Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
How am I supposed to think with him this close to me? Touching me? I take a deep breath and gather my thoughts. “I’m thinking you don’t want to spend the rest of your Saturday night watching my daughters.”
“You’d think wrong. I’d love for them to come and help me with Lilly. You and your girls are welcome at my place anytime, Briar.”
“How old are you?” I blurt.
“I’m thirty-two.”
“I’m a twenty-two-year-old single mom.” He’s ten years older than me. Surely, he wants his own family, not a ready-made one. I can hear Brogan’s voice in my head telling me I have to stop looking for and thinking the worst of everyone because of my past. I need to keep looking forward.
“You’re a twenty-two-year-old beautiful, single mom with two adorable daughters who I happen to adore as much as I do their mother.”
“Sweet words.”
“I promise you they will be safe with me, Briar. I’d never let anything happen to them.” His gaze is penetrating as he wills me to believe him.
“Trust is hard for me.”
“I know. Baby steps. I’ll be right next door. You can come and check on them or text me anytime you want. Let me take them with Lilly, and you ladies can have some adult time. Ask them about me. Sure, it’s my sister and her best friend, but they won’t bullshit you.”
“I would never do that to you.”
“I know, which is why I’m telling you to.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“For what? Me watching the girls?”
“You, Forrest. I don’t know if I’m ready for you. For this… invisible string that seems to keep me tethered to you even when you’re not around. I just don’t know.”
“I’m not rushing you. You know where I stand. Regardless, I made a promise that I would always be there for the girls, and this will give you a small breather. Every parent needs a break now and then.”
I process his words. I’m being unreasonable, but I don’t know how to get past it. I want more than anything to not fear every man’s intentions, but I’m scarred. Damaged goods, if you will.
“Come here.” He stands back to his full height and tugs me into his arms, and I go willingly. He embraces me so tightly, it’s hard to understand why I’m pushing back with him. “You can trust me, Briar. I’ll prove it to you.”
“Okay.” The words slip from my lips, and I know I need to take this step. I want this with him. I want to be free to have relationships, and being in his arms, it feels right. I’ve never been hugged like this by anyone other than Brogan and our dad, and Forrest. He gives the best hugs.
“Yeah?” He releases his hold on me, but not completely, as he keeps an arm around my waist.
“Yes. Don’t complain when I send you a million texts.”
“No complaints here.” He bends his head and kisses my lips softly. “Thank you. Come on. Let’s go tell the girls.” He reaches for my hand, but I pull away.
“One day you’ll let me show the world you’re my choice,” he whispers before walking ahead of me into the living room. “Razzle, Dazzle, Lilly, it’s time to party.”
The twins cheer.
By the time I join them, he already has Lilly back in his arms, who is content to rest her head against his shoulder. The girls are holding hands, with River’s hand in his. “Come, give me a hug,” I tell the twins. They look reluctant to let go of Forrest—worried that I might change my mind.
“Go tell your mom goodbye before we go,” he urges them. They walk toward me, and I crouch down and open my arms for them.
“Love you. Please be good for Forrest.”
“We’ll be so good,” Rayne tells me.
“And help with Lilly,” River adds.
“Okay. I’ll be over to get you in a little while.” With a hug and a kiss from each, they race back to Forrest's side, taking the same formation, holding hands, and River’s hand in his.
“Take care of my babies,” I tell him.
“Always, Momma.” He winks and leads the girls out of the house with Lilly on his hip.
I watch them leave before turning back to the room. I find four pairs of eyes watching me intently.
“Damn.” Maggie waves her hand in front of her face. “Was it just me or were there some major sparks flying?”
“He’s like my brother, but even I’m a little turned on with how he called you momma with the wink,” Monroe says.
“You’ve been holding out on me,” Brogan says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“My brother wants you,” Emerson adds.
“He’s just being nice.”
“Is that why your face is all flushed?” Maggie teases.
My answer is to cover my face with my hands. “I don’t know,” I confess.
“He’s a good guy,” Monroe offers. “They all are. They’re sexy, tattooed teddy bears.”