Page 4 of How To Not Need You

"I knew becoming a mother for a second time would change you."

"I still don't know if it's a one-off."

"I hope for Alexander's sake it isn't."

"So do I."

I take another sip of my coffee before putting it on the table and leaning over the pram, after a discreet sniff test, I determine the six-month old is safe to approach. Gently brushing a finger across Grace's impossibly tiny hand. Her fingers curl around mine with surprising determination.

“Still running the household?” I ask Grace.

Harper’s entire face softens. “Completely.”

"I can tell." Grace rewards us with a gummy grin before losing interest and becoming fascinated by the toy clipped to her pram instead. I glance back at Harper.

"And Leo?"

"He still adores her."

"I had a feeling he would be the best big brother."

"He insists on reading her a bedtime story every night. Doesn't matter that she falls asleep halfway through." I smile at the thought of one of my favourite little men. At nine years old, he somehow embodies all that is right with the male gender..

"That's ridiculously cute."

"I know."

"They've both been spoilt rotten by Alexander."

"As they should be."

"He's a wonderful dad."

"He really is."

I am so glad he was the man I decided to spend a wild night with after the cheating-husband reveal. That asshole still has some justice owed to him for leaving Leo and me high and dry.

I look back at Grace.

Thank fuck it was Alexander. Otherwise, this little surprise miss may have been a tad more problematic.

For a moment we sit in the comfortable silence that's never awkward between us. Then the bell above the door jingles again. I don't look up straight away. Instead, I pick back up my coffee and take another sip. Then a familiar little voice cuts through the morning chatter.

"Liv!"

My eyes close for the briefest second. Well. So much for quietly drinking my coffee. By the time I look up, Tilly is already halfway across the café, golden curls bouncing as she runs towards our table with fearless enthusiasm.

"Morning!" she announces, as though we'd planned to meet. She comes to a stop beside me, slightly out of breath, clutching a small pink backpack.

"Morning, Tilly."

"I told Daddy you come here."

"Did you now?" Behind her, Jake is making his way across the café with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry," he says as he reaches us. "She spotted you before I did."

"I did," Tilly confirms proudly. Jake laughs, rubbing the back of his neck.