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)
“None of us is perfect,” I replied. Then I looked down at Mia. “I agree with your daddy. You are smart. And I like you, Mia.”
She beamed. “I like you too.” She jumped off her stool. “I’m going to wash my hands for supper.”
She rushed off, and Simon leaned on the counter. “I think you passed,” he said dryly. “Sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. She can ask me things. It’s fine.”
“You’re good with her.”
“I like kids. I love talking to them and hearing their thoughts. Their process fascinates me.”
He leaned closer. “You fascinate me.”
I picked up my wine. “Stop it.”
“I mean it.”
Mia reappeared, skidding to a halt. “Daddy, why are you so close to Amy? Are you trying to kiss her again?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied. “She was talking really quietly, so I had to lean close to listen.”
“Hmmph.”
The timer rang on the oven, and Simon winked. “Saved by the bell. Dinner is ready, my ladies. Go sit down, and I’ll bring it in.”
I curled up on the sofa, waiting for Simon. Dinner had been delicious. Simon made a great lasagna, and I made sure to admire the layers Mia helped with. The garlic bread was soft and the cake a huge success. It felt oddly intimate sitting in the dining room with them, listening to their conversations and laughter, joining in when I could. It felt like being part of a family. After dinner, I helped clean up, and then Simon ran a bath for Mia and she asked if I would read to her. I picked a book and sat at the little table with the book open on it. Simon sat beside her on the bed, and she laid her head on his lap as she listened, falling asleep surprisingly fast. Before climbing into bed, she had stopped by the table.
“Thank you for the cake, Amy. And for coming. Will you come again?”
“I would like that.”
She flung her arms around my neck, and I hugged her hard. She was warm and sweet-smelling from her bath. She snuggled into my embrace, and I held her close, feeling strangely emotional as I did. I wanted to tuck her in. Stroke her hair. Sing to her. I had the feeling she wanted that as well.
But she drew back and kissed my cheek. “I like you,” she whispered. “Daddy does too. Please come back.”
Then she headed to her dad, leaving me feeling warm and wanted.
I’d slipped from the room as Simon tucked her in and waited for him downstairs. When he appeared, he sat beside me, taking my hand.
“Thanks. She liked that.”
“Not a problem. I enjoyed it.”
He sighed. “I’m a package deal, Amy.”
“I know that. I knew it the day I met you.”
“My ex did a number on me. She shook my confidence. All I was to her was a cash cow. All Mia was to her was a way to keep getting money.”
“You’re way more than that.”
He turned to me. “You made me feel that way. You made me feel as if you saw me.”
“I do see you. I don’t like you because you have money, Simon. I’m not built that way.”
“I know.”
“What happened the other morning?”
He took my hand. “I swore I would never get myself in the position of letting my heart get broken again. I swore I would take it slow. But with you, there is no slow, Amy. It scared me. One dinner, one night with you, and I was seeing forever. Seeing you in my kitchen, in my bedroom, except it was our kitchen, our bedroom, our home. I hadn’t even introduced you to Mia. Seen how the two of you interacted. She has to come first, and I was falling for you without even thinking of her. It shocked me.”
“And you pulled back.”
“Like an idiot, yes. Trust me, Holly reamed me well. So did Evan. I retreated when I should have advanced. I should have told you how I was feeling.”
“My last boyfriend shut me out. Then walked away after he told me I was too out there for him. He was tired of my bohemian ways and the fact that I was different from other women. He was embarrassed to be seen with me. It hurt.”
He shook his head, pulling my hand to his chest. “That’s what draws me to you, Amy. I like your openness, your honesty, and your way of looking at things. My ex-wife was cold. Removed. She walked away from Mia without a glance. Divorced me without a thought. I like how you see me. How you act with my daughter. I want to explore this with you. I want you to try with me.” He paused. “If you can forgive my actions and want to.”
“You won’t pull away again?”
“No. I was an idiot. But I’m a fast learner, and it won’t happen again. Frankly, the thought of you not in my life is unacceptable. You make me feel—” He stopped, then shrugged and smiled. “As corny as it sounds, I feel complete.”