“Thank you for coming. Please ignore my mother. She can be…she’s abrasive.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve had six mothers all together. I can handle yours, and if I can’t, I certainly won’t judge you by anything she says or does.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Six?”
I let out a short breath. “Five fosters before I landed at the Millers’.”
He shakes his head. “I—I didn’t know.”
“How would you? I don’t tell anyone—well, except Stevie. She knows. And now you.”
“Why not? It’s not your fault.”
Isn’t it? That eternally pessimistic inner voice pipes up, sparking my insecurity and doubts about my ability to earn anyone’s unconditional love.
I turn away, hugging myself.
“When people find out I grew up in the system, it usually turns into a pity-fest. Letting them know how many families I had through the years would probably be ten times worse. I don’t need that.”
Ty tries to pull me in for a hug, but I stop him with my palms flat on his chest. “I’m good. Really.”
“You are good. Really good,” he whispers as he takes my hands and pulls them around his waist, dragging me close.
We stand that way for a couple of minutes, with his arms around me, his breath in my hair, and his heartbeat thumping in my ear, strong and steady.
“There he is!” Ty pulls away.
A pretty blonde carries a baby on her hip, a diaper bag hanging from her elbow. She gives a strained smile. “Tyson Masters?”
The chubby baby with wisps of blond hair reaches for Ty. His toothy grin is accompanied by his leg jumping and beating against his aunt’s belly as he tries to push himself into Tyson’s arms.
Tyson takes Caden, holding him high over his head. “Are you happy to see me? I’m happy to see you too, little buddy.”
Caden’s delighted squeal is followed by baby babble interspersed with a couple of random words, including Dada and hi.
Ty brings him in for a hug. “I’ve missed you, son.”
My heart squishes.
The woman holds out her hand to me. “I’m Angela Perkins.”
“Jo Jordan. I’m a friend of—”
Ty pulls me close with his free arm. “Jo’s my fiancée. Nice to meet you, Angela. Thank you for bringing Caden.”
She stiffens. “Until we get the paternity situation straightened out, I suppose it’s the right thing to do.”
A well-dressed woman approaches with an older gentleman following behind, carrying her bag. Ty’s parents have aged, but they still look familiar.
I’ve never been introduced to a guy’s family before. Though this isn’t really a first introduction. They did live next door for years. I’ve met them both in the past…but that was before I was engaged, fake or not, to their son.
I smile even though my mouth is suddenly dry, and my stomach twitches nervously.
Mrs. Masters walks right up to us, looks me up and down, does the same to Angela, and turns to Tyson. “Well, I’m here. What am I supposed to be doing?”
“Mother, thank you for coming. This is Angela Perkins, Caden’s mother’s sister.” Ty gives a strained smile. He tightens his hold around my waist. “Dad, you remember Josephina Jordan? She used to live next door with the Millers.”
His dad smiles and extends his hand. “You’ve grown up so lovely, JoJo.”
I shoot Tyson a grimace.
He shrugs. “Sorry, I’ve always called you JoJo. I guess he picked it up.”
“And how’s my grandson?” Tyson’s mother takes Caden from him, and then she sends Ty a sharp look over the rim of her glasses. “That is, if he’s still my grandson.”
Ty lets out a sigh. “Of course he’s your—”
Mr. Masters steps between his wife and his son, his hand on Tyson’s arm. “He looks just like you did when you were his age. Of course he’s our grandson.”
“Oh, stop it, Randal. We don’t know any such thing. Apparently, this child’s mother might have been taking our son for a ride and milking him for money. He’s not even on the birth certificate.” Her voice rises with every word.
Caden’s smiles melt into red-faced tears.
Ty steps around his dad and gently pulls Caden out of Mrs. Masters’s arms. “He’s my son. It doesn’t matter what’s on some piece of paper. It’s just like you to—”
“Stop it, all of you!” Angela takes the baby from Tyson. “This isn’t good for Caden. I didn’t bring him here so you could argue over whether or not he’s even your child.”
Ty reaches for his son.