Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
So much weighs down his expression. I didn’t expect to be celebrating, but I thought this would make him happy. He runs his hand through his hair and sighs. “I want my son to have a full-time dad, and I find myself thinking about him all the time, worrying, and wanting to be around him any spare time I have. I meant it when I said I didn’t want to fight you over custody. I won’t put either of you through that, so thank you for trusting me with his care and giving me the time we need together.”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“Maybe, but it’s also the harder thing to offer.”
Moving into the kitchen, I pull a glass from the cabinet, thinking wine might be nice to ease some of the tension I’ve been holding on to while waiting to have this conversation. “I’ve been thinking that you’ll need help on the days you’re at work or if you have something unexpected come up. If I’m unavailable, we need someone in place.”
“I don’t know how to go about that.”
“Cassandra returns in two weeks. She works full time for me. If I cut her hours in half, she’ll have to find another job.”
He comes into the kitchen. “I could hire her, then Max would have the person he’s used to and likes.”
“That’s what I was thinking. He’s close to her, and they have a great bond. Whiskey or beer?”
“Whiskey.”
I pull the glass down and add ice, how he likes it, before pouring two fingers. After filling my glass with wine, I say, “Before he comes over, you’ll need to put together a nursery and child-proof your apartment."
"I’ll take care of that, but I have a question for you.”
Taking a sip, I then set the glass on the counter and spin the stem between my fingers. “You’re keeping me in suspense. What is it?”
“What do I have to do to convince you to come over too?”
I can kiss him all night for that, but I resist knowing where kissing him leads. Instead, I reply, “Just ask.”
Noah did ask.
Once the nursery was set up a few days later, and the apartment was child-proofed, he asked us both to come for our first sleepover. And somehow, from that time, whether it be at my place or his, spending every night together was all that mattered anymore.
31
Noah
“No helicopter this time?” Liv shifts on the seat next to me in the back of the SUV, slipping across the slick leather surface toward me. “And when I say that it’s because it was an incredible experience.”
It’s only two weeks later, but this trip is very different, so I hired a driver to take us to Beacon for the family get-together, thinking it would allow time to talk if our nerves began to spiral. I’ve not traveled with Max. I’m not even sure if he’s been on a road trip or what he needs. Liv packed a bag not asking for a thing, no help, or for me to bring anything over when I texted her about what I need to do to prepare.
Maybe I’m the only one feeling anxious.
It’s not every day you tell your family you’re a father. Not going to be, but already and currently are. I love my family, but I don’t know what to expect. “No helicopter. My brothers are flying in together, and I didn’t want to introduce you and Max on the tarmac.” I glance at Max who’s been sleeping soundly in his car seat for the past hour of the trip.
“That makes sense.” She brushes the back of her fingers along my neck. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” I answer too quickly. Tugging at the collar of my T-shirt, I realize I’m starting to sweat. I reach forward and turn the air on higher. “It’s hot in here, right?”
Zipping her hoodie to her neck, she says, “I’m freezing.”
I can’t help a half-hearted grin from arriving. I need to lasso in my concerns before they get out of hand. “Sorry. I hired a driver so I could relax today, and enjoy, have some drinks if I want.” I’m close to pouring a shot now just to calm my nerves. I don’t. “But the reality of what’s about to happen is hitting.”
“It’s a big day. I get it, babe. You don’t need to explain.” Her calm voice and steady hands mean she’s holding it together better than I am.
“Sure is.”
With her eyes still on me, she says, “It’s a long drive. You didn’t want to stay overnight?”
“We don’t have a setup for Max.” I take her hand, and our fingers fold together on the seat between us. “It added another layer of planning that I didn’t want to burden you with. My mom would have been more than happy to set something up, but—”