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when someone says something nasty about you, but you really do, you just hide it, that’s all.”
    Stunned wonder robbed her of speech for a moment. How did he know so much? I’ve been so careful to keep it concealed .
    Sean cut into her thoughts, saying, “I set them straight though, so it’s all cool now. Hey, Mom, do you think dad thinks I’m a sissy for wearing these pajamas with cars all over them?”
    His question held more than curiosity, it begged for assurance, acceptance.
    “No way. But if it bothers you, we can always buy you some new ones.”
    She detected the release of his breath in the darkened room. “Cool.” Another pause, and then he asked, “Do…do you think he likes me…even just a little?”
    “What’s not to like?” she hastened to answer, to leave no doubt in his mind.
    “I hoped so, but I wasn’t sure.”
    Her heart twisted, wringing out all her hesitations on Devon’s request. Only the gift and joy she could give her son remained behind. What do my concerns matter in the face of granting my son happiness?
    “Hey, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” She stood at the head of his bed, a couple feet from him as he propped his head in his hand with his elbow digging into the spongy pillow.
    “It sounds serious. Is this about me interrupting you two earlier, you know, right after I hung up with Kev? You seemed kind of mad at each other.”
    A tickle of fear edged his last statement. How should she reply? “We were. We haven’t seen each other in years and I think all that old stuff has just been building up inside. We’re trying to sort it all out. Um…that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Your father wants us to be a real family.”
    He sat up quick. “Really? Awesome! Wait till I tell Kev and the guys. Man, all my wishes are coming true in one day.”
    His jubilation made everything right. She’d give this to him and prayed both their hearts were never broken again by Devon Marshall.
    Five minutes later, Jewel walked gingerly across the tiled kitchen floor. Through the living room archway, she watched Devon pace and drag a hand through his thick, wavy hair. Curling her fingers into her palms, she stopped the urge to go to him and feel the satiny texture. But she didn’t halt her exploration of his lean, muscular body in white shirt and black jeans. Contained power, the thought sprang to her mind. What would it be like to touch him, kiss him again? Heat gathered low in her middle.
    “Devon.” It came out sultry. She swallowed hard when he swiveled to face her, his gaze locking with hers. A light flashed in the depths of his eyes, telling her without words the male awareness sparking to life.
    Breaking the enticing connection, she moved to the sofa on shaky legs. “We need to talk.”
    In three long strides, he reached her side. The cushion dipped when he took a seat, bringing his thigh in contact with hers. Warmth branded her, but she restrained herself from pulling away. A part of her longed for the caress.
    “Can I go first?” he asked, startling her at the polite request and the dramatic change in him. Turning to him, she nodded, and he continued, “I’m not good at this part, so bear with me, all right? I’m sorry. I said some pretty vile things to you—”
    “You didn’t mean them?”
    He blew out a breath. The gust of hot air fanned across her face, dragging up other times when he’d done the same only he’d been deep inside her then, breathing heavy. The coil in her abdomen tightened, sending an ache straight to her core.
    “I meant them.”
    His reply brought her crashing down. Confusion took hold. “But you said you were apologizing. What for?”
    “For being an ass.”
    The tension fizzled out of her. “Well, I didn’t know people had to say they were sorry for that. Man, I’ve got a lot of apologies to make.”
    “Join the club, dollface.” A smile laced his words, but it was the easy use of his nickname for her that warmed the