Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Ashton’s eyes shifted to Haiden, but for him he stood up, fully aware that Haiden wouldn’t want to be treated like anything less than the man he felt he already was.
Sticking out his hand, Ashton introduced himself. “I’m Ashton, and you must be Haiden, the man of the house, right?”
“Yeah.” He shook his hand. “That’s me. We talked on the phone, remember?”
Ashton nodded, picking up on the animosity in Haiden’s tone. “Right. At the time I thought you were someone else, so I apologize for that. I hope we can put it behind us and start fresh. I’d really like to get to know you.”
Haiden simply gave him a curt nod, and Ashton and I locked eyes before he opened the door wider.
“Come on in. If you’re hungry, I have finger foods for you on the kitchen island. There are also all sorts of drinks in the fridge. Blue Gatorade, right, man? It’s my favorite too.”
Haiden wasn’t impressed by Ashton’s hospitality. However, Haven and I were.
“I’m thirsty,” she informed, still holding my hand as we walked into Ashton’s kitchen designed for a five-star chef.
Speaking from someone who loved to cook, his kitchen was goals. I'd cooked him dinner a few times, and I cherished every second of it. He’d thought of everything when it came to designing his entire house. From the crown molding to the travertine floors. His place resembled a model home.
Haiden made his way directly toward the pool. He and Haven knew how to swim; with the lake behind our house I’d made sure of it.
“One Tropicana orange juice coming right up.”
“Ashton, you know my favorite drink?”
“I know a lot of things about you, baby girl.”
“You do? How?”
“I asked your mom to tell me all about you.”
She let go of my hand and sat on the kitchen island stool, sitting her butt on her legs to reach the high counter.
“I asked my mama about you too. She said that you love kids.”
“I do. I have two nieces about your age.” He handed Haven her drink, and she drank the whole thing before she wiped her face with the back of her arm.
“Oh really? Maybe next time we come here, I can play with them. Mama says she wants us to be here a lot. Do you have a room for us to sleep in?”
“Haven...” I murmured, glancing at Ashton warily, who was standing there like she'd just told him he'd won the lottery.
He was loving the fact that Haven was thinking about having a sleepover at his house; it meant she liked him.
“Haiden has bunk beds in his room. Maybe you can sleep on the top bunk when you sleep over at our house too?”
“I’d love to sleep on Haiden’s top bunk.”
“It’s super comfortable.” She traced the granite lines on the counter. “This is really pretty. What’s it called?”
“Quartz.”
“Oh! Like Mommy has in her bathroom. Look, Mama, it’s just a different color than yours.”
“It is.” I looked for Haiden through the screen doors. “Where did your brother go? He was just out by the pool.”
“Maybe he had to take a poop.”
Ashton instantly laughed, and I turned thirty shades of red.
“Haiden likes to poop in my bathroom, and I get mad because his butt stinks really bad.”
Ashton laughed so hard his head fell back.
“Oh my God. Haven!”
“What, Mama? You don’t like it when he uses your bathroom either. Haiden says he takes man poops like Grampy and Uncle Brady. Do you take man poops too, Ashton?”
I shut my eyes for a moment, shaking my head before mouthing, “I’m so sorry,” to him.
And what did my dream guy reply?
He mouthed back, “Don’t be, she’s adorable.”
Chapter 22
—Ashton—
This fucking kid.
“Honey, let’s not ask Ashton about his man poops, okay?”
“But, Mama.” She scratched her head, watching as Sage went toward the slider. “You said everyone poops.”
“Yes, but we don’t need confirmation.” She opened it. “Haiden!”
“I’ll tell you what?” I announced, bringing both their attention over to me. “Why don’t you girls go change into your bathing suits, and I’ll go find Haiden?”
“Yeah!” Haven excitedly shouted, grabbing her mom’s hand. “Let’s go!”
“Okay, let’s grab our stuff.” Sage gazed around the kitchen. “Where did your backpack go?”
“Umm… I put my bathing suit in your bag.”
“Why did you do that?”
Haven shrugged, dragging Sage out toward the pool.
“I’ll find him and be right behind you.”
They both nodded, smiling at me. I could tell Sage was nervous about leaving me alone with Haiden, but how bad could this kid be?
He was seven.
“Haiden!” I hollered, peering down the hall.
No answer.
I searched all the rooms of my house until I finally found him in my bedroom, as if he was waiting for me.
“What are you—”
“Let’s cut the nice guy act, alright?”
I expected him not to like me. What I didn’t count on was for him to come at me right from the beginning.