“So what’s the story with Kallie?” she asks. “I know that you guys are together, but I thought maybe you would talk to me before introducing her to Ethan.” My head turns back to Savannah the minute she says the last word.

“Excuse me?” I try not to lose my shit with her. I haven’t told Kallie that the reason that I don’t have her in my house is because the only thing I want from her is Ethan. I don’t tell her that after she left, I was never alone with Savannah in one room. I would bring Beau or meet her in the open so people would see that we weren’t together.

“It’s the first girl you introduce him to, and there is a lot of history there. I was just thinking that you would discuss it with me. This is a big thing in his life, and I don’t want him to feel like his life is being uprooted with it.”

I walk down the steps to her, and I want to shake her. “Savannah, the only thing I talk to you about ever is Ethan,” I say, and she looks up at me. “We made a pact eight years ago, and I’ve kept up my part in it. But things are different now. Kallie is back, and a part of my life, and if I have anything to do with it, she’ll be an even bigger part of it.”

“Trust me, Jacob, I know too well the pact that we made,” she says softly. “I just don’t want Ethan to feel like—”

“She’s here, and she’s back,” I say. “I’m going to talk to Ethan tonight about it. He’s a good kid, and he’ll adapt. And if he doesn’t, we’ll make sure that we are united in this, and that no matter who I’m with or who you’re with, he knows we are still his parents.”

“Fine,” she says and walks away from me to the truck. “Text me later to tell me how it went.”

“Sure thing,” I say and turn to walk into the house. I walk to the kitchen and see Kallie putting a pot on the stove. She looks over at me and glares. “I’m sorry.”

“He came in here,” she whispers, looking over my shoulder to make sure the coast is clear, “and I didn’t know what to say.”

“Well, where is he now?” I look around, and she points to his room.

“Unpacking his bag,” she tells me and wipes a tear away. I walk to her and take her in my arms. “He’s beautiful,” she says. “So beautiful.”

“He is,” I say, and I kiss her lips.

“Why were you outside?” she asks, and I know I should tell her.

“Nothing.” I lie to her, and she glares at me.