Temptation Trails - Page 133

I was probably letting my imagination run away with me. But I’d tell Garrett anyway, just in case.

CHAPTER 33

Harper

Going home—even though it technically wasn’t my home—had never felt so good. Garrett’s car was outside and Owen’s bike leaned against the garage door. They were there. My love and my…

I wasn’t quite sure what Owen and I were to each other yet. He was my baby’s older brother and I liked to think we were friends.

Was I going to end up as his stepmom? Was that where this was going?

I hoped so.

Not that I had any clue how to be a stepmom, especially to a teenage boy. But Owen was so awesome. And if I was, that would mean we were all…

A family.

That was what I loved so much about seeing signs of them outside, knowing they were there. The idea of coming home to a family—a family where I actually belonged—was so tempting and beautiful, it made my heart ache.

I really needed to get myself together. Were my hormones acting up again? I swiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. I was so emotional.

I’d also had a weird day.

The good news was, Mila’s baking audition had gone really well. Her chocolate chip cookies had come out perfectly—rich and gooey, with just the right amount of crispness around the edges. And she had an impressive set of cake decorating skills. Even better, when I’d offered her the job, she’d accepted on the spot. She still had some things to learn, but I thought of it as a good thing. She wasn’t too set in her ways and could learn some of the Angel Cakes tricks.

Having another baker was going to take a lot of pressure off. And the timing was… I wasn’t going to say lucky. But it was fortunate. She’d have plenty of time to get comfortable with our setup before I went on maternity leave.

I got out of my car and walked inside on tired feet. I didn’t see Owen—he was probably upstairs in his room—but Garrett stood in the kitchen, his back to me. He’d already changed out of his uniform into a white T-shirt and gray joggers, and it looked like he was prepping something for dinner.

Making dinner. So simple, and yet so meaningful. I loved him so much.

I put my things down and by the way he shifted his head, I could tell he’d heard me. I went into the kitchen, sidled up behind him, and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was warm and solid and strong.

When he pulled me around to his front and put his arms around me, I sank into his embrace, resting my head on his chest. The tension of the day melted, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in him.

I shifted away and he moved in for a kiss. His lips were firm and soft, his kiss indulgent. How had I gotten so…

Nope. Not lucky. I didn’t want to even think it, lest my bad luck swoop in and ruin everything.

He leaned in to speak low into my ear. “Hi, love. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“How was your day?”

“Good. And also weird.”

“Gross, you guys,” Owen said. “Stop making out in the kitchen.”

Garrett glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to me. With a subtle grin, he kissed me again while Owen groaned.

“If you don’t stop, I’m going to Grandma and Grandpa’s for dinner.”

“Should we let him go?” Garrett asked, then brushed my lips with another kiss. “Then we could be alone.”

“That’s even worse,” Owen said. “Is this what my life is going to be like now?”

I peeked around Garrett’s shoulder and smiled at him. “Yes.”