Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“That sounds like more fun than the stitches,” she says, and then Bianca comes up to her and pulls on her leg. She moves her hands and picks her up.
“What’s the matter, princess one?” I ask as Bianca straddles her lap and rubs her eyes.
“Is someone tired?” she asks her, and Bianca shakes her head. “Well, why don’t you sit with me for a while?” Julia leans down and kisses her forehead. “I missed you too much.” She wraps her arms around the little girl and pulls her to her chest, where Bianca lays her head.
“And you said you need candies,” I joke with her. “All lies.”
“Candy.” Bianca lifts her head from her chest, and Julia glares at me.
“I don’t have any candies, my love,” she says. “Uncle Chase is Pinocchio.” I can’t help but chuckle when Bianca turns back and looks at me.
“Is Pinocchio.” She points at me, and I smile at her and put my finger in front of my lips.
“Shh, it’s a secret,” I say. She smiles at me and then puts her head back on Julia’s chest.
“You look good with a baby.” The words come out of my mouth before I can even stop them, and the minute they do, I want to kick myself.
“Well, this is as close to a child as I’m going to get,” she states, and I just look at her. She’s normally stunning, but I don’t know why seeing her with a baby on her lap just makes her go to the next level.
“Why do you say that? You’d make a great mother,” I assure her, and she just shrugs.
“I’ve seen too many things in my job to even attempt it.” She rocks side to side with Bianca. “Besides, coolest aunt is a much better role than mom.” She smiles. “When are you having your own?”
I chuckle. “Not sure,” I say honestly. “I guess when it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.”
“You know you need to date in order for it to happen, right?” She winks at me. “The last time you brought a date was…” She looks up like she is thinking. “Is never.”
I shrug. “I haven’t connected with anyone,” I share, grabbing my own water bottle and drinking a sip. “Besides, if I’m going to introduce anyone to this bunch, I have to make sure she is the right one.” I put my bottle down. “I just haven’t found her yet.” Or maybe you have and you haven’t admitted it, my head screams.
CHAPTER 5
Julia
“Give me a kiss.” I squat down in front of Bianca. “Auntie Juju is going home.”
“Why?” she asks, whining as she plays with my hair around her finger. She always does this when she sits with me.
“Because Daddy is home, and I have to go make sure my house is okay,” I say, pulling her to my chest and kissing her neck. I kiss Bailey next as I walk from the house. The sun is just setting as I walk to my car and get in. Starting the car, I roll down the windows and make my way home.
I leave the windows down the whole way as I listen to the radio and let my mind wander. Pulling into my parking space, I make sure to roll the windows up before turning off the car. I stop at my mailbox before I walk up the ten steps to my second-floor apartment. After eating all that food, I should take a walk. Stepping into my apartment, I can feel the stuffy air from not being in the house the past two days. Plopping my purse at the door, I walk in the kitchen and dump the mail and my bag on the small round dining table before walking straight to the patio door and opening the shades. I open the patio door just a touch, letting in some fresh air, before turning and walking to my bedroom. I’ve lived here for the past ten years. When I signed the lease on the two-bedroom apartment, my goal was to get a roommate, but that never happened. I kick off my shoes before going to the bathroom and starting the shower. After undressing, I take a quick shower and slip into the most comfortable pair of pjs I have. I walk back out and close the patio door, grabbing the big thick, knitted throw blanket Allison bought me for Christmas before sitting on the couch.
I lie down, checking my DVR to see what I’m going to watch, when my cell phone rings from my purse. I get up, walk over to it, and pull it out, seeing it’s Colin. I smile as I press the green button. “Hello,” I greet, walking back to the couch.
“Hey,” he says as I sit down, and I can tell from his tone this is not a booty call.