“He has a job, a team, school, friends, and family. I think you have a good shot at keeping custody. You’ve really stepped up.”
“You think so?” he asked.
“I don’t know anything about custody laws or judges, but you’ve done a great job. That’s all anyone can do.”
Ryan’s shoulders lowered like my words had given him the relief he needed to take the pressure off. “I needed to hear that.”
I wanted to be the person who was there for him, supporting him. I couldn’t think too hard about the outcome because if I did, I’d walk away before he could. Worst-case scenario was Corey being sent to live with his mother in Texas. Ryan would follow, and I’d be shattered. I barely survived my mom leaving all those years ago. How would I survive this?
We ate our s’mores sitting next to each other in front of the fire. Occasionally, the wind blew the smoke in one direction or the other, and we’d laugh and move to a different chair to avoid it. Eventually, Ryan said, “Just sit with me.”
“What about Corey?” I asked before perching on his knee.
Ryan glanced ruefully at the house. “I have a feeling he’s going to stay in his room the rest of the night.”
I chuckled, snuggling into his chest. “Typical teenager. We rent a house on a river, and he hides in his room.”
“Most likely with his earphones on and his face buried in the phone,” Ryan agreed.
I ate the last bite of my s’more and wiggled my fingers. “My hands are sticky.”
Ryan sucked my finger into his mouth.
“Ryan,” I protested, even as my pussy clenched with need.
Then he kissed me, slow and sweet. He tasted like chocolate and marshmallows.
I was warm and content in his arms, the wind occasionally blowing my hair, and the air cooling my heated cheeks.
“You taste good,” Ryan said when he finally came up for air.
“It’s the s’mores,” I teased.
His gaze on mine was steady. “It’s you.”
I rested my cheek on his shoulder, the moon illuminating the waves of the river. “It’s so beautiful here.”
“Wouldn’t you love to live here year-round?”
“Definitely.” The thought of owning a vacation home was so out of the realm of possibilities. In a few months, I wouldn’t even have a job. Who knew if I could make any money writing?
“One day.”
I snuggled in deeper, loving the idea of planning a future with Ryan.
“You’re making s’mores?”
My head came up at the sound of Corey’s voice so close to us.
“Umph,” Ryan said when the top of my head collided with Ryan’s chin.
“Sorry,” I said to Ryan as he rubbed the offending spot.
“You have a hard head,” Ryan said ruefully.
I resisted the urge to soothe the spot with a kiss because I was very aware that we weren’t alone.
“You don’t have to move because of me. I can get it myself.” Corey’s voice brought me back to the present.