Emily thought that was strange until she noticed the cereal the two of them were polishing off was Cookie Crisp. She never let her son eat sugary cereal. She always told him she may as well just give him a spoon and let him eat right out of the sugar bowl.
She was close to scolding Trevor for eating something he knew he wasn't supposed to but the look on their faces was just too pathetic. She couldn't contain her smile from slipping through.
"Don't get used to eating this," was all she said. She grabbed a bowl and poured the very little amount left in the box for herself. She was surprised to find it was actually quite good. She wouldn't admit that to the smug boys staring at her. "I'm only eating this so you two don't have anymore," she finally said.
Mark let a small chuckle escape so she glared at him, then finished her breakfast. He was eating the cereal as fast as he could, like he ate everything. You would have thought the man grew up in an orphanage, the way he ate.
"Why do you always eat so quickly?" she finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"You try growing up with two older brothers and then you would eat fast too."
Emily chuckled at the image of Lucas and Alex stealing Mark's food. He smiled at her and she almost forgot they needed to have a serious conversation later.
"Mom, don't forget I'm going to the movie today with Jasmine," Trevor said, through sips in his chocolate milk.
"I did forget. Finish up so we can get you dressed. Lucas will be here any time," she said, while starting to clear away dishes from the table.
"I'm done," Trevor said and then dashed up the stairs. He liked nothing more than to spend time with Jasmine, who was his new best friend.
"Wait for me," Emily said, as she chased her son up the stairs. She quickly got him ready to go and by the time they came downstairs, she could hear Jasmine calling for him.
"I'm here Jazzy," Trevor yelled from the top of the stairs and then jumped on the railing and slid down. Emily stared dumbfounded as her son made the long slide down.
"Trevor you can't slide on the rail," she scolded her son. "Whatever gave you that idea?" she questioned.
Trevor looked at her guiltily and then shrugged his shoulders. "It's my fault Emily, I'm sorry. I kind of showed him how to do it," Mark piped up.
Emily turned her astonished gaze on Mark. She then threw her hands in the air in defeat. She couldn't understand men. The banister was beautiful and expensive and they were using it as a slide. She decided to let it go. Sometimes that was the smartest thing to do.
"There you are," Jasmine said as they came around the corner. "I missed you," she grabbed Trevor up in a hug. He hugged her back and they smiled goofy grins at each other. Emily loved how sweet they were together.
"Are you ready to go?" Lucas asked him.
"Yes," Trevor replied with real enthusiasm.
"Is it okay if he stays the night? We're going to be done late and they will have a good time," Lucas asked Emily.
"If you honestly don't think it will be a problem."
"Are you kidding me? He's a great kid. I really enjoy him coming over, plus it's the only time I can get Jasmine to stop talking," he whispered.
Emily chuckled and then kissed her son goodbye. She reminded him to listen to Lucas and Amy and to be on his best behavior.
Lucas took off and suddenly Emily was all alone with Mark. Well, she thought, there was no time like the present to have their conversation.
"Mark we need to have a talk."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
"Last night was magical. It was the greatest night I have ever had."
"Well that sounds like a great conversation. I say we end before you add in a but … " he started to say.
"I wish it were that simple Mark but we both know we can't let it happen again. Trevor is so happy here and this thing between us won't last and then everything will fall apart," she pleaded with him to understand.
"Why can't it last?" he asked her.
"Mark, you're my boss. You are amazing and your family is incredible and I don't want to have an affair and then end up with us not liking each other. Can't we please be thankful we had a great night together and now call it good?" she once again pleaded.
Mark stared into her eyes for several moments, before letting out a long sigh. "I'm not happy about this and I guarantee you I'll try and change your mind but if you need me to back off for now then that's what I'll do," he finally conceded.
"Thank you. Can we please go back to the way things have been?"
"I need to go work out in the barn for a while," was his only answer. He walked out the back door and left her feeling a bit rejected.