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)
He groaned because she made a valid point. But it was one Fallon had already thought of and brought up to him. “I understand and I’ll be careful with what I tell the girls about mine and Fallon’s relationship.” Especially since Fallon was skittish, not that she’d acted it tonight.
Still, once he’d left, he had no doubt her thoughts might spiral. But he was in too deep not to see where things went.
“That’s all I ask,” Charlie said. “They’re our priority.”
He bit his tongue when he’d been about to ask if that were really true. The more rational part of him knew she’d had to take this job opportunity, one she’d dreamt about since she’d learned about archeology and digs but in doing so, she’d left the girls with a hole they were trying to fill with Fallon. Not that she was the type to ever try and replace their mom.
“They are a priority,” he assured Charlie and they said their goodbyes.
As long as he put the girls’ welfare first, Noah had a right to do what made him happy. And Fallon was quickly becoming a key to his happiness. He was lighter when she was around and as she pointed out, he smiled more. Despite the age gap, which he had not told Charlie about, Fallon meant something to him.
Though he understood he needed to take things at her pace, he wasn’t about to let her go.
* * *
On Saturday morning, Fallon stood at her closet door, picking out and discarding clothing on her bed, unhappy with all her choices to wear to meet Noah’s family.
As much as she tried to minimize the significance of today’s outing and remind herself that Noah said it was a combination of a date and a friend joining them, it was his parents and it meant something.
“Breathe,” Brooke said from her spot on the bed. She was in the city today and she’d come by to drop off a blouse she’d borrowed and was now helping Fallon choose clothes.
“I’m breathing. It’s just that—”
“Nope. It’s just a day out with Noah and the girls. It’s not like you have an audience with the King of England.” She let out an amused laugh at her own joke.
Fallon rolled her eyes. “Like you’ve never gotten fussy about what to wear when my brother shows up in town.”
“Rude,” she muttered, but she was blushing and still half smiling and therefore not really mad. She grabbed a pillow from the other side of the bed and repositioned herself so she was more comfortable. Then she pointed to the corner of the bed. “Wear that skirt.”
Fallon picked up the black pleated skirt on the top of the pile. “This one?”
Brooke nodded. “And this top.” She lifted a light blue sweater that would look perfect with the skirt. “Add a pair of black short boots and your cute leather jacket.” She slid off the bed and stood. “And my job here is done.” She took a bow for her effort.
“Thank you!” Fallon hung the garment over her arm and walked over to hug her friend. “You’re the best.”
“I try. But seriously, relax and be yourself. Whatever this thing is between you and Noah, his family will love you. How could they not? You’re a sweetheart. And you saved the girls from the big city. Now go, have fun, and for the love of God, don’t think!”
Laughing, Fallon walked her friend to the door and let her out, promising to text her and let her know how things went.
She showered and dressed in the outfit Brooke picked out, then put on a light layer of makeup, being true to herself. She decided to wear her hair in a bun with soft tendrils framing her face.
When Noah called to say he and the girls were in the car downstairs, she picked up the gift she’d wrapped for his mom, drew a deep breath, and walked out her door.
She took the elevator downstairs, said hello to her doorman, and stepped into the cooler air. Noah stood by the passenger door.
“Hi!” she said as she joined him.
“Hi, yourself.” His hazel eyes appeared more green than brown in the sunlight, helped along by his hunter-colored thermal shirt. She wanted to devour him whole and had to remind herself the twins were in the back seat.
“You look beautiful,” he said, gesturing for her to have a seat.
“You’re pretty handsome yourself, Mr. Powers.”
He let out a low growl and she thought it was prudent to break the sexual tension and get into the car.
She eased into the vehicle, then turned around and smiled. “Hi, girls!”
“Hi, Fallon!” they chimed in unison.
Noah settled into the driver’s seat and soon they were on their way.
“What’s in the box you’re holding?” Dylan asked.
She laughed. “Can it be a surprise present for your grandmother?”