Impulse (Billionaire Secrets 5)

“It has been fun,” Simon said with a nod. “I wanted to go fishing to ask you something, though.”

Finn cast his line. “What did you want to ask?”

“I...” His throat went dry. Saying it out loud made it real. Made his intentions clear. That meant it could go terribly wrong. He didn’t know if his heart could survive that. “I want to ask you if it’s okay if I propose to your mom.”

“Whoa.” Finn’s eyes went wide. “Like ask my mom to marry her?”

“Yes, that’s what I mean.” He paused, giving Finn time to process things. “I want to marry your mother. But I’m asking your permission first. If you don’t like the idea, I won’t ask her.”

Finn tilted his head, lost in thought. “Would we live together?”

“Yeah. That’s the plan.” Heather hadn’t actually moved out of his apartment building. Ever since his father’s betrayal had come out, she had opted to stay close by to support him. The thought of her moving out now was almost unbearable to him. “How does that sound? I don’t ever want to take your father’s place.”

“My dad doesn’t call me,” Finn said in a small voice.

Finn’s father hadn’t sent so much as a text message in his absence. They had gotten a message from him two weeks ago through his lawyer, in a statement that had basically declared that he would be out of the picture for good. No matter how much Heather had tried to spin it to make her son feel better, it was clear that it hurt him.

Simon placed a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I know how that feels. No matter what you decide, Finn, I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

Finn stared up at him. “Forever?”

He cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the painful lump that was forming. “Forever.”

“Will you be my dad?”

“I...” There was a stinging in the back of his eyes. “I can’t replace your dad. But I love you like you were my own son.”

“Can I call you ‘Dad’?” Finn asked.

It felt like his heart was growing too fast for his chest to contain it. “Yes, you can.”

“Okay.” Finn turned his attention back to the lake.

“Okay?”

“Okay, you can marry my mom,” Finn said.

“I’m probably going to ask her tonight,” he informed him as he reached for his fishing rod.

“I hope she says yes, Dad.”

SHE PUT THE FINISHING touches on the beautiful table setting. Everything in the cabin dining room was perfect. She had baked the four fish that Simon and Finn had caught earlier today at the lake, and the light blue tablecloth looked lovely underneath the lit candles. All the plates were set and she was now smoothing the tablecloth.

Simon was pouring two glasses of white wine while Finn bounced in his chair impatiently.

“Can we eat now, Mom?” Finn waved his chubby hand, trying to get her attention. “Please?”

“Yes, we can eat.” Using a knife and fork, she set pieces of fish onto Finn’s plate. She had made extra sure to get rid of all the bones, so it would be safe for him to eat.

She sat down beside Simon and he handed her a glass of wine.

Finn held out his empty cup. “Wine for me, please?”

“Nice try,” she said with a laugh. “I made lemonade for you.”

Simon grabbed the lemonade jug and poured Finn a drink.

“What does wine taste like?” Finn asked.