He nodded. “I think that’s what happened to the two of them. There was no affair, nothing scandalous that ended their marriage. They just realized they weren’t right for each other anymore.”
Jenna ached for the loss of Ty’s parents’ marriage, and the end of the stability he once knew. Divorce was never easy on a kid. She’d seen several of her friends go through it, and the havoc it wreaked on their lives. “Unfortunately, there’s no test of compatibility to see how couples will survive together, despite what they say on those online dating sites. There’s always a risk you take when you agree to spend the rest of your life with someone. Sadly, sometimes the kids are the ones most affected.”
She leaned into him and he used his finger to tip her chin up, pressing his lips to hers. “I’m okay, babe. It was a long time ago. But thanks for understanding. You ready for this?”
She managed a bright smile. “Sure. I’m looking forward to meeting your parents.”
He let out a short laugh that made her wonder what she was going to be dealing with tonight.
They got into the car Ty had rented and he drove to this amazing neighborhood filled with tiny row houses tucked close together. He parked in front of a narrow-frame, two-story pale blue house with white shutters on each window. Jenna instantly fell in love with it.
She wanted to take pictures of it. She wanted to live in it. The atmosphere was warm and homey and she could already imagine children running up and down this street. No wonder Ty’s mother had stayed in this house, in this neighborhood.
“What are you doing?” he asked as they stood on the sidewalk in front of the house.
She tilted her head back and looked at him. “Seeing you here as a kid.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. It fits.”
Tyler slid his hand in hers. A small bay window sat off to the right side of the porch. She wondered what room that was. If it was the living room, she could imagine the Christmas tree lit up, twinkling in greeting as people walked down the street. All the homes sat close, so it must be a tight community.
Then again this could be nothing more than fantasy she’d conjured up in her own mind.
They walked up the painted blue steps to the small front porch.
“I love this house,” she whispered to him, and he squeezed her hand.
She could see him jumping off that porch onto the narrow side yard or into the bushes. Boys did that.
He opened the door and walked inside. The rooms were cozy and warm, the ceilings high. There was a vintage feel to the home even though an oversize, flat-screen television sat in the living room. And yes, the bay window belonged to the living room.
A diminutive woman came rushing in, wiping her hands on the apron she wore.
“Ty,” she said in a quiet yet excited voice.
Jenna stood back and watched as Ty swept his mother up in an embrace, kissed her cheek, then set her back on the floor.
His mother was nothing short of stunning. China doll features, she had dark hair that she wore pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a beige dress that had to be expensive, and pumps. Jenna was happy she’d dressed up.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” His mother beamed up at him, and the pride Jenna saw on his mother’s face was evident. “Now introduce me to your friend.”
Jenna also noted the word “friend.” Not girlfriend, but friend. His mother wanted distance between Ty and Jenna. Duly noted.
“Mom, this is Jenna Riley. Jenna, this is my mother, Louise Davis.”
Not Anderson? Tyler hadn’t mentioned his mother had remarried, but okay.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs.—”
“You can call me Louise. So nice to meet you, Jenna.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Louise. Your home is beautiful.”
“Thank you. Please come in. Take off your coat and get comfortable. Would you like a cocktail?”
“No, thanks. I’d love to see the house.”
“Of course. Tyler, take her on a tour. I’ll check on dinner. I hope you like beef Wellington, Jenna.”
Wow. “I love it. Thank you.”
Tyler took her hand. “A tour it is. Let’s start upstairs.”
She followed him up the staircase.
He stopped at the top. “There’s really nothing up here.”
She pushed at his chest. “Shut up. I want to see your house.”
He rolled his eyes and led her down the hall. “This is my mom’s room.”
It was perfect. Cozy and feminine, with a mauve bedspread, muted, earth-toned pillows, an antique dresser, and a bath off to the side. The room was painted a light beige, with eggshell wainscoting.
“I could so live in that room. Did your mom decorate it?”
“That’s her thing. Seems to me like it’s a different color every time I come home.”
She laughed. “You know what they say about a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.”
“Yeah, well, Mom likes to do that plenty.”
They moved down the hall to another room. “Sewing room. This is where she does that fabric and sewing machine stuff.”