I’m in love with him. I don’t know when it happened exactly, but I finally admitted it to myself the minute I saw him tuck my son under his arm and stride away like it was the most natural thing.

Zeke lifts Christian off his shoulders and sets him on the ground as I climb out of the car. He runs to me, hugs my legs, and then says damn like he’s trying out a new word and wants to hear his own voice say something he’s heard. I arch a brow at Joel whose face goes panic-stricken. The guys laugh which only eggs Christian on.

“Damn,” he says again.

“Real nice, guys.”

“My bad,” Nathan says as Joel punches him in the arm.

I squat down to eye level. “That’s a grown-up word.”

“Oh.” His eyes go big and round.

I feel Joel next to me before he leans down. “Sorry, buddy. Nathan said a bad word, but he’s sorry. Right, Nathan?”

I glance up to see Nathan standing there, rubbing the back of his neck and looking sheepish. “Sorry about that, Katrina.” He looks to Christian. “Only dumb guys like me use that word. You’re too smart for that, right?” He offers his fist and Christian bumps it.

Satisfied, Nathan walks away leaving me with Joel and Christian.

“Sorry,” he says quietly, leaning in and kissing me softly on the lips.

“I can’t even pretend to be mad. I’m still too amped up from driving your car. I may never give it back.”

“Don’t even think about it, babydoll.”

Christian pulls on both our arms and we swing him between us.

“I should get him home. Thank you for this.”

We shuffle awkwardly, neither of us walking away.

“Are you coming over?” Christian asks, finally saying the thing I was too chicken shit to ask.

One side of his mouth pulls up and he nods. “Yeah, if that’s cool with your mom.” Both turn to me like there’s any real question.

“Yeah, of course.”

A full-blown smile stretches out on his face. “I got practice in the morning and an away game this weekend so probably the last chance to hang for a few days. I just need to grab my stuff. I’ll be over in a few.”

I bite down on my tongue to keep from voicing my excitement that he’s talking in future terms. Okay, it’s not exactly a lifelong commitment, but the fact he thinks we’ll still be hanging out next week is good enough for me. Baby steps.

I smile and turn to leave, feeling the best I have in so long. It strikes me how easy this feels. There really is something to the Joel Moreno life, I guess.

Joel clears his throat behind me, and I swivel my head to find him smirking with his hand held out.

“Oh fine,” I say and hand him his keys. “Come on Christian.”

I’m still floating around wondering when life got so damn good when Joel walks into my apartment. Christian runs to him and hugs his legs like it’s all just part of our routine before running back to his pizza.