“Amanda asked if Jade can stay with me a few nights a week through this school year. She’s getting married. He lives in New York City, and she’s going to split her time. Jade wants to finish her last year of school here.”
“Wow, Declan. That’s the most trust Amanda has ever shown you. How are you feeling about it?”
“I’m so excited. I never thought I’d have this opportunity. Real family time with my daughter. I’ve missed so much of her life. I want to cram everything into this next year with her. I only hope the woman I’m seeing is good with it. Her kids are grown. She didn’t realize she was getting involved with a man that would have a teenage daughter living with him half the time.”
“Did you say she has grown kids? Is she an actual adult?”
I laugh. Why is this everyone’s reaction? “Yes, she’s older. Not my usual type.”
He looks completely shocked, much like Amanda did. “This could be really good for you, Declan. A more mature woman might be what you need.”
I couldn’t agree more. I just hope I’m what she needs.
I quickly head home to shower, grab a camera, and then go back to Melissa’s. I can’t wait to spend the afternoon with her.
I see Jerry in the lobby when I return. I hand him a cheesesteak from his favorite spot. I quickly found out the way to Jerry’s heart. He thanks me as he gives me access to the elevator up to Melissa’s place.
When I enter her condo, I see her standing nearby. She turns when she notices me. Before she can speak, I quickly grab her and dip her into a long, deep kiss.
When I pull her up, she has a dazed look on her face as she runs her fingers through my hair and gives me a smile. “Declan, I wasn’t expecting you back so soon.”
I smile into her mouth. “I missed you. We have a date for this afternoon.”
All of a sudden, I hear, “Mom?”
I turn and see a young, attractive couple in their twenties. A tall, broad man who very much resembles Melissa, and a petite woman with long brown hair. They’re both grinning from ear to ear.
Melissa immediately snaps out of her haze. “Hayden, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t know my friend was coming by this early. Hayden, Jess, this is my friend Declan. Declan, this is my son Hayden and his new wife Jessica. They just got back from their honeymoon last night.”
I whisper, “Do you want me to leave?”
She shakes her head. Hayden makes his way over and holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Declan.”
I shake his hand back. “You too, Hayden. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you.” He turns to Melissa. “You said you didn’t expect him back so soon. Does that mean he was here this morning?” Hayden has a big grin. I can’t help but do the same. Jess giggles.
She gives him a small smile. “That, my love, is none of your business.” She turns to me. “I have some lunch prepared in the kitchen. We were just about to eat. Join us?”
“Are you sure?” I know this is awfully quick to be meeting each other’s kids.
She nods. “It’s fine.”
I spend lunch getting to know Hayden and Jessica. Hayden just finished medical school and will be spending the rest of the summer studying for his Boards. His residency begins in September. Jessica is a surgical nurse at a local hospital. They’re expecting their first child a little after the New Year. They’re genuinely nice, good kids. I’m not surprised.
They leave after lunch to go see their father, Melissa’s ex-husband.
Once they leave, I say to Melissa, “I’m sorry if I intruded. I know it’s early to meet the kids.”
She shrugs. “It’s not a big deal. My kids aren’t babies. They know I date. I have no doubt they’ll be at their father’s telling his whole big family about it. I’ll get a call from Jackson either tonight or tomorrowchecking in on me, because despite nearly a decade of being divorced, he still worries about me.” She smiles.
I don’t like that. “Anything I need to be worried about?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Not even a little bit. He’s so blissfully married, sometimes I’m not sure they live on planet earth. She has three kids and a few grandkids now too. All is la la land happy in their house.”
“If he’s such a nice guy, and you get along so well, why didn’t you two work out?”
She gives me a sexy look. “Maybe I don’t like nice guys.”