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“I know you have a mom and a dad,” Hayden adds. “But if it’s okay with you, we’d like to be your friend. And if you ever need anything, we’re here… always.”
And just like that, my heart feels as if it’s almost whole again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
BRODY
“There they are,” Bree’s friend Lacey says as Hayden and I walk through the door of Heart’s, thanks to her letting us in. It’s after hours, so the shop is closed, but they’re still here closing up. “Heard you were the reason the kids had the best birthday ever.” Her brows rise for dramatic effect. “Their words, not mine.”
When Hayden and I shrug, a grin spreads across her face. “I wish I could’ve been there, but my son had his end of football camp award ceremony, so I was out of town. But I heard what you guys did. Thank you. I haven’t seen her this happy since…” She clears her throat, not needing to finish her statement. “She works hard, moms even harder, and doesn’t give enough to herself. She needs someone to put her and her kids first.”
I’m about to respond when I hear Bree speak. “Miles, I understand you’re bored, but I have to work, so I need you to chill out for a little while, please.”
I glance over and see Bree walking out of the kitchen with Miles on her heels. Her face is etched in frustration, but as always, she speaks with the patience of a saint. She’s been so busy this week we haven’t seen her at all. She’s still looking for a new baker, and until then, she’s doing it all on her own. But it’s Friday, and we insisted on spending some time with her and the kids.
“But Mom,” Miles moans.
Bree looks up, and when she sees us standing there, a small smile graces her lips. “Hey,” she says, walking over and kissing me and then Hayden. “Did we have plans?”
I chuckle softly. The woman has so much going on that she can’t even remember whether we made plans.
“Shoot, we did, didn’t we?” She groans, then glances at Lacey. “Don’t you need to get going? Your husband will not be thrilled that his wife is late for their anniversary dinner.”
“He married me for better or worse,” Lacey jokes. “You sure you’re okay? If you need me to—”
“I’m good. I promise,” Bree assures her. “Go. Enjoy your anniversary weekend. I’ll see you Monday.”
Once Lacey is gone, Miles starts whining again that he’s bored, and Bree takes a deep breath, her eyes going to the ceiling like she’s praying to God not to let her lose it on her child.
“Hey,” I say, pulling her away from everyone. “Why don’t Hayden and I take the kids to the park while you finish up here, and then once you’re done, we can go back to our place for dinner and a movie?” We’ve wanted to bring the kids to our place. We’re hoping to eventually convince Bree to move in with us, and the first step is to make sure the kids are comfortable there.
“I couldn’t—”
“Yes! Please, Mom,” Miles begs, obviously hearing what I said despite me trying to speak low enough so he couldn’t.
“Kids have bionic hearing,” I mutter. “I’ll remember that.”
This makes Bree bark out a laugh. Fuck, I love that sound.
“Guess I can’t say no now.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “But you’re sure you’re okay with that? I have an interview with a potential baker in”—she glances at her watch—“thirty minutes. She seems promising, and if it works out, it will mean I won’t be working as much.”
“You don’t have to explain shit to us,” I say, needing her to know we’re not about to add to the weight on her shoulders, “but that makes me happy because you seem a bit stressed.”
“I am,” she admits. “I got two more contracts, which is amazing, but that also means more work. Hopefully, this interview goes well.”
“You focus on that, and we’ll take the kids to the park and then meet you back here,” Hayden says.
“Yes!” Miles fist pumps in the air. “Evie! We’re going to the park.”
“Yay!” She comes running out of the kitchen with a box in her hands. “I made you cupcakes,” she says, thrusting the box at me. “Both of you.”
Opening the lid, I find two sprinkle-covered cupcakes. “Thanks, princess. They look delicious,” I say, closing the box.
“You’re welcome.” She beams.
After saying goodbye to Bree, we take off to the park. Miles loves all sports, so on the way, we stop at the store and pick up a basketball, and while we’re there, Evie gets chalk.
We spend the afternoon playing with the kids, who, when they’re not cooped up in the bakery, are damn good kids. I can’t really blame them, though. At their age, my mom had me in camp all summer. It was probably to pawn me off so she wouldn’t have to deal with me, but I loved everything we did. Which gives me an idea…
