Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Problem is, when they’re not arguing they’re plotting.”
“Better you than me, bro. At least for now. Good night?”
He nodded, unable to hold back his grin at the thought of having been in Fallon’s bed.
“That good? Who is she? The girls were whispering about some chick named Fallon who they wanted to bring to Mom’s birthday celebration.”
“That’s her. Remember the last time the girls ran away?” At Liam’s nod, Noah went on. “I found them in an art store where she works. From behind, the twins thought she was Charlie.” He shrugged. “Since then, they’ve been obsessed.”
Liam’s eyes grew wide. “Seems like they’re not the only one. You do realize Mom is going to make a big deal of you bringing someone along with the twins?” They both knew their mother wanted her sons to meet someone and fall hard. She was obvious and vocal about her desire.
“Mom already knows about Fallon. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned her. Anyway, I told the girls I’d ask her and that’s what I went to do today.”
“Except you did a lot more than that.”
“Isn’t it time for you to go home?”
Laughing, Liam scooped up his jacket from the end of the sofa.
Noah walked his sibling to the door and let him out, locking up behind him, then set the alarm. He strode into the kitchen and cleaned up whatever was left for him to do, which mostly involved rinsing the bowl they’d used for popcorn and putting the empty water bottles in the recycling bin.
Shutting the overhead lights, he turned on the lamp in case one of the girls woke up during the night and came to the kitchen for a drink of water, then he peeked into the twins’ room to see them talking to their mom. Together. He shook his head at the earlier drama and on his way to his room, he overheard Fallon’s name.
It wasn’t the first time the twins had mentioned her to Charlie. Which meant it was time for him to discuss his love life with his children’s mother. Considering he brought Fallon around the girls often now, he owed it to Charlie to fill her in.
“Daddy!” As if on cue, the girls yelled for him to come take the iPad. Occasionally, Charlie wanted to hear about the girls from him.
He walked in and took the iPad from Dylan. “Girls, brush your teeth and get ready for bed. I’ll be back to tuck you in soon.”
He hoped they never outgrew this particular nighttime ritual as it was the favorite part of his day, when the girls were drowsy and quiet and they could talk about anything on their minds.
“Hey, Charlie,” he said, bringing the device up so he could see her and vice versa. Walking into his room, he sat down on the bed, mentally preparing for the conversation to come.
“Noah, how are you?” she asked, covering a yawn. She stayed up late to talk to the girls close to their bedtime.
“Busy but good. Yourself?”
“Tired.”
Though he wouldn’t say as much, she looked exhausted and unhappy. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Sometimes living your dream is hard when your other priorities are somewhere else. I miss the girls,” she said.
“They miss you too,” he assured her.
“Any luck finding a babysitter or nanny?”
He let out a low laugh. “Not at all. And our little terrorists have vowed not to like anyone I bring home.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Except Fallon?”
And there it was. As much as he knew he’d have to bring up the subject, he wasn’t surprised she’d gotten to it first. The girls talked about her too often for her not to be curious.
He ran a hand through his hair. “They’re… fond of her.” She’d already been privy to the explanation of how they’d all met when Noah had insisted they tell their mother about their runaway exploits.
“And so are you?”
He leaned back against the pillows and headboard, and propped the iPad on his raised legs. “And so am I. Listen—”
“No, I want to say something first. Your love life is none of my business except as how—”
“It relates to the girls,” he finished for her. “I’d planned to tell you tonight that I’m seeing her and the twins will be around her more often.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed and her expression took on what he thought of as her worried face. “Is it serious?”
“That’s none of your business. She’s a good person and adores the twins. She’s sensitive to their needs and that’s all that should concern you.” He had no intention of getting into Fallon’s insecurities and past with Charlie. They shared children and that was all.
“Dakota and Dylan said she’s coming to your mother’s birthday. You’re bringing her around your family. Is it so wrong to worry that it’s happening fast? What if you two end things and the girls get hurt?”