Part 15 (1/2)

I won't do it over the phone; he deserves more than that. But I will do it, and soon. No one tells you how hard these things are. I've never been in a situation to care enough about hurting someone, let alone two someones. This has to end, and I'm the only one that can make that happen.

It's about time I prove to myself that there's nothing I won't endure to be with Gavin. Because at the end of the day, he is the only thing in this world I know with complete certainty I don't want to live without.

Chapter Seventeen.

Harlee ”I'm so glad you came.” Kimber smiles from ear to ear, pulling me into a tight hug just moments after I step inside Gavin's mom's house.

”Hey,” I say, pulling back to meet her gaze the moment she releases me.

”When Gavin said he was inviting you, I thought there was no way you would agree.” She loops her arm through mine and pulls me further inside what appears to be a formal sitting room that sits just off the foyer.

”I'm not very good at telling that man no,” I say loud enough so Gavin can hear, throwing him a playful glare as he steps into the room next to me.

”Where's Deck?” He turns his attention to Kimber.

”Your mom has him fixing a loose cabinet in the kitchen,” she says. ”I didn't know he was so handy. Man's been holding out on me.” She nudges my hip with hers.

”That's because he's smart,” Gavin teases, stepping to the side with just enough time to avoid being smacked by Kimber who misses him completely and catches nothing but air.

”You watch yourself, Porter.” She wags her finger at him. ”Come on. Rosie is dying to meet you.” She winks, pulling me through the sitting room and down a short hallway that opens up into a rather large kitchen.

My eyes barely make it past the large island that sits in the center of the room before they land on a pet.i.te, auburn-haired lady, her focus firmly on Decklan as he drills a screw into the cabinet hinge.

”There,” he says when he's finished, pulling on the door to show her that the issue has been fixed.

”Thank you, my boy.” She smiles fondly at Decklan, patting his shoulder. ”Don't know what I'd do without you boys.” She turns, for the first time seeing that Gavin and I have arrived.

”Speaking of my boys.” She smiles widely at her son, immediately crossing the s.p.a.ce toward him.

She has to be a good foot shorter than him and probably half of his weight, but that doesn't stop her from pulling him down to her level as she wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a tight hug.

”So glad you could make it,” she says, taking a step back to look at him moments after releasing him from her embrace.

”Mom,” he says, turning his eyes toward me which draws her attention in my direction, ”I'd like you to meet Harlee.”

Her face immediately lights up as she turns toward me, eyes that match Gavin's instantly finding my gaze.

”My dear, you are simply gorgeous,” she says moments before pulling me into a hug as well.

I try not to tense at the contact but can't help my natural reaction to do just that. I'm not used to being around such affectionate people. I'm pretty sure I can count the times my mother hugged me on one hand. To have someone offer such affection right out of the gate is a bit overwhelming.

”I'm so glad you could come,” she says, releasing me from her embrace before taking both of my hands in hers. ”Gavin has told me all about you. He's quite taken with you. Of course, now I can see why.” She winks, releasing my hands.

”Ignore her,” Gavin interrupts, shaking his head at his mom. ”She gets really excited when she gets to meet new people. It's like bringing home a new puppy; she can't help but love all over it.”

”Did you just compare me to a dog?” I hit him with a playful glare.

”And she has sa.s.s.” Rosie pulls my attention back to her. ”I think you're gonna fit in here just fine.” She winks, turning her attention back to Gavin. ”Why don't you and Decklan go set the table? Leave the girls alone for a bit to chit chat,” she says, shooing Gavin toward the door.

He throws me an apologetic smile before disappearing into the dining room with Decklan. While normally I would probably be panicking over the prospect of being left alone with his mother, there is something about her that just puts me at ease.

”Is there something I can help with?” I ask, gesturing to the bread and various other ingredients spread out across the counter.

”That would be lovely, dear.” She smiles and nods, turning her attention back toward the food. ”Kimber, will you cut some cuc.u.mber for the salad?” she asks, turning to set two large cuc.u.mbers on the island in front of Kimber.

”You got it.” Kimber grabs the vegetables and immediately crosses to the sink to wash them. It's clear that this is not the first time she has helped Rosie in the kitchen.

”Harlee, if you could grab a tomato over there and slice it up for the sandwiches.” She points to a row of tomatoes that line the back of the counter. If I had to guess, I would say they were pulled fresh from a garden within the last day or two. I don't how I know that but I can just tell.

”Of course.” I cross the s.p.a.ce, grabbing the largest of the tomatoes before turning back to Rosie.

”Knives are over there.” She nods to the opposite end of the countertop before I can even open my mouth to ask. ”And there's an extra cutting board in that cabinet.” Again she gestures with her head, dropping two pieces of bread onto the sandwich grill in front of her.

The three of us fall into a steady rhythm, working together in comfortable silence as we prepare lunch. Rosie pauses here and there from what she's doing to ask me a question: what I'm studying in school, where I grew up; the usual basic things. I find it almost unsettling how comfortable she has managed to make me feel in such a short period of time.

It's clear to see I'm not the only one, either. Kimber, who usually is more standoffish than I am, laughs and moves around the kitchen like she's done so a million times before. I have to remind myself that while Kimber had both of her parents growing up; she's never really known what it means to have a real mom.

h.e.l.l, her mom was a lot worse than mine in some ways. While mine was addicted to pills and absent for most of my childhood, Kimber's spent her early years trying to force her to be someone they wanted as a daughter rather than loving her for the amazing girl she already is. I'm not sure what's worse-having a mom who chooses not to love you for you or having a mom who chooses to love something else more.

Watching the way Kimber interacts with Rosie, it's clear to see that she has come to look at her as more than just Gavin's mom. In a way, the thought makes me jealous. Not that Kimber is a part of Gavin's family now; that makes me extremely happy for her. It's more of what Gavin has-what they all have- that makes me so envious.

I try to picture what Gavin's life must have been like as a child. How it felt having someone like Rosie as a mom and a household full of people who loved him. When I close my eyes I can almost see it; the picture perfect family I used to dream about when I was younger. He had it, all of it. And even though he lost his father a couple of years ago, the amount of love and happiness still evident in this house is overwhelming.

”Harlee.” Kimber's voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to see her studying me curiously, a large salad bowl in her hands. ”Come on.” She gestures to the doorway.

”Oh sorry.” I shake my head.

Grabbing the pitcher of iced tea in front of me, I follow her into the dining room that sits just off the kitchen. When we enter the room, Gavin and Decklan are already at the table having a casual conversation with Paxton who must have just arrived. I smile when he nods in my direction, setting the pitcher of tea in the center of the table.

Before I can even turn, I feel Gavin's hand close down around my wrist and tug me sideways. I have no choice but to slide into the chair next to him, hitting him with an annoyed smirk the moment I do.

He raises his eyebrows mischievously, leaning in to rub his nose along my jaw. Paxton groans playfully next to us, turning his attention to Rosie as she enters the room.

”You outdid yourself, Mrs. P.” He looks out over the table as Rosie sets a fresh batch of oatmeal cookies in the center of it.

The entire surface is covered with various foods. From grilled turkey club sandwiches and salad to tomato basil soup and croissants, there is a little something to satisfy just about anyone's tastes.

”I know who I'm feeding.” She gives Paxton a knowing grin. ”I swear you three have been eating me out of house and home for the past fifteen years.” She shakes her head, pulling out the chair at the head of the table.

”And yet you keep inviting us back.” Decklan laughs, dropping an arm around Kimber's shoulder when she takes a seat next to him.

”What can I say?” Rosie shrugs. ”I guess I'm glutton for punishment.” She pauses, looking around the table. ”Well, what are you all waiting for...? Eat.” She gestures to all the food on the table.