ve forgotten all about it. I clear my throat, because a guy can only put up with so much of the romantic baloney. When they finally pull apart, I shove the ring in front of Ben’s face. “I think you’re supposed to put this on Mom’s finger,” I remind him with wide eyes.
Like, come on. Do I need to do everything around here?
Ben chuckles. “Thanks, Ev.”
He slides it on Mom’s finger, and she starts crying all over again. At least they’re happy tears now. I’ve had enough of her sad ones to last me a lifetime. Ben tugs her back into him and rubs his hands up and down her back, whispering something in her ear.
I just want to get to the food. Whatever’s in the picnic basket smells really good.
What’s a guy gotta do to get fed?
“Hey, Ev. I got something for you, too,” Ben calls, waving me over to the tent. Something for me? He grabs the gift bag from the table. Huh. I figured that was for Mom. “I wanted to give you something special to remember this day.”
I’ll always remember this day. It’s the day I finally feel like I’m part of a family again. Like I won’t be the only kid at school without a dad. I don’t need anything special, but if he wants to give me a present, I won’t say no.
I take the bag from his fingers and dip my hand inside as he and Mom watch on. My eyes almost bug out of my head when I pull out the box set of John Grisham’s Theodore Boone . I’ve borrowed these from the school library because they’re awesome stories … and Mom loves reading his books, so I figured he must be a pretty good author. Turns out, he is an awesome writer. If I can be half as good as him one day, I’d be proud. I flick my eyes back up to Ben and lunge at him. “Thank you. This is one of my favorite series.”
Ben blows out a long breath. “I’m glad. I was worried, but I asked around at work, and several people recommended this series.” He points at the box. “Open it.”
I move closer to the light so I can see better and pull out the first book, peeling open the cover. It takes me a second to work out what I’m seeing. “You got me signed editions?” I ask softly as I drag my finger over the signature.
I can’t believe it. I’ve never had a signed book before, and to have this from one of my favorite authors is incredible.
“You like it?”
I look up at him. “Like it? I love it!” I wrap my arms around him. “I love you, Ben.”
He ruffles my hair and returns my hug. “I love you, too, Ev.”
Would you like to check in with Ben, Hope, Evan, and Sullivan nine years into the future?