My heart fluttered a little as I looked up at him and remembered what it felt like to be held in his arms. I looked away as the blush crept into my cheeks and wondered how I was going to live and work in such close proximity to the man who made my body ache with longing.
"Okay, I'll say yes, but it's because Riley needs a decent meal," I said looking back up at him once I'd gotten myself under control again. "Dinner is all it is. We won't overstay our welcome."
"Oh, I think you'll be surprised by how wide the welcome mat is at my mother's house," he grinned as he reached out and rested a hand on my shoulder. "I'm glad you'll be having dinner with us, Leah."
I swallowed hard and nodded, knowing that whatever came out of my mouth at that moment would be completely inadequate. I looked up and smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jack
It was well after six when I ushered Leah and Riley to the waiting car and told Jimmy to take us home. Riley peppered me with questions about my mother's house for the entire ride, which relieved the tension between Leah and me.
"How big is her house?" Riley asked.
"Super huge," I replied.
"That's not an accurate measurement in real estate terms, Jack," Riley said with a disapproving look. I laughed because I remembered how I used to give my parents the same look when they gave me an unsatisfying answer to questions I'd asked.
"Fine, my mother's house is approximately 10,000 square feet," I said.
"You're kidding, right?" Riley said as she dropped her jaw and stared at me.
"Not kidding at all," I replied seriously. "It's why she can have guests like you come and stay at a moment's notice."
"Our house is less than 2,000 square feet," Riley observed. "That means your mom's house is . . . four, no five times bigger than ours."
"Good job on the math," I said nodding. "At least you know you're not losing anything while you're out of school."
"Very funny," she said as she flashed me a grin that I understood to mean exactly the opposite of what she said.
"Looks aren't everything," I replied, much to Riley's delight as she cracked up, then turned to watch the city rush by. Leah gave me a grateful smile before she too turned and looked out the window. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking about, but I knew the answer was likely to be something she didn't want Riley to hear so I let it go.
When we pulled up in front of my mother's house, Riley let out a small shriek before she shoved her weight against the car door and went running up the front steps. I laughed as I helped Leah out of the car and nodded at Jimmy as he went around to the trunk to get the packages I'd asked him to pick up.
"Who are you?" Riley asked as the butler opened the front door and invited her inside.
"I'm Martin, the butler," he replied in a formal tone as he gave me a quick questioning look. I simply nodded.
"Do you always open the door?" she asked.
"I do," Martin nodded. "Mrs. Yates is waiting for you in the dining room at the end of the hall. Please join her."
Riley, Leah, and I walked back to the dining room where my mother was sitting at the head of the table already surrounded by Lincoln, Jessie, Joey, and Mimi.
"Uncle Jack!" Joey cried as he hopped down off of his chair and ran around the table. "I waited for you!"
"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" I said as the small child threw his arms around my leg and hugged it tightly.
"It's me—Joey," he said looking up at me through eyes that looked eerily like his father's. "Don't you recognize me?"
"Indeed I do," I said reaching down and grabbing him under his arms so I could swing him up to sit on my hip. "And I've brought guests I'd like you to meet. Joey, this is Riley, and this is Leah. Leah and Riley, I'd like you to meet my nephew, Joey."
"Hi, Joey," Riley said as she stuck out a hand for him to shake. He shook it while staring at her without saying a word.
"Hi, Joey," Leah said as she also offered her hand. Joey shook it and then looked at me.
"They are grown up ladies, Uncle Jack," he said solemnly.