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Another long pause Rhett didn’t try to fill it But then his mother surprised him

“Oh, randparents!” Her squeal nearly deafened Rhett He leaned the phone away as she screamed words Rhett couldn’t understand

“Madeline,” his father said calmly

“I can’t help it, Derek,” she exclaiht you’d have children”

He and she both “It was a surprise, but a good one” And he was beginning to realize just how good after this

“Are you two serious?” his father asked

A valid question since Rhett had never mentioned Kinsley at any of the ti “More serious than I’ve been with anyone” Which was the stone-cold truth He’d never slept with a woman more than once, but Kinsley…yeah, this was different “We’re…figuring how all this is going to work”

“Sounds like a good way forward,” Dad said

“Can I call her?” Mom asked

That request was not unexpected She knew Kinsley very well They’d all grown up around each other “Are you going to harass her, obsess over this, or in any way drive her nuts?”

“Rhett West, of course I won’t,” his mother rebuked him

“Then I’m sure she’d love to hear from you”

“Okay, well, let me call her then Bye, honey We’re so excited for you Love you, and Happy Birthday”

The phone line went dead Rhett laughed and shook his head His mother was a force, much like Kinsley Truth was, she wanted details Details she knew Rhett wouldn’t have He placed his cell back on his desk and sighed That went better than he thought it would Rhett smiled at the joy in his an wanting to hold on to

A knock on his door erased his smile Asher opened the door and said, “You can’t hide in here until your birthday is over”