I’ve been raising my five-year-old son Luke on my own since forever, and my ex hardly ever sees him. Four months ago, I started dating Jake. He seemed like a total catch — a teacher who loves kids. When I introduced him to Luke, they hit it off right away. Recently, Jake invited us to his parents’ house by the ocean for some chill time. It sounded perfect, so off we went.
Jake’s parents’ house was a beautiful, old-fashioned beachside cottage, the kind that immediately puts you at ease. As we pulled into the driveway, the scent of saltwater and the sound of seagulls greeted us. Jake’s parents, warm and welcoming, ushered us inside with wide smiles.