Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
I jolt when I feel a warm hand press to my back. I turn to see Forrest standing next to me, concern written all over his handsome face. “You okay?”
I nod because I’m not sure I can form words right now. I don’t know what’s happening. Suddenly, there are people in our lives who are good to my daughters. Good to me. I’m thrilled, but at the same time, I don’t want to let my heart get used to this. I can’t. If life has taught me anything, it’s that you can’t be too trusting. There has to be an ulterior motive, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out what that might be.
“Are you crying?” His voice is deep, gravelly, and sexy, just like the man. “Come here.”
Before I know what’s happening, this big man with kind eyes covered in ink pulls me into his arms for the second time today. I can’t help but wonder if anyone has ever told him he gives great hugs.
“Tell me what’s upset you, Briar.”
I stand here in the comfort of his arms as I wrangle my emotions. Finally, I step back and peer up at him. “I’m sorry.” I wipe my cheeks. “Just an emotional mom.” I laugh it off.
“Don’t do that. Don’t hide from what you’re feeling. Whatever it is, it’s yours and it’s your right to feel it. You can talk to me.”
Exhaling a heavy breath, I try to find the words. “They’ve never had a party like this. It’s always just the four of us, and to see the smiles on their faces and to know that complete strangers put them there… it’s just a lot to process. I don’t know why you all chose to be here, but you did that. You and your friends and family made this a special day for them, and I don’t know how to thank you.” The words tumble out in a rush, and I’m not even sure they make sense.
“You don’t have to thank us, Briar. We’re here because we want to be. I know we’re a lot—” he chuckles “—but I promise you that we mean well. We have pure intentions.”
“Grown men who don’t know my girls coming to their party is… not at all what I expected.”
“You invited us. Besides, we can’t pass up a big piece of birthday cake.” He winks, and I smile. “We’re here because we wanted to be here, Briar. Nothing more. Nothing less.” His eyes are kind, and his words seem genuine.
“Thank you for making this day special for them. All of you,” I add.
Forrest shrugs. “It’s what we do. We show up for family.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue with him and tell him we’re not family, but I let the comment slide.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“For what?”
“To go back in there and celebrate those two little girls.”
He’s right. This is their day, and it’s more special than I ever could have imagined. “Yes.”
Forrest gives me a smile. Walking around the counter, he pulls open the fridge and grabs two bottles of water, handing me one. “What’s this for?”
“Our excuse for why we were gone.” With that, he twists off the top, takes a long pull, and walks back into the living room, leaving me to stare after him.
With my water bottle in hand, I plaster a smile on my face and walk back into the room.
“Mommy!” the girls cheer excitedly when they see me. “We got Jeeps.”
“Whoa!” Legend laughs. “Do they always do that?”
“Yes,” Brogan and I answer at the same time, making every adult in the room erupt with laughter. Of course, the kids join in. They have no clue as to why we’re laughing, but they don’t want to be left out.
“That’s some crazy twin vibing.” Roman nods.
“I guess we’re used to it,” I say, taking my spot on the floor next to the girls. However, as soon as Forrest is seated, they both rush to him.
“Look what we gots.” They hold up their Jeeps.
“Wow. Nice wheels.” The girls place their Jeeps on the floor, and Forrest opens and closes the doors as if checking out the features on a Barbie Jeep is what he’s been looking forward to all day.
“Girls, you have a lot more presents to open.”
They look at me, and back at Forrest.
“How about I keep your Jeeps safe with me?” he offers. They seem to think about it, then nod, and rush back to me to tear open more presents.
Roman, Emerson, and Lilly got them both lap desks that hold drawing supplies. Not only does it hold the supplies, both desks are filled to the brim with said supplies. The girls love to draw, so that will definitely be used.
“Girls, let’s keep moving. You have more to open,” I persuade them as they try to dig into the art supplies.