is going to come up with the idea on their own."
With Trina at her side, she quickly purchased the orange pop and vanilla ice cream needed for tonight's spontaneous treat. Nothing made her feel better than indulging, and if she was right, Trina needed a boost today, too.
The boys were spread out on the couch at home, playing on their phones, when she walked in. She flashed a conspiracy look at Trina and cleared her throat, gaining Kenny and Zach's attention.
Only when they noticed Trina with her did they get up off the couch and help with the groceries. She went into the kitchen and turned on the alarm clock radio she'd picked up in town at the store last week and found the only station that was halfway decent that came in on the mountain. Luckily for her, it was an eighties rock station, sure to pep her up.
"What's for dinner?" Kenny looked inside the bag. "Hey, are we having floats?"
"Later." She smooched his cheek. "Help your brother entertain Trina while I cook, yeah?"
"Yeah, okay." Kenny walked into the living room.
Little brothers filled the position of third wheel, and it was her intention not to let Zach and Trina be alone under her roof.
She opened the freezer, thankful for whatever reason that Ruger left it behind when he moved out. Pulling out some already formed hamburger patties, she put four in a skillet and set them to cooking.
There was still macaroni salad left over from yesterday that would do for tonight. While the meat cooked, she danced in front of the stove, caught up in Lynyrd Skynyrd singing Sweet Home Alabama.
"Mom!"
She danced her way to the living room with the spatula in her hand and came to a stop at finding Trip standing inside the house.
"What are you doing here?" she blurted, caught off guard.
After they had sex and spent time at the get-together last Friday, she hadn't seen him for six days—yes, she counted.
Shook from the intensity gawking back at her, she stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the kitchen. She wouldn't want him to say anything in front of the kids, and going by the look in his eyes, he had one thing on his mind.
He cupped her face and kissed her. The big smack took her by surprise, and she stared up at him. Excitement shot through her like light through her chest.
He ran his hands over her face, no rhyme or reason. "I had to see you and couldn't get through on your phone."
That impulsive confession from a man who was direct and always in control was better than the drop-in visit to see her.
"I'm glad you came." She pulled him over toward the stove while she flipped the burgers. "Do you want to stay for dinner?"
He dipped his chin. She retrieved another patty, though she could probably skip dinner now and survive off the excitement over seeing him.
She washed her hands and then slipped her arms around him. "I am so glad you're here. Can you stay awhile?"
He sat down at the table, and she took that as a yes. She filled a glass with water and set it in front of him.
"I don't have any beer." She leaned down and kissed him.
He was too irresistible, sitting in the kitchen, ready for dinner. She checked the burgers, acutely aware of Trip watching her.
Bon Jovi broke into I'll Be There For You over the radio. She swayed, taking the burgers off the skillet and putting them on a paper plate. Before she called the kids, she put the raw patty in the skillet.
Taking out the buns, she brought out all the condiments, lettuce, and sliced the one tomato she had along with some onion and cheese.
"Come and eat," she yelled into the other room.
Grabbing paper plates out of the cupboard, she set them on the table. Without thinking, she started making a hamburger for Trip. She stopped herself. "What do you like on yours?"
He leaned forward and stroked the back of her leg. "Go ahead and eat. I can wait."
"The other patty will be done in a few minutes. This one is yours." She put everything available on the burger, then scooped macaroni salad onto the plate. "Go ahead."
As she assumed, the kids came and slapped cheese on the burger inside a dry bun and returned to the living room to get away from the adults. She finished cooking her patty and then turned down the radio and joined Trip at the