Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
I chuckle. “Give me a second.” I grab some milk and sugar and pour it into the cup then hand it to her. “I don’t have any flavors but try this.”
She brings the cup to her lips and inhales deeply. “It smells so good,” she sighs and then takes a sip. “And it tastes even better.” She sets the cup down. “Thank you. I haven’t had coffee in months.”
“I don’t think I could go days without coffee, let alone months,” I admit, then immediately mentally chastise myself when I think about why she’s gone months without it—she can’t afford it.
“Don’t do that,” she says. When I raise a questioning brow, she adds, “Don’t watch what you say. I don’t need or want your pity.”
I nod in understanding.
After making myself a cup of coffee, I sit down next to her, and for several minutes, we sit and drink in silence, both of us relishing in the quiet moment before our daughters wake up and our day officially starts. It’s weird, not sitting here alone, but it’s also kind of nice.
When Kira finishes her drink, she takes both of our cups to the sink. While she’s washing them, the baby monitor I keep on hand goes off, indicating there’s movement, followed by my daughter’s babbling, letting me know she’s awake.
A second later, tiny feet padding down the stairs hits our ears, followed by, “Mommy!”
Kira turns around and smiles. “Let the day begin.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Kira asks as I transfer her daughter’s booster seat to my car. “Now that I’m working for you, we should probably keep things professional.”
“Technically, you don’t start working for me until Monday,” I tell her. “And we’re going to the children’s science museum, not to a club, so I think we’re safe from either of us behaving unprofessionally. Although”—I smirk at her—“I have been known to get down with the turtles. They might look tame, but inside, they’re partying hard.”
She rolls her eyes and groans. “You’re such a nerd. I bet you were in the math club when you were in school.”
“Damn straight,” I admit proudly. “And the chess club and science club.”
“Figures,” she mutters.
“What?” I ask, driving down the driveway.
“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “I was just thinking that maybe if I stuck with nerds, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in.”
“Let me guess … you were a cheerleader and dated the quarterback.”
Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “Not my smartest decision,” she murmurs, glancing back at her daughter. “But I can’t find it in me to regret it.”
She doesn’t say she’s talking about Violet, but as one single parent to another, I can read between the lines.
I nod. “Same.”
She glances over at me, and for a moment, our eyes lock, a silent understanding passing between us. Our circumstances might be different, but one thing is the same—we’re both single parents who would do anything for our kids, and despite what led us here, we wouldn’t change it for anything.
chapter seven
KIRA
“I know you’re cheating on me! Admit it! Admit you’re a slut!” Before I see it coming, his palm connects with my cheek.
The slap to my face has me sitting up as I take in my surroundings.
My heart is thumping against my rib cage.
My forehead is damp with perspiration.
My hands are clammy.
I glance over to the spot next to me and find it empty. I’m about to scream for my daughter when I remember she’s sleeping in her own room.
She’s okay.
I’m okay.
We’re safe in Ryder’s home. At least for the time being …
As much as I wanted to share a room with Violet, when Ryder mentioned her having her own room, she got so excited that I couldn’t argue. Besides, with my stupid nightmares that keep me from sleeping all night, it’s for the best. When we slept in the SUV, I would wake her up many nights, and I could see the worry in her eyes. At least now, she’ll sleep soundly.
I glance at the phone Ryder bought me and see it’s only ten thirty. Great. Since I won’t be falling back asleep anytime soon, I climb out of bed and go pee and then head downstairs to make myself a cup of tea.
It’s been a week since we moved into Ryder’s house, and I’m honestly shocked this is the first time I’ve woken up from a nightmare. I was hoping they were gone for good, but I should’ve known that it was too good to be true.
I pad downstairs, assuming Ryder’s asleep, but stop in my tracks when I find him sitting on the couch, reading a book.
“Hey,” he says, laying the book on his lap. “Are you okay?”
From the look in his eyes, he heard me. Violet had told me that I was loud in my sleep, so I assumed I screamed during my nightmares, but it wasn’t confirmed until now.