AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As we enter the cafe, Aiden is holding my hand to my right. I never know if today is the day he will feel like it's his time to shine, eloping the building—all it takes is one bad sensory day. Noah wants chocolate milk and Charlie decides on an ice water and a lemon loaf. I always get Aiden a chocolate chip cookie. There is one person in front of us ordering—why on earth are they taking four centuries to order a latte?Charlie grabs my other hand, except it’s not Charlie, it’s a much larger hand that I feel squeezing three times.Dylan.I gasp and look to my left to confirm, pulling my hand away quickly. I don’t want my boys to know I am dating again.Am I dating again?I look up, finding those damn dimples that make my knees buckle. “Oh, hi…”
He’s with his daughters who are probably three or four years older than my boys. Not caring that I am with my kids, or that he is with this, he leans in to press a kiss to my cheek. “Nice sweatshirt, E,” he says under his breath. He raises his voice a little and explains, “Harriet and Lizzy wanted to pick out a few books and insisted we grab a boba first.”
Boba is definitely an acquired taste, so I’m curious to see what he orders. “I wish my kids would drink it, but they say it’s too slimy. What’s your favorite?”
The older daughter chimes in, “Oh, no. Dadhatesboba, he only comes for the lemon loaf.”
I smile and reply, “I get it. Charlie is obsessed with their lemon loaf here, too. I like their Thai coconut milk tea, with the larger pearls.” She smiles back at me and I continue, “Hi, I’m sorry, it appears I have awful manners. I’m Emma. And these are my boys”—gesturing to each of them as I say their names—“Charlie, Noah, and Aiden.”
She returns the smile. “I’m Harriet, and my sister Lizzy is over there at the table with her e-reader. Wait, did you say Emma? Are you named after the book? Lizzy and I are named after Jane Austen characters.”
Dylan wraps his arm around Harriet, interjecting, “Sorry, I didn’t think to introduce you. Emma and I are old friends, we have known each other for longer than you’ve been alive. It’s actually because of Emma that you’re named Harriet, and Lizzy is Lizzy. She made me watch all the movies with her when we were younger.” I am in absolute shock. How could he just drop that bomb on me, and act as if it’s nothing? Why didn’t he mention it the other night, when he was talking about his girls?
She rolls her eyes, shrugging his arm off her shoulders. “Whatever, Dad.” My guess is she is maybe 14 or 15. She looks to me. “So, what’s the deal? My dad doesn’t have any friends. Are you guys dating, or something?” I’m surprised by the question, unsure of how much he told his girls and how to answer it. Dylan is chuckling, because of course he finds this funny. Thankfully, my kids aren’t paying attention and before I can answer the cashier asks for my order.
As we are waiting for our food and drinks, the kids are over at a table talking about Harry Potter and what houses they belong to. I’m surprised to see Aiden talking with them, he doesn’t normally like meeting new people. I’ve been quiet too long and feel like I need to fill the silence. “So…big weekend plans?”What are you doing? You hate small talk.
He leans in. “Well, I wanted to take out this amazing woman I know, but she doesn’t have time for me.” It’s a playful tone and his smile spreads from ear to ear.
“Come on, Dylan, that’s not fair! I have the boys this weekend.”
His wide grin never falters. “I know, beautiful. I’m teasing. What are you guys up to today?”
Wondering if he is looking for an invite since he is also headed there next, I reply, “Just headed to the bookstore. Noah has a book report due. I also wanted to pick up a book duet my friend recommended.”
He raises his eyebrow and there’s so much playfulness in his expression. “What book did your friend recommend?”
I don’t want to tell him it’s a spicy billionaire romance—which, quite frankly, is thelastthingI should be reading right now. I’m able to avoid the question when my name is called out with my order.Saved by the barista!
As we join our kids at the table next to theirs, Dylan gives me a strange look that I can’t place. “What?”
“I shouldn’t tell you, E. We said we were taking things slow and what I was thinking wasdefinitely not.” Thankfully, his voice is low enough that only I can hear him. He looks over at our kids laughing and…oh. Yep, he’s right, that’s definitely not taking things slow. He looks back to me and leans in. “I’m playing for keeps, Emma. That right there”—he gestures with a nod of his head to our kids—“that’s important to me.”
I nod in response. It’s also important to me, which is why we need to take our time with whatever this is. I can’t help but wonder what everything might look like a year or two from now.
“Hey, Mom, can we head over?” Charlie’s voice brings me back down to earth.
“Sure, let’s head out.” I am about to stand, but Dylan beats me to pull out my chair. “Thank you.”
As the kids are cleaning up, he takes my hand for just a moment. Knowing they aren’t looking, he squeezes three times before releasing it. “Come on, beautiful, let’s go.”
Walking together to the bookstore, the twins are talking with his girls a few paces in front of us, while I’m holding Aiden’s hand. I can tell Dylan is itching to hold my other hand, but am grateful that he is giving me space in front of them.
I ask quietly, so only he can hear, “Why didn’t you tell me? You named your daughters after Austen characters, because of me?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, I figured it would come up eventually.”Thanks for the non-answer, Dylan.
Entering the bookstore, Aiden wants to join his brothers. He has also taken a liking to Lizzy, who seems to be a little introverted, like him. Harriet offers, “I want to grab a book over in the YA section, but I can help Noah find his book if you want?” Charlie has picked out a book and is sitting in one of the comfy leather chairs—he won’t be moving for a while—and Lizzy is looking at the new illustrated Harry Potter book with Aiden.
“Sure, if you don’t mind?”
She smiles and replies to Noah directly, “If you like Harry Potter, I havejustthe book for you! Come on.”
He looks to me for confirmation and I nod. “Go ahead, I’ll be right over there”—I gesture to the fiction and romance sections—“if you need anything.”
As they walk away, I lower my voice so only Dylan can hear. “Ok, I need to move quickly, it’s only a matter of time before one of them gets us kicked out of here…or Aiden makes a break for it.” I head over to the romance section. He follows me, looking over his shoulder at the kids, who are now nearly out of view. He grabs my hand, pulls me down one of the aisles, and backs me up against one of the bookcases. His hands move to either side of me, just above my head.How do I keep ending up caged in by this guy?I’m way too attracted to the fact that he can go from caring dad, to dominating me in such a public place. He closes the distance but stops short of kissing me. Our noses touch, my hands go to his chest to keep him from coming closer. “Dylan, we can’t do this, our kids are just a few aisles away.”
He pulls back a few inches. His right hand leaves the bookcase behind me as he runs his fingers through his hair, then returns it. “I know.” His expression is now almost pained. “I’m sorry. I know I’m messing this up.”
