The Other F-Word Read Online Free

man looked at him curiously before leaving to fetch them. Oh crap.
    His OCD was acting up, as he liked to say. The only thing that would help was arranging something. Anything. And now that Marley’s hair was in tip top shape, he needed to keep his hands busy.
    I rubbed his arm. “I’ll count, you build. Okay?” Usually my counting helped him get through it a bit faster. The frustration set in when he lost count.
    “I’m such a freak. I can’t even enjoy my best friend’s wedding.”
    I took his face in my hands and turned him towards me. “There is nothing wrong with you. Your mind works differently than others, and that doesn’t make you strange…it makes you special. I’m so glad you came into Marley’s life because you’ve been such a good friend to her. More than a friend…a brother. As far as I’m concerned, you’re family and you always will be. So I say, let’s make some towers.”
    He started lining them up. “Thank you for counting, Emmie.”
    “Thank you for catching my bouquet, son. The next one belongs to you though.”
    “I love you, Mom.”
    I felt the solid lump in my throat get bigger. He’d never called me mom. The title touched me. If I could, I would solve all his problems, like I’d tried with Marley. A mother may never accept it, but she can understand that her children have to figure it out for themselves. “I love you too,” I said, kissing his head.

Chapter Two
    I walked out of the hotel with aching feet and that perfect level of drunkenness—stumbling and happy, but not stupid and queasy. Thank God Rick had had the foresight to have several limos waiting for us so we could drink freely. And boy had I. Rick and Marley were staying at the hotel then leaving for the airport in the morning for Jamaica. I wasn’t looking forward to the empty house. They’d got their own place and moved out a few weeks ago. The charming bungalow they’d chosen in Edison Park would be perfect for my future grandchildren. Stevie and Adam had their own place in Chicago Heights not too far from me. Billie would be going back to school tomorrow. For the first time in my life, I was an empty nester. I sat in the limo, pushing those thoughts away and focusing on the memories of my daughter walking down the aisle. Dillon slid next to me. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
    “Wasn’t it an amazing night?”
    “Not yet, but I think it could be,” a deep, gravelly voice answered, causing my throat to go dry despite the copious amounts of liquor I’d consumed.
    Shit. This was a huge hotel with multiple functions. Why hadn’t I checked before hopping into the car like I owned it?
    “I’m in the wrong limo,” I said, scooting towards the door.
    He clasped my arm. “Or maybe you’re in the right one.”
    My flesh broke out into goosebumps from the contact of his skin against mine. What was going on? This was the reaction of a shy school girl, not a confident woman like myself. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
    “Wait.” There was a command in that voice that I didn’t question. I halted right away.
    “I believe this is yours,” he said, handing me the bouquet. I cursed the flowers because their sweet scent masked his masculine, intoxicating one.
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Tell me I’m not too late.”
    “I don’t follow.”
    “Are you the bride or did you catch this?”
    “Neither. It sort of slapped me in the face.”
    He chuckled—a deep and hearty laugh. “Maybe it’s fate’s way of telling you something.”
    “Or maybe I just have bad reflexes,” I said, realising my ragged breathing and shaky hands gave away my feelings. I pulled the door handle several times. It wouldn’t release.
    Then I heard the click.
    “I’ll let you escape, if that’s what you want.”
    I almost toppled out of the door, but managed to catch myself.
    The overhead lights came on and I paused, much longer than acceptable, drinking in the sight of him. His deep voice turned me on, but his face was