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Somehow, that annoyed me. “You’re not a fling to me. I hope you want to see me when we’re back in Boston.”
“You know I have a daughter, right? I’m not all that glamorous to date,” she deadpanned.
“I’m not either. I work a lot, and it can be high stress. I want a chance to see where this goes. I’d love to meet Quinn when you’re ready.”
ChapterEleven
SASHA
“What?” Thea asked, her eyes wide as she stared at me.
“I know, it’s crazy, but I… well, I really like him.”
Thea’s eyes widened as a smile stretched slowly across her face. “Oh, my God, this is perfect.”
“It is?”
She gave me a long look. “Yes. You are an incredible mother, and that absolutely should be your first priority, but you also deserve a little romance. So does Noah.”
Later that evening, we opened presents under the Christmas tree and toasted the holiday with yummy hot cider. With the house sparsely furnished and only one bedroom set up, Thea had brought multiple air mattresses and the family members had set up in a few of the other rooms. It all felt cozy and relaxed, which I savored.
Noah’s arm rested across my shoulders as we sat in front of the fire and laughed with his family. In a funny way, this was the closest thing to family I’d ever had growing up. And I almost needed to pinch myself to realize Noah really wanted a chance with me.
ChapterTwelve
SASHA
“Quinn?” I knocked lightly on her bedroom door. I was greeted with a long silence. “Quinn?” I prompted.
I heard the shuffle of footsteps before my daughter swung her door open. Her dark hair was in a lopsided ponytail, and her dark eyes blinked at me through her glasses. “What?”
“If you need anything, Melanie is right next door.”
The only word I could think of to describe my fifteen-year-old daughter’s expression was sullen. She scrubbed her toe back and forth on the hardwood floor. The motion drew my eyes downward, and I idly noticed she was wearing mismatched socks—one bright royal blue with stripes and the other pink with polka dots.
“What would I need?” she asked, pushing her glasses up on her nose. “I’m just going to play some video games online. Matilda is here to keep an eye on me.”
I glanced over at Matilda who thumped her tail on Quinn’s bed where she was comfortably ensconced. “Honey, I don’t know what you might need, but I just wanted to remind you to check with her if you need anything.”
Quinn nodded slowly. “Mm-hmm. She’s always right next door, Mom. Where are you going for dinner?”
“I’m not sure yet. Why don’t you ask Noah when he gets here?”
My daughter didn’t actually growl, but I imagined if she wasn’t trying so hard to play it cool, she would’ve. Just then, the doorbell rang. Quinn moved to close her door, and I put my hand on it. “I’d like you to meet Noah. He’s an old friend.”
“And your new boyfriend,” she said, complete with an annoyed sigh.
I pressed my lips together. I wasn’t quite ready to call Noah my boyfriend, but I wasn’t about to get into that little debate with my daughter.
“Come on,” I said with as much gentleness as I could muster in my tone.
With another heavy sigh, Quinn followed me silently down the hallway to the living room. We didn’t have a large apartment. We had exactly what I could afford—a small two-bedroom in Boston. It was a common New England setup—an old home renovated into apartments. We shared the second floor with Melanie. She was a good friend and had babysat Quinn when she was younger. Quinn didn’t need a babysitter these days, but I liked having someone for her to check in with if needed. Melanie was a godsend.
The small hallway in my place had two bedrooms and a bathroom with laundry. The rest of the apartment was a living room with a small archway into a kitchen.
I opened the door, and the moment I saw Noah standing on the other side, my belly did a quick flip. I abruptly got nervous and fluttery—a feeling I didnotwant to have in front of my daughter.
Noah’s shoulder rested against the wall with his hand tucked in his pocket. He looked good enough to eat. Based on what he was wearing, I presumed he had come here straight from work. He wore slacks with leather shoes paired with a navy down jacket over a button-down. He glanced up, smiling the second he saw me. My pulse revved like a little engine in my body. My own lips tugged into a smile instantly, and I felt like a foolish girl.
