Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“And I love that you love me enough to want to do that but respect me enough not to.”
“Mommy! Is it time to go yet?” Evie yells through the door.
“Yep, one minute,” I tell her. Then to the guys, I say, “Thank you for being patient with me.”
“Always,” Brody says back. “We’ll see you soon.”
“Mom! Look at the bounce house!” Miles gasps.
“And there’s a princess!” Evie squeals.
“That has to be an obstacle course,” Miles adds in awe. “And there’s water coming out of it!”
I stare at the setup in front of us in confusion. Ponies, bounce houses, face painting, a clown walking around with balloon animals. The pavilion looks like Minecraft and American Girl threw up all over it. This doesn’t make any sense because I didn’t order any of this.
“Did you do this?” I ask my in-laws, who shake their heads.
“Did they double book the pavilion?”
Which would make sense, except what are the odds both parties have the same double themes?
And then I see them sauntering toward us wearing nervous smiles, and I know who did this. And while I should probably be pissed that they did it behind my back, the excitement on my kids’ faces prevents me from saying anything other than, “Thank you,” when I hug Hayden and then Brody.
“Is it our party?” Miles asks with hope-filled eyes.
“Who else’s party would it be?” Brody asks with a laugh, ruffling his hair. “Are those your friends playing?”
Miles nods.
“Then it must be your party.”
Miles goes to run toward his friends but stops and turns around and flies at me, nearly knocking me over. “You’re the best mom in the whole world,” he says, then runs off.
Evie gives me a hug after him, telling me she loves me more than double chocolate chunk brownies, and then takes off after her friends, and I’m left completely choked up with emotions.
“I can’t believe you did all of this. How did you manage to pull it all off that fast?”
“I’d like for you to meet my aunt Amalia,” Brody says, pulling an older woman into his side. “She specializes in this stuff.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, giving her a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you. This is all amazing.”
“You’re very welcome,” she says warmly. “This was easy compared to some of the events I’ve put together over the years. I need to get going, but everything is handled.” She gives Brody a hug. “Let’s do brunch soon.”
“Thank you,” I tell the guys again. “This means so much to the kids and me.” Tears fill my lids as I watch Miles and Evie running around and laughing with their friends. This is a party they’ll remember and talk about for a long time.
“We got you,” Brody says, kissing my cheek. “Always.”
“Damn right, we do,” Hayden says. “Now, how about we go check out that obstacle course?” He leans in and whispers, “I’m dying to get you wet.”
Before I can retort, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder like I’m a sack of potatoes and stalks toward the bounce house.
“Hayden!” I screech. “Put me down! I can’t get wet. I need to grill the food.”
“The only thing you’re doing is having a good time,” Hayden says. “And we brought you a change of clothes.”
“Can I go in the water?” Miles asks, running up next to us.
“Yep,” Hayden says. “We brought you and your sister a change of clothes too.”
Miles yells in excitement and runs straight for the obstacle course.
“Miles, help me!” I shout.
Hayden gets to the big inflatable thing, and that’s when I see it… a huge pool of water. “Hayd—”
Before I can finish yelling his name, Hayden drops into the water, taking me with him. “I can’t believe you!” I hiss. “You are so dead!”
Reaching into the water, I cup my hands and then push a shit ton of water at Hayden, soaking his entire face. He tries to bat away the waves of water as I continue to do it over and over again.
“That’s what you get!” I say through a laugh.
“Oh, yeah?” he splutters. “It’s on!”
He grabs me by my hips and drops me into the water, and then proceeds to tickle me. I scream and shout, flailing my arms and legs, laughing so hard, I’m almost positive I’m going to pee myself. I’m drenched, my hair is a mess, and I’m sure the little bit of makeup I put on is running, but I don’t give a shit.
“C’mon, Miles,” Hayden yells over at my son, who I see is standing near us, observing. “Come tickle your mom.”
“Miles, don’t you dare!” I shout playfully through my laughter.
“Miles, I’m holding her down,” Hayden says, grabbing my hands and forcing them over my head. “Now’s your chance.”
Miles glances back and forth between us, and I hold my breath, waiting to see what he’ll do. He was emotional this morning about missing his dad, and my dating is new for him. I know he’s watching to see if these guys are worthy of being with me.