Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“This guy…” Amanda’s voice trails off.
“He’s a good man. I met him at Riggins. It’s just dinner and drinks, not a marriage proposal.”
Amanda laughs. “I’m a single mom by choice. I’m not exactly expecting any marriage offers to come rolling in.”
“Any man would be lucky to have you. Both of you,” I tell her, my heart aching for all that she’s been through.
“Coach is right,” Reid says, then points his index finger at me. “Don’t let that go to your head. I normally wouldn’t say that outside of the game.” He smirks.
“Of course, I’m right. I’m older and wiser.”
“I mean, you’re not that much older.” Bellamy grins. “You and Mom started pretty early.”
“We did, and we got the best thing to happen to both of us as a result.”
“Way to get me all up in my feels, old man,” Reid grumbles, pulling Bellamy into his arms and pressing his lips to her temple.
“They’re right. One day, the right man will come along and sweep you off your feet. When he does, I’ll be right beside you, just like you’ve always been for me. Oh, and babysitting… We’re on for babysitting whenever you need,” Bellamy tells Amanda.
“Sure are. That will give us practice when baby number two comes along.”
My breath stalls in my lungs. “Bella?”
She grins. “No, we’re not pregnant.”
“Not for lack of trying,” Reid mutters.
“Okay, we’re leaving.” Bellamy laughs. It’s carefree and matches the smile that’s lighting up her face as she peers up at her husband. I swear, I can see cartoon love hearts between the two of them.
“Go. Enjoy your night. I got these cuties.”
“Thanks for keeping her,” Reid says, kissing Coral’s cheek. Bellamy does the same, stepping back so Amanda can get to Mia.
“Thank you for this. I truly appreciate it. If you need me to come back to get her, or if it’s too much… call me.”
“It won’t be too much. Go, have fun. She’s safe, and I promise she’ll be sufficiently spoiled by the time you get back to pick her up.”
“I won’t be out late,” she assures me.
“Coral is spending the night. Mia is welcome to do the same. Just see how the night goes,” I tell her.
“I’ll be back to get her,” Amanda assures me with conviction in her tone.
I nod, and with one last kiss to her daughter’s cheek, and then to Coral’s, she links arms with Bellamy, and they’re out the door.
“Ladies, what’s the first thing on the agenda?” I ask my companions for the night.
“Ball!” Coral says, and I grin. With me as her grandpa, and her daddy the best damn tight end in the league, this little one has no choice but to love football.
“We can do that,” I tell my granddaughter. “Why don’t you go grab your ball from the basket?” I bend to place her on her feet, and she runs as fast as those little legs of hers will carry her to the basket in the corner of the living room filled with her toys. It sits right next to her play kitchen set that I bought her. She loves the one at her place so much, I bought the same one so she could play with it when she’s here.
“What about you, Mia? You want to play with the ball, too?” I sit on the couch and settle her on my thigh. She grins up at me, grunts, and the most horrid smell comes from her little body. “Really?” I ask her. “That’s how we’re going to start the night?” I smile, kiss her cheek, and stand to grab the diaper bag. I make quick work of changing her diaper and spend the next thirty minutes playing ball with them. Which means, I roll it, and Coral chases after it, with Mia clapping from her place on my lap. She never tries to move. She’s just content to sit and watch.
“All right, ladies, it’s time to make some dinner.” The words are barely out of my mouth before my phone is ringing. I see Amanda’s name and smile. “Mia, it’s your mommy.”
“Hello?”
“I forgot to tell you that she eats anything.”
“I was just going to make them both some grilled cheese and SpaghettiOs.”
“She’ll love that. Just small pieces.”
I smile. “Yes, ma’am.” I don’t bother reminding her that this isn’t my first time feeding an infant. Sure, it’s been years since Bellamy was this small, but I’ve been hands-on with Coral since the day she was born. I’m confident I can handle this.
“Thank you, Will,” she says softly.
“Call as much as you’d like, but Amanda, try to enjoy yourself. I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
“I know you will. You’re great with Coral and the other kids. I’m just nervous. This is a first for me, outside of leaving her when I go to work, which is something I have to do, being a single mom.”