In Love, Never Say Never

Joseph delivered several dishes over and saw me while I was arranging the books in the living room. As he moved, he asked, “Are you preparing for the exam, Mrs. Fuller?”

I nodded. “I’ve wanted to take the exam for a while but had to postpone it after everything that’s happened. Now that I finally have the time to, I might as well do it.”

He smiled. “That’s good. It’s nice to be able to do the things you like.”

It was rare to hear a typically aloof man like Joseph uttering such words.

When Ashton returned with Summer, I was just about to cook after having washed the vegetables.

Noticing me in the kitchen, his slender figure came up to me from behind and held onto me clingily. “Each time I see you in the kitchen, I think I’m the world’s luckiest man.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be silly. Who’s coming over later?”

“John and his fiancée, who’s also your future sister-in-law,” he said with a smirk, leaning down to kiss me on the lips when he caught me giving him a sidelong glance.

I swerved in time to avoid it, chiding, “Stop it. Joseph and Summer are around.”

“Just five seconds,” he said in a husky voice.

But it was never only five seconds with him. Had it not been for the vegetables in the frying pan, it would’ve taken several more five seconds than one hand could count.

a car engine sounded from

get off the car, she jumped on him without any consideration and shouted in excitement,

the passenger side and pulled open

that the woman who would appear in

four years ago, it seemed like she hadn’t changed much. She was as gentle and elegant as she used to be, albeit instead

I guess she’s

turned toward me and smiled faintly. “Ms. Stovall, it’s been a

taking her hand in mine. “It’s been a while

his gaze on me. “If you’re used to living in the apartment in the city center, then don’t shift anymore. A house

It was obvious he was indirectly telling me not to

a slice of meat onto my plate. He

imply that I had lost weight from living alone with no one to

could have a meal in peace.

unable to understand the adults’ conversation. Perhaps children tend to gravitate toward expectant women as she

She tugged at Hannah and said softly, “Ms. Anne, do I have to call you Aunt

Summer and said, “Be good, Summer. Let me know what you want to eat.

you get married, I’ll have to refer to your wife as Aunt. Are you and Ms. Anne

lips. “Kids shouldn’t talk so much