Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“We’re almost there,” I replied, trying to drive as slow as possible. “Haiden, you okay back there?” I questioned through the rearview mirror.
I basically had to bribe him to come.
He was not happy about me dating someone, and it had nothing to do with Ashton. Haiden had been the only man in my life all his life, and he wasn’t used to my attention being on anyone other than him. All the dates I canceled were because of Haiden. I didn’t want to lose Ashton, and I silently prayed Haiden would eventually warm up to him. I couldn’t be with someone that my boy didn’t approve of; it just wasn’t in me, so the pressure for them to hit it off was layered on thick.
“Whatever.” He shrugged, not looking at me.
“I know you’re mad at me.”
“He’s not mad at you, Mama. He’s mad at your boyfriend.” Haven giggled.
Haven, on the other hand, was thrilled to be meeting Ashton. She’d asked me hundreds of questions about him, and they never stopped. Especially after I told Ashton that Haven loved the tulips he’d sent me, and the very next day there was a delivery for her from him.
Pink tulips, her favorite color.
Haven wasn’t the only one who relentlessly asked me about him. The curiosity was very much mutual. Ashton wanted to know about Haiden and Haven as well. I told both of them everything they wanted to know about one another, so they both knew a lot about each other already.
I showed Haven pictures of Ashton and me together, and she thought he was the cutest guy aside from Harry Styles. Again, Haiden couldn’t care less. He showed no interest in anything when it pertained to Ashton.
“I know you’re unhappy, bud, and it kills me that you’re upset about us dating. But I’ll tell you once again that no one is going to replace my love for you.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Haiden…”
“Mom, I don’t care if you have a boyfriend. I just don’t understand why I have to meet him?”
“Because if he’s going to continue to be in my life like I hope he is, then I need to make sure you approve of him.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I need you to really try, Haiden. I need you to give him a chance. Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah, Mom. I already said I would. Why do we keep talking about the same thing?”
“Hey! Enough with the attitude.”
“Yeah, Haiden, enough with the attitude.”
He kicked the back of Haven’s seat.
“Haiden!” I shook my head in disappointment.
“What? She started it.”
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, and we should go back hom—”
“No, Mama! I want to meet Ashton.” She glared back at her brother. “You’ll be fine once we get there. Won’t you, Haiden?”
He smiled at her.
This was the first time he had smiled all day which aided my nervousness a little.
“You’re right, Haven. I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll behave.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
He smiled at me through the rearview mirror. “You’re happy, I’m happy.”
I beamed. “Do you mean that?”
He nodded, still smiling at me. “I love you.”
My heart melted. “I love you too, bud.”
We drove in silence for the rest of the fifteen-minute ride until we pulled into Ashton's community and then his driveway.
“Is this his house?” Haven questioned, grabbing her unicorn backpack.
“This is his house.”
Haiden grabbed his Transformers backpack and jumped out of my SUV with Haven right behind him.
Taking a deep, solid breath, I followed their lead and locked the door to my vehicle. We were standing ringing Ashton’s doorbell with my heart in my throat.
The instant I saw his dimples when he opened the door, I felt this huge sense of relief. Ashton never hid his emotions, and right now, he was genuinely excited to meet my babies.
“Hey, little mama,” he answered, kissing me on the cheek.
This was his thing. He called me mama with almost anything.
Sexy mama.
Pretty mama.
Feisty mama.
It changed with whatever mood I was in, or what he saw in me at that moment.
I loved it.
I loved him?
I shook away the question for what felt like the hundredth time that week. “Hey, dimples.”
He winked at me, looking down at the two little humans who were standing beside me. Haven was hiding behind my leg, slightly peeking out through the fabric of my maxi dress. She was always shy when she met new people. Haiden was the opposite. He was standing like the man of the house, even though we weren’t home.
Ashton didn’t waver. He crouched in front of Haven to be at eye level with her. “Hey, baby girl.”
She smiled; it was what my dad and Brady called her too. “Hi.”
“And you must be princess Haven?”
She gasped. “I am a princess! How did you know?”
“Because all princesses have magic around them.”
She gave him the biggest toothless smile, stepping out from behind my legs to stand next to me instead.