The Man Who Has No Love - Victoria Quinn Page 0,21

his shopping.

“Sometimes, I forget he’s not an adult who can just pick out what he wants.” I pulled out my phone and looked through the selections. “There’s a couple kid movies. One starts in an hour.”

“Perfect. And I’ll get a bag of popcorn.”

“I thought we were having dinner after.”

“I know.”

I chuckled, loving how cute she was. “I’ll buy you a big bag. It’s the least I can do after what you’ve done today.”

“What I’ve done today?” she asked incredulously. “You didn’t need me, Deacon. The only reason I’m here is because I wanted to be.”

Cleo sat beside me in the theatre, while Derek was on my other side. He usually sat between us, the way he did with Valerie and me, but I’d purposely let him sit first so I could manipulate the seating arrangements.

So, I could hold Cleo’s hand during the movie.

Derek had his own small bag of popcorn, so he stuck his hand into the bag, getting butter all over his fingertips, and then placed the kernels into his mouth. Then he licked his fingers and did it over and over again.

I had to remind myself he was a kid—and I should let him be a kid.

Cleo’s hand was gripped in mine, our fingers interlocked. A big bag of popcorn was on her lap, so she dug her hand inside and placed the handful in her mouth throughout the entire movie.

I was the only one who didn’t eat it.

The movie was boring and predictable, but I was happy to be there…and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

At dinner, Valerie texted me. Are you still out with Derek?

I hated seeing her name on the screen. We’re at dinner.

A little heads-up would have been nice…

Taking him to his parent-teacher meeting would have been nice. Can he stay with me tonight? I hadn’t asked for him yet, trying to take it slow. But after spending the day with him, I wasn’t eager to give him up.

Yeah, I guess that’s fine.

I put the phone down and signed the bill in the folder. “Derek, Mom said you could stay with me tonight.”

“Awesome!” He raised both fists into the air.

The only bad thing about having him stay with me was Cleo couldn’t stay with me. But maybe one day she could.

We left the restaurant and headed back to our building. The driver dropped her off first before we headed to my condo. We took the elevator to my floor and then walked inside.

It’d been a long day for Derek. He was tired but doing his best to stay awake.

I put a movie on the TV in the living room and lay with him on the couch, knowing he’d fall asleep within the first half of the movie.

Derek had a blanket pulled over his legs, and he leaned into my side with his knees to his chest.

I’d skipped the office and didn’t get to work when I got home like I normally would. Having my son and Cleo around forced me to work less, but it didn’t bother me. I was definitely happier, so it didn’t make sense to regret it.

“Dad?” Derek asked quietly.

“Yes, little man?” My fingers moved through his hair.

“Is Cleo my other mommy?”

I stilled at his question, not expecting him to say something so unexpected. My fingers left his hair. “Why do you ask that?”

“Because when moms and dads break up, they find new people…and those people become other moms and dads, right?”

“Stepparents, yes.”

“Well, is she my stepmother?” He shifted away so he could look up at me.

“No, she’s not. Why would you think that?”

He shrugged. “I saw you holding hands at the movies…”

I guess it wasn’t dark enough to hide our affection.

“And I saw you kiss…” He giggled, like it was something to be embarrassed by.

Shit.

“It was gross,” he said with a laugh.

Damn, kids picked up on stuff quick.

How did I handle this? “When a parent gets remarried, the person they marry becomes a stepparent. Cleo and I aren’t married.”

“Are you going to marry her?”

“Maybe…someday.”

“Ooh…”

“Derek, I need you to do me a big favor.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t mention this to Mom.”

Now, he looked confused.

“I just… It makes my life a lot easier if you don’t say anything.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “You know how Mom makes me sad?”

He nodded.

“She would make me really sad if she knew.”

“But why? Cleo makes you happy. I love Cleo.”

I smiled. “It’s complicated. But I’m glad that you like her so much.”

“She’s awesome. She makes me happy.”

“Yeah, I know.” I patted his head.

“I’ll keep your secret, Dad.”

“Thanks, man.”

“How long do I