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)
“Was I boring too?” she asks, looking at me seriously.
“Nope,” I say with a laugh. “You hated sleeping, so you kept me very busy.”
“Sleeping is boring,” she mutters.
“It is,” I agree. “But we need it so we can grow. That’s why babies sleep a lot—so they can grow.”
“Can I go in the pool now?” she asks. “Addie and Kingston want to go in the pool too. Right, guys?” She looks over at the toddlers, who are playing in the pretend kitchen and couldn’t care less about going swimming. “Addie! Pool?”
“Poo!” Addie agrees, toddling over and pulling up her cover-up to show off her bathing suit.
“Ugh, fine,” I groan, not wanting to give up the precious baby yet.
“I’ve got them,” Ryder says with a chuckle. “Come out when you’ve had your baby fill.” He winks at me and then says to the girls, “Who wants to go swimming?”
Both girls squeal in delight.
“All right, let’s go.”
Ryder lifts both girls into his strong arms and carries them out the back door with Julian and Kingston following behind.
Once they’re gone, Ana glances at me with wide eyes and whispers, “What was that?”
“What was what?” I ask, leaning in and sniffing the baby’s sweet scent.
God, I miss that smell. It was what got me through the weeks of sleepless nights. I would rock Violet for hours, smelling her scent.
“Um, hello? That!” Ana points in the direction of the pool, but before I can ask her again what the hell she’s talking about, the doorbell rings, and she gets up to get it. A moment later, she returns with another woman.
“Kira, this is Paige,” Ana says, pointing to a beautiful woman with brown hair and blonde highlights that are swept off her neck in a messy bun.
Her blue eyes meet mine, and she smiles warmly.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says, coming over and sitting next to me. “Oh, and aren’t you just the sweetest little thing?” she coos to Emilia, who’s still sleeping in my arms.
“She must really like you,” Ana says with a smile. “This is the longest she’s gone without eating.”
“Well, the feeling is mutual,” I say, glancing back down at the baby.
There was a time when I imagined having an entire household of little ones running around. Until I became a single mom and then dreaded the thought of getting pregnant by Brian. I’m still young, and I know anything can happen, but at this point, I’ve accepted that Violet might be my only baby.
“Where’s John?” Ana asks Paige.
“He had an emergency at work. I told him if he gets done soon to come by.” Paige looks at me. “John is my workaholic boyfriend.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “He’s trying to prove himself at the company he works at, so he’s become their yes man.”
“Hopefully, once he renews his contract in September, he’ll allow himself to breathe a little bit,” Ana says to Paige. Then, to me, she explains, “John moved here from the UK on a one-year contract. He’s managing the division he works in, and as long as he’s doing well, they’re planning to make it permanent.”
“Oh, are you from the UK?” I ask Paige.
She doesn’t have an accent, but anything’s possible.
“Not originally. My dad is a pilot, so we moved all over. We lived in London for a while and then I moved back after college to get my MBA and stayed when I accepted a job at Benson Liquor. That’s where I met Ana,” she says, smiling at her friend. “Last year, John was offered a promotion, but it meant moving to the States, and since it was in Houston and so close to Ana, I moved with him.”
“She’s our chief marketing officer,” Ana explains. “And one of the best people I know.”
“Damn right I am.” Paige lightheartedly bumps Ana’s shoulder. “Speaking of which, where’s the wine?”
“What does wine have to do with anything?” Ana laughs.
“Um, everything,” Paige deadpans. “Friends don’t let friends stay sober for too long.”
Paige shrugs, and Ana giggles.
“That’s definitely not how the saying goes,” Ana says as Emilia starts to whine.
With one last inhale of her sweet scent, I hand her over to Ana, who grabs a blanket from over the couch and drapes it across her front so she can feed her daughter.
“Kira, white or red?” Paige says, standing.
“Oh, um, none for me, but thanks.”
“Fine,” Paige groans. “Guess I’m going to be solo drinking.”
“You might want a drink,” Ana says to me. “There’s nothing worse than hanging out with a drunk Paige while you’re sober.”
“You’re such a cheeky bitch,” Paige calls out behind her while Ana cackles.
Their close friendship is evident, and it makes me miss my mom. Our relationship isn’t as comfortable and easygoing as theirs, but she’s always been my person. Someone I could talk to and confide in. She’s never judged me, and she’s always had my back.