Chapter Thirty-Two
Riley
"My girls, you really do spoil me," Mom exclaimed.
Paula and I smiled at each other. Oh yeah, mission accomplished.
Mom had been delighted to see us on the front steps of her home today. The drive to her place took three hours, but it was more than worth it. It had always been a dream of mine to treat her and my sister to a spa day, and it was going even better than I’d imagined.
We didn't go far. I'd booked one of the hotels Mom had always admired, even when we were kids. I'd scheduled a massage for each of us, plus mani-pedis—the whole program.
I couldn't believe it. I could finally spoil my family.
My heart was a bit heavy because I didn't like the way things were with Duncan right now, but I was determined to focus on Mom today.
I didn't see her nearly often enough, and I wasn’t going to waste this day moping around.
At the moment, the three of us were alone in the steam room, so we finally had a chance to talk.
"But you girls know you don't have to spend your money on me," Mom continued.
"It's all Riley,” Paula said. “She wanted to treat us."
"Thanks for having my back, sis."
"Always," she replied, grinning.
Mom turned to me. "Riley, darling."
"Mom,” I cut in. “It's been my dream for a long time. I promised you at my graduation, remember?"
"I do, but I also remember shutting you down and telling you to go buy yourself something nice with that first paycheck."
"I promise I'll buy something with the next one. How about that?"
"Yes, and please send me pictures. Paula, please promise you won't let your sister waste any more money on me."
Paula's eyes went wide. "I will do no such thing. I'll spoil you as soon I get some decent money too."
Mom shook her head. Oh, she had no idea about all the plans I had. I was going to get her out of that trailer and put her in a proper house, but all in due time.
"Now, tell me about that lovely man of yours,” Mom said. “I've heard a lot about him from your sister, but you're not very talkative."
I smiled, shrugging. "You know I don't say much."
"Really? With me you do," Paula said. "Mom, everything I relay to you I know from Riley, but for some reason, she's embarrassed to talk to you about him."
Mom looked at me. "Well, be that as it may, I'm very happy that you two are in a good place."
I sighed. "I'm not so sure we are in a great place. Jeremy, well, he had some sort of virus or something affect his stomach this week. I wanted to drop by and see him a few times, but Duncan kept insisting that I should focus on work. Like somehow he and Jeremy would stand in my way."
No one said anything for a few seconds. I was almost wondering if they’d heard me when Mom said, "That sounds like a man who cares about you a lot. I like him even more."
"Really? It doesn't sound like he's trying to push me away?"
"Oh hell no," Paula said. "I think Duncan's ways can be gruff at times, but his heart is in a good place."
I laughed. "Yes, he can be a bit gruff.
“But from what I’ve heard, he's been so wonderful to you and Paula,” Mom added.
"Yes, he has," Paula said. "And I am so grateful."
That’s right. Everything Duncan did to help out Paula made me wonder why he didn't understand that I wanted to take care of him and Jeremy. I was going to find out once I was back.
"I don't know about you, Mom, but I can practically hear the lawyer in her putting together an argument," Paula said.
I chuckled. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing."
"Let's get out of here, girls,” Mom suggested. “It’s like fog in here, and I want to see your faces when I'm talking to you."
"Amen," I said, and we all hurried out of the steam room.
I definitely preferred the sauna. The humid heat was hell on its own.
After showering, we went over to what was called a silence room. It was just us in here, which honestly was amazing.
"I can still feel those neurons moving," Paula said as I closed my eyes.
"Hey, how about we all just enjoy the silence?" I suggested.
"Yep, our neurons do work better in silence. I'll just say one thing before," Mom whispered.
I started to laugh.
"I'm glad that you’ve softened, sweetheart, and that you’re trusting your man with your heart."
I was so surprised that I opened my eyes, looking at her. We were close enough that she could take my hand and put it on her cheek.
"You know what I'm talking about?"
I nodded. I did. Because for so long, I’d kept my heart guarded. But no more. For Duncan, I was wearing my heart on my sleeve. And I needed him to know that I was 100 percent his.
I took in a deep breath, rubbing Mom's hand with my left one and Paula's with the right.
"Lawyer mode off," I announced. I had a lot of time to think things through during the trip back. Right now, I wanted to soak up the love surrounding me.
On Sunday, I arrived home at half past eleven. Paula had gone on the beach with some friends, and I had the house to myself. Christine said they were all out, shopping.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
And then I froze because I definitely heard movement from the kitchen. I drew in a deep breath and stumbled backward. What’s happening? There were vases upon vases with poppies everywhere. I stepped farther into the house and glanced into the living room. Yep. More poppies.
My heart was beating fast as I headed to the kitchen.
Jeremy and Duncan were standing there, side by side. "And when she comes?—"
I cleared my throat, and both of them turned around.
Jeremy huffed. "Dad, you were supposed to tell me before ."
"Damn it," Duncan said. "I miscalculated."
"You brought the f-flowers?" I stuttered.
"Yes, we did," Jeremy exclaimed. "We went to the flower market and asked them for all of their poppies. But they only had a few, so we went to seven more shops."
Oh, be still my beating heart.
Duncan wasn't saying anything, just looking at me with affection.
"But why did you…?" I asked.
"Because they’re your favorite," Jeremy explained. "Dad and I thought it would show you how much we both love you."
There were three vases with poppies on the kitchen counter as well. I couldn't look away from Duncan.
He put an arm around his son's shoulders. "Jeremy and I had a terrific conversation, where I told him that you’re my girlfriend and that you and I love each other very much."
Jeremy looked at his father. “Dad, can I ask her?"
Duncan nodded, and Jeremy came over and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Dad said I could ask if you want to move in with us."
My heart exploded. I lowered myself to his height and hugged him with all I had. "Of course I want to move in with the two of you. And I want to tuck you into bed every night and hear about your day."
"And Dad said we can take care of you together," Jeremy continued. "We can cook your favorite dinner. And then he said something about spoiling you."
I was fighting tears—the good kind—but I wanted to hold them back because I still hadn't managed to properly explain to Jeremy the difference between good tears and sad tears. And right now wasn't the right moment.
He was my boy. I might not have given birth to him, but I loved him as if he were my own flesh and blood.
When I straightened up, Jeremy asked, "Can we get a group hug?"
"Sure we can, buddy," Duncan said. His voice wasn't working properly. I wondered if that was why he hadn't said much.
He put an arm around my back. I rested my mouth in the crook of his neck. Jeremy was hugging us both. I took in a deep breath to steady my heartbeat. It felt like my heart was finally in its right place.
"Dad, when can she move in with us?" Jeremy asked.
"It's up to Riley," Duncan said, stepping back and caressing my cheek with the back of his fingers. "Whenever she's ready."
I was so ready that I could just leave with both of them right now.
"Will she already be in the condo by the time I’m back?" Jeremy asked eagerly.
I looked down. "Where are you going?"
“Uncle Knox and Finn are picking me up, and we’re going to the movies.”
I smiled at Duncan. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
He’d planned all this, hadn't he? So we could be alone.
"That’s not enough time, Jeremy. Besides, we're not pressuring her, Jeremy," Duncan said.
“I definitely can’t move in tonight, but I can do it the upcoming week.”
"Yes! Then we can finally continue our Disney marathon with Dad."
Duncan's smile fell just a bit. I barely stifled a laugh. "We can negotiate that," I said gently.
"Okay." Jeremy didn't sound disappointed, just surprised.
They had chosen a good moment to ask, though. I was so happy that I would probably agree with most things he asked, which I realized was exactly why he’d done it. The little man had skills.
Duncan kissed my forehead. Then we heard a sound at the front door: a car pulling right in front of the house.
"I think that's my uncles," Jeremy exclaimed, then practically darted at the front door.
"Fuck, there are so many things I want to tell you," Duncan murmured in my ear. "But I need a bit more patience."
"I have none left," I confessed.
"Riley!" He put a hand on my waist and pressed his fingers on my skin. This sexy man was close to losing control. But he was right. Not yet.
The doorbell rang, and I felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of water at us. I stepped back and hurried to the front door, with Duncan hot on my heels.
Knox and Finn were standing on the porch when I opened the door. Knox had a shit-eating grin on his face, looking at Duncan.
Finn just whistled, looking over my shoulder. "What are those? Flowers?"
"Poppies," Jeremy informed them. “Two thousand of them. Dad and I went to eight florist shops to get that many.”
Knox jerked his head back. "Man, I've got to give you credit. You've got skills." Then he looked straight at me. "Riley, you've brought out a side of our brother we weren't aware of."
"Yeah, I'd bet all my money that he wasn't aware of it either," Finn continued.
"What do you mean? What side?" Jeremy looked at Duncan, who just laughed.
"They’re talking metaphorically, Jeremy."
Knox looked down at my hands and then back up at Duncan. "Jeremy, are you ready to go? Don't want to be late. If we make it there in good time, we can eat before the movie."
"Yes, I'm ready," Jeremy said, then darted toward the car without as much as a goodbye to me or Duncan.
"I'll never get used to it," Duncan said. "Someone from the family comes to pick him up, and he suddenly doesn't give a flying fuck about me."
"About us," I corrected him.
He grinned. "You're right, about us."
"All right, we don't want to be the third and fourth wheels," Finn said, then immediately walked toward the car. He opened the door for Jeremy to climb in.
"Hey, I don't mind being their third wheel for a few seconds longer," Knox said, not moving at all. "Did you like the wine?"
"Knox," Duncan said in a warning tone.
"Oh come on, man. You have to give me some credit?—”
“I didn't bring out the wine yet."
Knox's face fell. "Fuck."
"Yeah, exactly."
Knox gave me an apologetic smile. "Forget I just asked that. In fact, forget that I ever mentioned wine."
"Repeating that is surely going to make her forget it," Duncan said, clearly running out of patience.
I was fighting my laughter with all I had, but I wouldn't be able to hold back much longer.
"You know what? I'm just going to go. But wait, did you also not get to the part with—” Knox began, as if he couldn't help himself.
"Knox, car, now," Duncan said.
"Got it. Okay, you two have fun."
"Oh, we will," I said.
Knox turned and headed to the car. We watched them in silence as they drove off. Then we took a step back, and Duncan closed the door. I couldn't hold my laughter in any longer.
Duncan smiled, shaking his head.
"Let me guess. Your brothers had an inkling of what you were planning for today?"
"Yes, they did. And Knox has no clue how to back off.” He groaned.
“Fuck, I can't believe we're finally alone.
It felt like Knox was never going to leave.
" Duncan put an arm around my waist. I placed both hands on his chest as he brushed his fingers across my cheek, leaning into his touch. I needed it so much.
"How did all of this happen?" I murmured.
"After we spoke on the phone, I opened up to Jeremy. I know we said we'd do it together, but it felt right."
"You're his dad, Duncan. You don't have to explain yourself to me. You know best when the time is right."
"I felt like he had to know about us and how deeply I feel about you. I want you to be part of our life. I love you, Riley, with everything I have and everything I am. You mean so much to me that I don't even know how to express it in words."
"I feel the same about you," I assured him.
"About what Jeremy said… that wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I didn't want him to spring it on you right away about moving."
"But I want to. As long as you want me to,” I added quickly.
What if Jeremy had gotten his wires crossed?
"That's exactly what I want, so then I can spend as much time as possible with you. I want to have you in my bed every night, wake up next to you every morning, and be a family."
I nodded, and now I wasn't holding back my tears anymore.
"I've fallen in love with you so damn hard," he said, "and so damn fast. I wouldn't change a thing."
"Really? But you like everything to happen on your own timeline.”
He laughed. "True, but as I've learned with you, not everything can happen on my terms, and I'm more than fine with that."
He peppered light kisses from my temple to the corner of my mouth. “Sometimes it's better to just let things take their course and surrender to them.”
I never thought Duncan would surrender to anything. And yet he’d surrendered to his feelings for me.
"I fucking love you, Riley." He covered my mouth with his. I gave in to the kiss completely, only pausing to breathe.
Then I felt us move throughout the bungalow. We were heading to my bedroom.
"Wait, my roommates?—”
"They're not going to come back for a while."
"You told them about this?"
"Hell yes. Wasn't going to leave anything to chance."
"And what about that wine Knox mentioned?" I teased.
"We'll get into that later. Fucking Knox," he said, kissing me again.
And this time I didn't tease him anymore. In fact, I didn't interrupt him at all.