Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“I am too,” I said. “And if that means we start off slow, then that’s what we’ll do.”
She gave a small nod. “What about the column and the gossip and the threesome?”
Laughing, I squeezed her hand. “I like the little threesome thing we already have going on.”
Her brows shot up, and at the exact same moment, they brought out our tacos. I waited for the waitress to walk away again before I clarified.
“You, me, and Charlie.”
The smile that spread across Palmer’s face was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. And somehow, I knew everything was going to be okay.
“She’s still here, Mason. What are you going to do?”
I put the pot I had dried into the cabinet and turned to face my mother. “I am very aware of that fact, Mom. I also think she goes to the Seaside Grill every morning for breakfast to see if Palmer is there.”
Her eyes went wide. “Why would she think she’d see Palmer there?”
I sighed and leaned against the counter. “She knows her family owns the place. She also saw the two of us leave from there together the other day.”
A wide grin erupted on her face.
Putting my hand up, I said, “Don’t.”
She faked a confused expression. “Don’t what?”
I lifted a single brow and gave her a look that said really?
“Did I say a single word when you went to Palmer’s place for dinner last night?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“And did I say anything when the two of you took Charlie to the park this morning to build a snowman?”
I fought the urge to smile at the memory of us playing in the snow with Charlie at the park. I hadn’t seen Charlie laugh or have that much fun in a long time. Palmer was not only good for my soul, but my son’s as well. “No, you didn’t say a word.”
Mom folded her arms across her chest as if to say she’d proven her point.
“We’re taking it slow, Mom. There’s a lot to consider.”
“As you should. You dove headfirst into something with Ashley, and look what that brought you.”
“A handsome grandson,” my father stated as he walked into the kitchen and kissed my mother on the cheek. “Good morning, darling.”
“Morning, how did you sleep?” Mom asked as she poured my father a cup of coffee.
“Like a baby. I’m going to miss that bed.”
Smiling, I reached for my own coffee and joined my dad at the breakfast table. Through the large window in the breakfast nook, I saw a light snow falling outside. “Have you thought any more about when you’re going to move here?” I asked my parents.
Mom placed a bowl of fruit down in front of my father, who promptly asked for a real meal. She ignored him as she sat down next to him.
“Guess not,” he mumbled, taking a bite.
“Your father and I have talked a lot about it. We were originally thinking this summer, but we’ve so enjoyed spending time with Charlie, and now getting to know Palmer like we have… We think it will happen as soon as we can coordinate everything.”
“Really?” I said with a grin. “Charlie is going to be over the moon.”
“We’ve fallen in love with this little town,” Mom said.
Dad finished chewing. “I’m with your mom. I love watching those giant ships coming in. Crazy to think Adelaide’s husband is steering them.”
Mom perked up. “Oh, I just adore her! You lucked out with hiring her.”
Taking a sip of coffee, I replied, “Tell me about it. I couldn’t run my practice without her. The Bradley sisters are all amazing women.”
Mom was clearly trying not to smile, but I saw the corner of her lip twitch.
Dad sat back in his chair. “Well, since your mother and I have officially decided to make the move to Seaside, we told Lou, our realtor friend. He already has a buyer, and the guy wants to move fast. We’re going to have to leave a bit early and head back to Boston if that’s okay with you. I know you were looking forward to us staying for New Year’s Eve.”
I felt a smile spread over my face. The only hard part about moving to Seaside in the first place had been leaving my parents behind. “I’m more than okay with it—if you’re okay with not being here on New Year’s Eve.”
My mother reached her hand across the table for mine. “You truly are the sweetest boy. I know we told Charlie we would have a little family party, but I think you and Palmer can handle doing a little something with him. And since we spent Christmas here, it’s only fair to see Nick for New Year’s. Apparently he’s seeing someone and really wants to introduce us to her.”
“Really?” I said. “Well, hopefully she’s a step up from Ashley. And Charlie will be happy to have you here full time. The quicker you can get here, the better. You know you can stay here as long as you need until you find a place.”