TASTE: A Stepbrother Romance Read Free

bargain pretty well.”
    “Well, it has been about four months now.”
    I gasp, my mouth hanging wide open. “ Four months? And at no point did you think that I should know?” Now I am a bit worried because things between my mom and this Jared sound serious.
    I know I should be happy for her, and I really want to be, but I have a sinking feeling that things are about to change drastically around here. It has been just the two of us for so long, I can’t picture anyone else in the mix. Anyone else but my father that is.
    She shifts from foot to foot uncomfortably. “Honey, I really wanted to tell you, but I wanted to make sure things would work between us before I introduced him to you.“
    I sigh, “I guess I can understand that, mom.” I force out a smile. “I’m glad you have found someone you like. Have a good time tonight.”
    I will just be here by my lonesome, like every other Friday night. God, my entire life needs a makeover. You know you need help when your widowed mother is having more fun than you.
    She smiles sweetly, “Thank you, my love, I’m sure I will. Jared is so amazing.”
    I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I already dislike this Jared for taking my mother away from me. It hasn’t happened yet, but I can sense that it will happen eventually. Now she’s telling me that he is amazing with a wistful look on her face, so she is definitely a goner.
    “Don’t wait up, dear,” she says as she teeters away on her killer high heels.
    I almost laugh. I hope she doesn’t break anything in those shoes. I lift the remote to flip through the channels, when she swings her head around the wall. “Oh and one more thing, Jared and his son will be joining us for Christmas diner next week. Bye, love you!”
    What? Is she serious? I throw myself back on the couch with a low growl. I don’t want a bunch of guys invading my home. This is supposed to be a girl’s only zone. I groan, as I picture the unknown Jared come through here, followed by a teenage brat that will most likely irritate the hell out of me for the entire evening. “Great, I just can’t wait.” The frown remains on my face as I search for something good to watch.
    *
    It’s Christmas Eve and I can’t say that I am all that excited. My mom and I spent the day together preparing a grand meal for two men that I’ve never met. I am very annoyed because I know she is going all out to impress this Jared character. When a woman tries to make such a great impression on a man with food, things are definitely heating up between them. I at least try to appear happy for my mother’s benefit. As it approaches seven o’clock, her anxiety heightens to a new—and can I say ridiculous— level.
    “Mom, relax, will you? Don’t you think you have been seeing this guy long enough to not be a nervous wreck?”
    I watch as she straightens the cloth napkins on the dining table for the billionth time. “I just want everything to be perfect. This is our first dinner together as a family.”
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it right there, mother. A family? That’s a bit of a stretch considering that you are just dating the man.” Goodness she seems really invested in this relationship; she is already referring to Jared and his kid as family and now I am even more irritated.
    She throws me a strange look but says nothing.
    I should inquire about what her expression and silence means but, I don’t. “I’m going to shower and get dressed.” I stomp off and head up the stairs.
    It pains me to see my middle-aged mother acting like a lovesick teenager.
    I step into the shower and let the hot water wash over me.
    Could it be that I am just a little bit jealous that she has found someone? At least she has the courage to take a chance and go after what she wants.
    Unlike me. I'm in love with man and I’m too afraid to even say hello to him.
    Perhaps I need to follow in my mother’s footsteps and put myself out there.
    What if one day I just walk up to Damon and say