Page 102 of Knot What I Expected

“I will.”

“Brush your teeth.”

“I will.”

“Listen to Mrs. Donnelly.”

“I will.”

“Don't eat so much cake you puke.”

“Okay.”

Mrs. Donnelly laughs.

I kiss his forehead.

“I love you.”

“Love you too, Mommy.”

Then he's gone again.

I make it all the way outside before I have to stop and breathe.

He's okay.

I'm okay.

This is good.

This is what I wanted.

A life.

I glance back through the window and see my son laughing with the other boys.

Yeah.

This is exactly what I've been fighting for.

Chapter 10

Gabriella

By the time I finish climbing in my car—which is working for a change—and getting ready for Dick’s, I have my emotions mostly under control.

Mostly.

Tonight should be good money. There's a bachelorette party booked in the back room, and I'm supposed to bartend and waitress exclusively for them for part of my shift.

An extra hundred dollars guaranteed, plus tips. So when my manager asked if I wanted it?

Hell yes.

Apparently there are fifteen women coming.

There will be cocktails. Shots. Penis-shaped straws, because of course there will be. And probably at least one woman crying in the bathroom before midnight.