Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Just annoyed that the first time you met my dad, he was drunk, but not sure if it matters, because he will likely be drunk the next time you meet him too.”
“I’ve met him before, Aria. He just doesn’t remember me.”
“Great.” I sigh, and he stops walking, then turns me to face him, taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tipping my head back.
“I told you before, babe, I don’t give a fuck what your parents think or do. I care about you.” He touches his lips to mine, then leans back. “We’re on the same team, okay?” He waits for me to nod, and once I do, he takes my hand and walks me the rest of the way to the truck, where Gia and Colton are standing.
“I’m sorry about tonight, guys.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not a big deal,” Gia tells me quietly before tipping her head back to look at her husband. “I’ll see you at home in a few hours.”
“Yeah, baby.” He kisses her forehead then her lips before he comes to give me a hug. “We’ll find time to really celebrate soon, Aria.”
“I’d like that.” I give him a small smile, then grab his arm. “If my dad can’t get a ride home, will you call me?”
“Sure.” His face softens before he looks at Tide. “We’ll talk later.”
“Yeah, man,” Tide agrees, and they bump fists before both men help Gia and me into the truck.
When the doors are closed and it’s just Gia and me inside, I feel her hand come to rest on my shoulder and squeeze. I wait for her to say something, and when she doesn’t, I realize that real friendship is not speaking for the sake of filling the silence… but just being there in silent support.
Chapter 11
Aria
I STARE OUT the window of the pizzeria, wondering how today is already here. The night we saw my dad at the bar, Tide told me that he wanted me to have dinner with him and Olivia on her birthday. At the time, it felt so far away, but this last week has been a whirlwind of dealing with contracts, working on my new series, and spending every free moment I have with Tide. And with everything happening, I didn’t have a lot of time to worry, but now that I’m sitting here, the butterflies fluttering in my stomach are making me nauseous. I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous than I am right now or felt like more was on the line.
“I’m so nervous.” I shake out my hands in an attempt to get them to stop shaking, then turn to glare at Gia when she laughs. “This isn’t funny.”
“It’s a little funny.” She picks up Gino from his carrier when he starts to fuss. “Also, it’s so sweet that you’re nervous about meeting Olivia, when I have no doubt she is going to love you on the spot. She’s a good kid.”
“But what if she doesn’t like me?” I ask, and Gia looks up at the dozen pink and gold balloons floating above my head, then at the big birthday bag that I brought with me, sitting on the table.
“She’ll like you.”
“You can’t buy love, Gia.”
“You’re right about that, but she is going to think it’s sweet that you bought balloons and a gift for her birthday when you didn’t have to, and she’s going to see how happy you make her dad and love you even more.”
“Or she’s going to hate me because I’m with her dad,” I mutter, and she sighs.
“Don’t stress about stuff that hasn’t happened. Just wait until you meet her.” She hands me Gino, and I drop my chin to look at his cute little face.
“You’re right. I’ve just always been the person who plans for the worse-case scenario, then if things turn out good, I’m relieved, and if they turn out bad, I’m not disappointed,” I admit as I touch my finger to Gino’s cheek, and he smiles as he latches onto my finger.
“I get that,” she says, then asks quietly, “Do you want kids?”
“Yes.” I lift my head to meet her eye.
“Then everything will be okay.” She looks across the room when the bell rings, and I do the same, feeling my heart lodge in my throat. Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen dozens of pictures of Olivia on Tide’s phone, but seeing her in his arms, wearing a frilly dress and tights, with her hair curled, a cute little crown on her head, and a wide smile on her pretty face, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more adorable.
“Aunt Gia.” Olivia wiggles for her dad to set her down, and once he does, she runs to Gia and jumps into her lap.
“Happy birthday, sweet girl,” Gia says as Tide leans down to kiss my cheek.