Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Sorry?” Mrs. Adler says to me, and when I look at Evan, he flashes me a grin.
“No apologies needed. I love family stuff. I didn’t have that growing up,” I admit, and she gives me such a pitiful look. “Really, it’s okay. My sister Aviva is absolutely the best.”
“That’s how I know you!” Shelli says then. “Aviva is married to Nico Merryweather.”
I feel Evan’s gaze on me. “Yeah, he’s about to adopt me.”
“That’s awesome. He’s a good dude. And y’all did my campaign for breast cancer awareness.”
Evan glances over at me. “You did?”
“I did, with Aviva. She was pregnant,” I say, and everyone is looking at me curiously. “I didn’t have breast cancer. My sister and mom did, though. I am a carrier for the gene, so I had the surgery to prevent the chance of getting it myself.”
Mrs. Adler’s eyes are so damn concerned and sweet. “Oh, you strong girl.”
I smile proudly as Evan nods. “She is. I’ve never seen someone fall over and over again and get right back up. She’s also really good with kids with autism. She works at the center on campus.” Everyone looks back at me, and I feel a little shy. “Plus, she’s super hot and smart. She’s carrying a 3.8 while working and training every day.” I meet his gaze, and he smiles widely at me. “I think she’s pretty damn incredible.”
Then out of nowhere, he leans in, kissing my jaw. I beam, and as I look around, I notice everyone is watching us, such love in their expressions. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Adler has tears in her eyes, and Mr. Adler nods, his eyes so blue and entrancing as he says, “Seems like Evan picked a winner.”
“About time,” Shelli adds.
“For real. I thought he’d live with Mom forever,” Posey throws out.
“Or become a dog dad, with all kinds of dogs,” Quinn says.
I snicker as Evan glares at them. But when my eyes land on Mrs. Adler, she isn’t concerned with her teasing children. She just looks happy as she gazes at Evan, so pleased, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
The teasing is nonstop, and I love it. It’s so funny. Even through cleaning the kitchen, the siblings are all still picking at one another.
“It’s way worse when Owen is home,” Mr. Adler tells me. “They are ruthless when he’s here.”
“It’s a lot,” Mrs. Adler says, leaning against the counter. “I would apologize again, but this is how it is here.”
“There’s no need. I find it entertaining.”
“The first hour is funny, but hour nine hundred is annoying,” Mr. Adler says, and I laugh.
Mrs. Adler leans into him and asks me, “Are you eager to go home?”
“I am. I miss my family.”
“You said Nico was adopting you?” Mr. Adler asks, and I grin.
“He is. I’m very excited about it. He’s a great guy.”
Mr. Adler thinks for a second and then asks, “Aren’t you a legal adult?”
I smile. “I am. But I don’t have parents or a true family. It’s only been my sister and me. Plus, Nico is wonderful.”
They both share a smile before Mr. Adler asks, “Wait, didn’t he and Shelli date?”
Mrs. Adler gives him a wild look, and I laugh. “Really?”
“I think so,” she says softly. “But you didn’t hear that from us.”
Well, that’s interesting. Before I can take out my phone to text Aviva, Mr. Adler says, “I have to say, Evan seems a lot different.”
I follow their gaze to where Evan is sitting with the babies, kissing and loving on them. Mrs. Adler nods, her mouth turning up in a wide grin that reminds me of Evan’s smile. “A lot better.”
“So much better.” They both look at me. “I mean, from when I first met him. I think he smiles more.”
On cue, he looks up at us and smiles.
Mr. Adler nods. “You know what they say. Sometimes all you need is love.”
“Yeah, to be saved by love,” Mrs. Adler says softly, and I’m sure I am reading into their words, but nonetheless, I agree. I know that’s how I got through a lot of my trauma, with Aviva’s love. Then it took Nico’s love to heal my sister. I want to think I am one of the many reasons Evan is doing so well, but there is no reason to get ahead of myself. I mean, I know how I feel, not that I’ve said anything. But it’s serious, and I know it’s special.
I leave his parents and sit on the couch as he holds Fitz in his lap, rubbing his little head and somehow still playing with Zac. Zac sits beside him with his plush hockey stick, and Evan shows him how to hold it. Zac laughs happily as Evan makes funny faces and noises at him.
“You’re really good with kids.”
He shrugs. “The Assassins unit is huge, and there is always a baby or a kid somewhere at all the events. I enjoy playing with them and being around them. Owen is really good with kids too, probably ’cause he’s still a kid.”