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)
I avert my gaze to the vegetable tray I’m organizing. It’s finished. I’m just pretending that it needs some final touches. I’m sure my face is giving me away, so I keep my head down and act busy. These vegetables need my undivided attention.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” he tells her.
I look up in time to see him kiss her temple, and the entire time, his eyes are on me. I wave awkwardly, then avert my gaze once more while Bellamy’s not looking.
“You don’t mind, do you, Manda? And look, he brought a gift.” Bellamy chuckles.
Time to face him and do the best damn acting I’ve ever done in my life. Slowly, I lift my head and meet his gaze. “I don’t mind at all. The more the merrier, and thank you. You didn’t have to bring a gift.”
“Mia’s my little buddy,” he says. “Speaking of, where is the birthday girl?”
“Foster stole her. He and Knox have her and Alexander in the pool.”
Will nods. “I’ll go say hi. Where should I put this?” he asks me.
“Oh, we have a gift table in the living room,” Bellamy tells him as Coral races up to the patio door and slams her hands against it.
“Mommy, I pooped!” she says loudly, making us laugh.
“Well, that’s a win for potty training, and I could kiss the inventor of swim diapers. Although it doesn’t look like she’s been in the pool yet.” Bellamy moves to the door, slides it open, and scoops her daughter up into her arms. “Great job, sweetheart. Let’s get you changed.” She smiles at her dad and me before carrying Coral upstairs.
Will, with his pink princess gift bag in hand, moves to stand beside me. He bends down and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Hey.” He smiles.
“We can’t,” I tell him.
He nods. “I know, but I wanted so badly to kiss you as soon as I walked in. You look beautiful, Momma.”
His words have my knees turning to jelly. “Thank you. I didn’t know you were coming. I thought we were getting together after.”
“Well, Bellamy invited me, so here I am. Is that okay?”
I stop messing with the baby carrots, which don’t need my attention in the first place, and peer up at him. “Of course, it’s okay. I wanted you here, and I know Mia will be happy to see you.”
“I know, and I wanted to be here, but it’s better that the invitation came from Bellamy. Unless you’re ready?” He doesn’t elaborate, and he doesn’t need to. We both know that he’s asking me if I’m ready to tell everyone we’re together.
I can hear the hope in his voice.
“Not yet.”
His shoulders fall, just slightly, and I hate myself for it, but I can’t get past this fear. I want him, but I can’t lose my best friend. I don’t see a world where I can have both, and I’m having a hard time coming to terms with that.
He nods. “Okay, baby.” He bends and kisses me once more, which is so damn risky. Then he turns and walks away. When I see him again, he’s got his sunglasses pulled down over his eyes, and he’s no longer holding his gift. “Can I do anything to help?”
“I think we’re all set. Thank you for offering.”
He nods and steps outside.
Five minutes later, Bellamy comes back downstairs with Coral in her arms. “Reid texted me that the food’s ready. I say we eat inside to let everyone get cooled off.”
“Are you sure? I’ll help clean every inch of the house,” I promise her.
She waves me off. “I’m sure. Besides, Eden needs to be out of this hot sun as much as the kids do. I’ll go round them up.”
“Coral, come to Aunt Manda.” I hold my arms out for her, and she comes willingly. I plop her on my lap as she reaches for a carrot, and I help her by handing her one.
Everyone starts filing into the room to eat, and when I look up, Will is carrying Mia. My heart stutters because he’s so good to her, and my daughter loves him. He comes to stand next to me, and Coral leans over and reaches for him. With what looks like practiced ease, he takes Coral and places her on his other hip.
“Come here, birthday girl.” I reach for Mia, but she turns her head, and Will laughs.
“She’s fine, Momma. Do what you need to do. We’re going to go settle in for some food.” He smiles at me. In that smile, there is so much unspoken.
Let me help you.
I’ve got her.
I want to do this for both of you.
I don’t argue with him because I don’t want to draw more attention to the fact that, yet again, this man is taking care of my daughter. Mia just knows that Will is safe, and she gravitates to him and the affection he gives her. I’m worried she’s getting too close, and when the truth comes out, if we lose him, if we lose all these people who are in our lives, my little girl’s heart will be broken.