Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
I cup her soft cheek with my palm. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy or that it’ll be perfect. No, I’ve never been around kids other than helping them play baseball or when my niece is making me play dolls with her. But I want you, Harper, and everyone who comes with you. You’ve got to stop feeling bad about the past. We were young. Shit happened. You can’t change it, and you wouldn’t, because like you said, it led you to having those two amazing kids. We might’ve lost the last twelve years, but if we start right now, we can still have a good sixty together.”
She releases a sob. “Oh, Landon.” She throws her arms around my neck and burrows her face into my shoulder. “I want that. You don’t know how bad I want that.”
I exhale a deep sigh of relief. “Then we can have it.”
Twenty-One
Harper
“I’ll take an iced Caramel Macchiato, please,” I tell the barista before turning to Bridget. “What would you like?”
“Oh, I’ll get it.” She waves me off.
“Nope, it’s my treat,” I insist. “You are kind of the reason Landon and I are getting our second chance. The least I can do is buy you a drink.”
“Chocolate milk, please!” Eleanor begs.
“Yes! Chocolate milk,” Elizabeth agrees.
“Two chocolate milks,” I say to the barista. “And what would you like?” I ask Bridget again.
“I’ll have an iced Caramel Macchiato as well,” she says, “but can you make mine half-decaf, please?”
The barista nods and adds her drink. I scan my card and pay and then we find a seat. The twins run over to the kiddie area the coffee shop has so they can color a picture.
“So, half-decaf, huh?” I smirk.
“What?” She laughs.
“How far along are you?” I’ve known Bridget long enough to know there’s no way she would drink decaf unless there’s a reason.
“Six weeks.” She beams. “I have a doctor’s appointment in two weeks.”
“Congratulations!” I reach over and give my friend a hug.
“Thank you.”
The barista calls my name and I grab our drinks, bringing the girls over their milks before sitting back down with Bridget. “So, is Simon ecstatic?”
“Of course! He was counting down the days until I would give him the go ahead to knock me up again.” She giggles. “I was only off the pill for a couple weeks and it happened. Now he’s swearing he has super sperm.” She rolls her eyes.
“That reminds me I need to make my appointment.” I pull up my calendar to set a reminder to call my gynecologist’s office.
“Especially since you’re finally getting laid again.” Bridget waggles her eyebrows. “Your text was too vague. I need more details.” She leans forward, her eyes going wide in mock seriousness. “Are you two a couple now?”
“We’re taking it one day at a time.” I take a sip of my much needed caffeinated drink. Landon and I were up until way too late talking and making love, and then Bridget was calling at six in the morning begging me to join her for some yoga.
“Are you going to tell the kids?” she asks. “You know Hunter will be excited. He thinks Landon walks on water.”
“We’re going to hang out with them today after camp. Landon’s offered to show me how to play baseball so I can try to connect more with Hunter since Richard’s too busy to help him. I want him to know at least one of his parents cares.”
“You’re going to play baseball?” Bridget cracks up. “Oh, I have to be there to see this for myself.”
“No way! Not happening.” I huff in annoyance.
“Oh, yes, it’s definitely happening. I can’t believe Landon is going to let you swing a bat and throw a ball.” She snorts out a laugh.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Harper, you are without a doubt the most clumsy person I know.” When I open my mouth to defend myself, she raises her hand. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing… but you and baseball…” She shakes her head as she pulls out her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Texting Simon to tell him to meet us at the field.”
“Bridget!” I try to grab her phone, but she pulls it back.
“This is going to be fun.” She laughs. “And I’ll get to see you and Landon together!” She squeals, clapping her hands while I bury my face in my hands and groan, wondering what the heck I was thinking asking Landon to help me and then telling Bridget. She’s right. There’s no way this is going to go over well.
After our yoga class, Bridget heads home to give the girls a nap and I go home so I can shower and change. I spend a couple hours working on some lesson plans. I still have several more weeks until school starts, but I don’t want to wait until the last minute.