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“Maybe we were,” he says softly. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I love you, too. Dad.”
I round my desk and pull Jake into my arms, hugging him close.
“You’re such a good person, Jake. You’re nothing like your biological parents, nothing like Wally. I promise you that. You’re so kind and genuine, and there isn’t a violent bone in your body. Unless you’re shooting zombies.”
“Yeah, I kill those suckers.”
He pulls back and grins up at me. He’s grown so much since he moved in here. It won’t be long until he’s about as tall as I am.
“Don’t ever wonder if you have your bio father’s tendencies inside of you, Jake, because you don’t. You just couldn’t.”
“I think I’m more like you, and that makes me happy.”
I didn’t know that I could feel so much pride from one simple statement. “Me, too.”
“So, since, you know, I’m calling you Dad and stuff, you said before that if I decided to, I could take your last name.”
I shove my hands into my pockets and nod at him. “Yes, I said that.”
“Would—” He licks his lips. “Would that still be possible?”
“You want to be Jake Wild?”
“If it’s okay with you.”
“Yeah.” I smile back at him as a grin spreads over his handsome face. “Yeah, that’s more than okay with me.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
POLLY
The summer is flying by. It’s already been six weeks since the summer soiree, and the five of us founders of the Collective are already planning the formal party for the fall. It’s been the busiest season for Pocket Full of Polly that I’ve ever had, and being grateful doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel.
For the first time since I opened the business, I feel like I’m well into the black when I balance my books, and I don’t feel like I have to keep a watchful eye on the bank balance every time I want to order new stock or contemplate hiring more part-time help.
I’ve even managed to squirrel away a good chunk of money for the Chanel bag I’ve had my eye on for about a million years.
Ryan has been in and out of town all summer, but true to his word, it’s never been for more than a few days at a time. Jake has even gone with him a few times, and Mac and I took turns seeing to the horses while the guys were gone.
There have been evenings on the patio by the fire, whether at my house or Ryan’s, with cold beer on a hot night. Ryan’s taken me up to his observatory every chance he gets for meteor showers or just to gaze at the night sky.
It’s been a busy, wonderful summer spent with someone that I’m quickly falling in love with.
“Where are you headed off to this evening?” Grace grins at me as she closes out the computer for the night, and I straighten up some T-shirts on a display by the front door.
“I’m having dinner with Ryan,” I reply and check the time. “Crap, I’d better go. I’m running late.”
“You go,” Grace says, shooing me off. “I’ve got this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. We’re almost done anyway. Go have fun with that sexy man of yours.”
I wink at her as I smooth on some pink lip gloss, drop the tube into my bag, and sling it over my shoulder.
“Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it.”
“Have fun.”
