She walks me to the door and my mood drops considerably, knowing our time has come to an end and I won’t see her until she’s ovulating. “Have a great time with your family. Bye, AJ, and thanks again.” She opens the door and I shuffle through, not wanting to leave. I lean forward, pressing my lips to her cheek, inhaling her subtle scent as I do.
“Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Bye, Sare.” I tip my head and give her a final wave, disappointed I can’t do more than that.
CHAPTER15
–aj–
“AJ!”Mom gushes as she almost runs toward me with her arms outstretched. “It’s so good to see you.” I know I don’t visit her as much as she’d like, but she’s acting like she hasn’t seen me all year, rather than the month since our last family dinner. I’ve been avoiding family events like this one because I’m tired of dealing with my grandfather.
“Mom.” She pulls me in tight, kissing my cheeks.
“I’ve missed you so much.” She pulls back, her hands on my biceps. “You’re looking well. Healthy. Happy.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m making sure I eat better and the climbing helps me keep in shape.” She nods, securing her hold on my arm and pulling me through my grandparents’ home and out to the backyard which overlooks the bay. It’s a stunning property, but Hayley and I could never just be kids and jump in the pool or run around the massive space inside. I mean they have a damn ballroom for God’s sake. I’m not sure how my mother grew up here as an only child. I can’t imagine she would have been allowed to have any fun. My earliest memories of spending time here always include the constant shushing and being told we weren’t allowed to do this or touch that. We basically weren’t allowed to be kids whenever we visited.
“Adam, look, AJ’s here,” Mom calls out to Dad as if he didn’t already know I’d arrived, but Mom’s being over the top today for some reason.
“Unca AJ!” Colton calls as he comes running for me. I crouch down to catch him before he’s shushed or told to slow down.
“Hey, little man. How’s my boy?”
Mom’s hand flies up to her chest as she gives Colton a tight smile. “Oh, do you really think it’s appropriate to call him ‘yourboy’?”
I frown at Mom. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he might get confused. You know with you being his biological f-a-t-h-e-r and all.” She widens her eyes to make her point.
“It’s just a phrase, Mom. Don’t stress. But the girls will tell him who I am to him once he’s old enough to understand. It’s not going to be some big secret.”
Colton claps his hands. “You’re my bestest unca!”
I chuckle. “I’d better be your bestest! I’m your only uncle.”
Mom chuckles nervously as Dad steps closer. I hold out my free hand to Dad. “Hey, Dad.”
“Son. Good to see you. Life looks like it’s been treating you well.”
I readjust Colton, holding him more firmly. “Thanks. Life’s pretty great at the moment.”
“Oh yeah.” He raises a dark eyebrow. “Why’s that?”
“Dylan and I won the multi-million-dollar contract we were chasing.” I desperately want to tell my family I’ve met the woman of my dreams, but I fear it’s too soon—Sarah’s still incredibly closed off. Who knows how long it’ll take for me to break through her walls? But if I have the patience to hack into some of the world’s most secure servers, I have the patience to break through Sarah’s firewalls. I smirk at myself.
Dad’s smile is swift. “Congratulations, AJ. I’m proud of you, Son.”
“Thanks, Dad. We worked hard to position ourselves in such a way to even be considered a contender.”
“Good planning is important. Congratulate Dylan for me, too.”
“I will.”
A hand drops heavily onto my shoulder and my muscles lock. “AJ. I’m happy you could make it. We need to talk.”
“Grandfather. We do, but I’m sure it can wait until after lunch.”
“No. I think it’s best to get business out of the way. Join me in my study, please.” I follow him with my eyes as he walks inside expecting me to follow.
I move my gaze back to my parents. Mom is chewing on her bottom lip, tightness pulling around her eyes. “I guess I’ve been summoned.” I place Colton on his feet. “Why don’t you go see if Mama will take you for a swim? I’ll be back in a minute.”