Page 101 of Loving Kai

“And you’re a great kisser.”

“Maybe Milo is too.”

“I wouldn’t know. Nor do I want to. Why are we talking about this?”

“You brought him up.”

When Abe’s phone rang, he got up and retrieved it from the counter. “Mom. Probably checking up on me to make sure I haven’t abandoned my son again.” He answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”

“How’s Kai this evening?”

“He’s fine. Went to bed. Haven’t heard a peep out of him.”

“Did you take his temperature before you put him down?”

No. “Um…yeah. Of course. It was normal.”

“Good. I just wanted to check. Have a good night, honey.”

“You too.” Abe ended the call then turned to Maggie. “I just lied to my mom.”

“About?”

“Taking Kai’s temperature. I guess I was supposed to check it before he went to sleep.”

“He felt fine and was back to himself. He doesn’t have a fever.”

Abe sat back down. “Okay.” He stood again. “I’ll just go feel his head.” He left the kitchen and went to the bedroom. Kai was sleeping soundly, and Abe rested the back of his hand against the boy's forehead. It felt cool, and he sighed. “Good job, kid. You successfully navigated your first illness. At least your first one with me. I made a mess of it, but you were a champ.”

Maggie came up beside Abe and whispered. “He’s fine, right?”

“Yeah.”

“He is so darn cute. I just want to hug and kiss him constantly.”

Abe nodded. “He gets that from his father.”

Maggie nudged him in the ribs. “You are very cute, but your son is cuter.”

“That’s okay. I can live with that.” He put his arm around Maggie’s waist. “Can you… Never mind.”

“What, Abe?”

“Can you see this thing we have going lasting?”

“Like long term?”

“Yeah. Like forever. Or at least until Kai is married with a few kids and we’re old and gray, sitting on the porch reminiscing about the good old days.”

Maggie laid her head against his shoulder. “I can totally see that.”

“Hmm. Okay, then.” He turned to her and hugged her. “This is officially our last first date.”

Chapter twenty-five

“The truth hurts, babe.”

As hard as it was on both of them, Maggie went home at the end of their date rather than waking up the next morning at Abe’s house. While Abe lay in bed trying to fall asleep, he was already planning the next date.