Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 61542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
“William doesn’t have multiple lives to go through while you learn to get used to him,” Katie says, her voice stern but gentle.
“I know. I’m—”
“Yeah, you’re sorry. I know.” Katie cuts me off and sighs. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have let you put him to bed. It’s too big of a responsibility. Maybe you should start with, I don’t know, spoon-feeding William?”
“If you say so. Anything to give you peace of mind. Anything to keep William safe and healthy. You’ve been doing a great job at that, so I’m sure you know what to do,” I say.
“I do. I’m bad at a lot of things, but I’d like to think I’m a pretty good mom.” Katie starts to relax.
“You’re a good mom.” I rub Katie’s back. “That wasn’t your fault. That was all me.”
“Sorry. I get a little . . . I don’t know. I sometimes go a little overboard when it comes to William’s safety.” Katie falls silent, but her body relaxes into my embrace, and her arms wrap around me.
I know I’ve pissed her off tonight, and I know she’s not in the best mood right now, but I’m pretty much on cloud nine.
Aside from the fact that I haven’t, in fact, killed my firstborn son, the mother of the aforementioned firstborn son has also just told me she wants me to stick around.
Katie doesn’t seem to realize she’s said anything important. But just the fact that she’s seen me screw up and she’s giving me a chance to learn not to screw up again means a lot to me.
After all, William’s the most important thing in the world to her, and she trusts me with him. What bigger compliment can a man get?
No matter what it takes, I’ll live up to my promise. I’ll make Katie proud. I’ll show her it’s not a mistake to put her trust in me.
Katie
“You look amazing,” Adam says when he picks me up for our first official date.
It feels pretty ridiculous to call it a first date, seeing as we’ve already slept together and even have a child together, but it is what it is.
“Thank you.” I give Adam a smile, even though I'm sure he's being generous.
I know I don’t look the way I did three years ago. It doesn’t sound like it’s been that long, but I’ve gone through some really stressful times. Those things have taken a toll on my appearance.
My hair’s dull, and my skin doesn’t feel as smooth as it used to. I may have seen some fine lines on my face, too, and I’m only twenty-five.
Even this black sheath dress doesn't fit like it used to, especially around the waist. I’m wearing a trench coat on top of the dress, but it’ll have to come off in the restaurant.
I’m just realizing now that all the clothes in my wardrobe are either dated or ill-fitting. It’s not like I’ve needed to keep my clothes updated when I’m always either wearing scrubs at the hospital or wearing puke-stained sweatpants at home.
I probably bought this dress four or five years ago, before William was born. I had a better figure then. And I had time and money to burn.
“You look great, too,” I tell Adam, who's staring at me so intently I’m starting to feel self-conscious.
I’m not just saying it to distract him, though. He really does look great.
I can already imagine the jealous glares I’m going to get from other women in the restaurant. So many people are going to call me fat in their heads tonight.
“Thank you.” Adam gives me his hand and a charming smile. “Your ride awaits, my lady,”
I giggle as I put my hand on his. “Someone’s been watching too much Game of Thrones.”
Adam grins. He wraps my hand over his strong arm. He’s so solidly built I can feel how muscular he is, even over his shirt and coat.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I’m supposed to give something to Sawyer.” Adam reaches into his coat pocket and hands me the car key. “Would you wait in the car while I go back inside for a minute?”
“Okay.”
I step inside the luxury sedan, where it’s warm, and plop my butt on the smooth leather seat. I watch as Adam opens the front door to the house and leaves it open while he goes in to do whatever he’s supposed to do.
I stare at the open doorway, watching it closely. My hand’s on the car door handle. I’m ready to fly out to grab William in case he wanders out.
When I see Adam walking back out instead, I breathe a sigh of relief.
As soon as he joins me in the car, I say, “You know, you really should’ve closed the door earlier.”
Adam turns to look at the front door. “It is closed.” He gives me a confused look.