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)
When we arrive at Julian and Ana’s house, I take in the cozy vibe. Unlike Ryder’s massive house, this home is smaller—still big, but it’s not a mansion—with a softer feel to it.
“What are you thinking?” Ryder asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I picture you in a house like this,” I say truthfully. “Your house is beautiful, but—”
“It’s ostentatious,” he finishes for me. “Nora picked it out,” he admits. “And since I was already settled in, after she left, I stayed.”
“Mommy, can we get out?” Violet asks.
“Yep,” I tell her.
She immediately flings off her seat belt and clambers out.
“You grab Addie, and I’ll get the food,” I tell Ryder, who nods, still obviously lost in his own head.
I wish we were alone so we could talk, but since we’re not, I grab the dishes and leave my thoughts and worries in the car for later.
“My God, woman, these smell heavenly.” Ana audibly sniffs the brownies one more time and then sets them on the counter, next to the pan of lasagna. “Thank you.” She smiles warmly at me and then shocks me when she pulls me into a hug.
“You’re welcome,” I choke out, wrapping my arms around her in return, unsure why I’m suddenly so emotional.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been on my own with Violet for the past few months or because, aside from Brian demanding to get laid a few times a week, I’ve essentially been alone, craving the affection one can only get from another person.
Ana backs up slightly but remains close, her glassy eyes meeting mine.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, worried something happened.
“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “I’m just … a bit emotional. Having a baby will do that to you.” She laughs lightly. “And also … why didn’t you tell me you were living out of your car?”
More tears fill her lids, and my heart drops.
“I would’ve helped you,” she mutters. “Every day, you came into work, happy and smiling, all while living in an SUV.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her, placing my hand in hers, knowing she’s reacting this way because, as she mentioned, she gave birth recently and her hormones are all over the place.
“No, it’s not,” she argues, her tears now streaming down her cheeks. “But I’m so glad Ryder found you. Is he being good to you? If not, we have plenty of room here.”
“He’s amazing. I promise, we’re good,” I tell her honestly, my heart swelling with how sweet she is to even offer us a place to stay. “I owe you guys everything.”
Before she can tell me that I don’t, I keep speaking, needing her to know how much I appreciate everything they’ve done for my daughter and me.
“You gave me a chance when I was at my lowest, and then Ryder took us in and not only gave us a roof over our heads, but what he’s paying me …” I shake my head, overcome with emotion. “You guys have given me a sense of security that I haven’t felt in a long time. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay either of you.”
“You don’t owe anyone anything,” Ryder says, appearing out of nowhere.
“Ana.” Julian rushes in and goes straight for his wife. “What’s wrong, Red?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” She half laughs, half cries. “I’m just a little emotional.” She swipes at her eyes. “Sometimes, I just can’t help crying.”
“And apparently, it’s contagious,” I add with a laugh of my own, wiping my tears away.
“Emilia is waking up,” Julian tells her. “Why don’t you go grab her, and I’ll put the food in the fridge?”
“Okay.” She kisses the corner of his mouth. “But the brownies are coming with me.” She grabs the entire pan with one hand and then mine with the other. “Come meet Emilia,” she says with a watery smile. “But be warned. She’s so precious that you might get baby fever.”
“That is not happening,” I say through a laugh. “There’s a reason babies are so cute … to get us through the sleepless nights.”
Ryder chuckles and nods in agreement. “I feel that deep.”
“Mommy, can we go in the pool now?” Violet asks when we walk into the living room.
“In a few minutes, Vi,” I tell her while Ana goes to the bassinet and scoops up her daughter, who’s stretching her arms and legs as she attempts to wake up. “Want to see the new baby?”
“I already saw her. She’s too little to play with us.” Violet pouts, making the adults laugh.
“She is little,” I agree, taking Emilia from Ana so I can hold her.
Her eyes are closed once again, and she’s sucking on her pacifier, curled up like she’s still in the womb.
When I sit down, Violet comes over and leans against me, gently stroking the baby’s hair.
“I remember when you were this little,” I tell her, glancing over at her.