Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“I panicked. I shut down. I acted like a complete asshole. I wanted to turn around and come to your place and explain, but I…” He shook his head. “I was an idiot.”
“Yes, you were.” Then I pressed my hand into his cheek, feeling the roughness of his whiskers on my skin. “But I understand.”
He smiled. “Of course you do. You understand so much more than I gave you credit for.”
“We have to talk though. I can’t do that again. It hurt, Simon.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you and I hate that I did. I wasn’t sure you’d even speak to me again after the way I shut down.”
“If it happens again, I’m done.”
“It won’t.” He drew in a deep breath. “Once Mia goes to bed, we’ll talk, and I’ll tell you everything. You can decide if you forgive me, and we’ll figure it out.”
The words were out before I could stop them. “I do forgive you.”
He covered my hand with his. “Amy,” he breathed out.
“But we have to talk,” I repeated. “I can’t put myself out there and have you reject me again.”
He bent his head, pressing his mouth to mine. It was soft, gentle, and sweet. “I won’t,” he promised. “We’ll talk until I know you’re certain.” He kissed me again, this time his lips lingering.
Until a voice from the porch broke us apart. “Daddy! You kiss at the end of the date! I told you that!”
“Oops,” I mumbled against his mouth.
“Oops, indeed. Caught kissing my woman by my daughter in broad daylight before the date has even started.”
I stepped back. “For shame, sir.”
He grinned. “I’d call it worth it.” He linked our hands. “Come inside. Prepare to be Mia-fied.”
I allowed him to lead me. I liked how my hand felt held tight in his.
As if it belonged there.
The house smelled incredible. The table was set, and Mia was excited. She tugged my hand, and I followed her around as she showed me the house. Simon strolled behind us, making the occasional comment.
“This is Daddy’s office. He plays on the computer all day.”
“Yep,” he said with a dry laugh. “Me and FreeCell all day.”
“You should try Toon Blast or something. Branch out,” I teased.
“Good advice.”
I saw the family room, the guest rooms, had a long tour of Mia’s room, including her beloved bookshelves and toys. It was a girly room with lots of pink and lace. Stuffed animals were stacked in the corners. A small table was set up by the window. It held a large cup of coloring pencils and a stack of paper. Pretty curtains fluttered in the breeze.
“Holly helped with the room,” Simon muttered.
“It’s perfect.”
The tour ended as we passed the door at the end of the hall. Simon’s room. Mia waved her hand. “Daddy sleeps there.” She skipped ahead. “It’s boring.”
Simon leaned close, his breath hot on my neck. “Not all the time. Not when you’re in there with me.”
I had to swallow at the sudden dryness in my throat. He chuckled.
I followed Mia back to the kitchen. I slipped onto one of the barstools and accepted the glass of wine Simon slid my way. He removed the bubbling lasagna from the oven and put the garlic bread in to heat. Mia sat beside me, chatting. She talked about her cousins and Holly, excited about the fact that I knew them. She talked about her uncle E, her affection for him evident.
“He sent me presents every year since I was born. I only met him a few months ago, but I love him.”
“Evan is a special man,” I agreed.
She nodded. “His sister is my mom, but she doesn’t like us. I don’t know her, and that’s okay. Daddy explained she doesn’t like anyone very much—even herself, which is sad. I like me. Daddy likes me. We have our own family. Do you have a family, Ms. McNeil?”
Her words make my chest ache. She stated them so matter-of-factly. But I smiled at her.
“I think outside school, you can call me Amy, okay?”
She nodded.
“My parents live in Halifax, where I grew up.”
“Do you have sisters or brothers?”
“One brother. He’s older than I am.”
“Does he have kids?”
“No. He travels a lot.”
“I want a brother or a sister. Maybe both. But Daddy says we have to wait.”
I met Simon’s eyes across the room where he was leaning against the counter watching us.
“Wait?” I replied.
She nodded. “We have to have a mommy to have babies. Do you want babies, Amy?”
Simon cleared his throat. “Mia, that’s personal.”
“I’m just asking, Daddy.”
“I would like children, yes,” I replied.
“Do you like little girls?” she asked.
I realized she was interviewing me in her own way. Her eyes reminded me of Simon’s. Anxious, waiting for my reply.
“I love little girls,” I assured her.
“Daddy says I’m smart and well-behaved.”
“Most of the time,” Simon interjected.