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As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow on the sand, I passed children playing in the surf, their laughter a sweet reminder of my own youth. Further down the beach, a group of teenagers bobbed on their surfboards, patiently waiting for the perfect wave. I couldn't help but wonder if someday Ava would join them, her father proudly watching from the shore. But then a nagging thought surfaced: Was raising a child without a mother really fair? How was it possible for me to be both mother and father to Ava?
Before I knew it, with my gaze transfixed on Amy's apartment building, I had run approximately eight miles... passed the Surfside Cafe'.... passed the sculpted dunes where we had made love. Finally, I stood at the boardwalk entrance and stared at her building, noticing a light in her bedroom window. My breath hitched when I saw her silhouette. Wondering if she could see me standing there, I waved.
I waited, praying she would appear on the boardwalk, searching for me. But the light in her window went out, and there was no sign of Amy. Then, like a cold wave, my hope was swept away.
So, with a heavy heart and sore feet, I trudged back home, my thoughts consumed by the growing uncertainty of my future, and a silly thought struck me.
What the Hell does a guy like me wear when meeting his baby daughter for the first time?
ChapterNine
Amy
"Mum, is the tiramisu ready?"I inquired from my room as I applied my Crimson Kiss lipstick—a memento of the unforgettable evening spent with Mitch.
"Just another minute, darling!"
When Meagan called me last night to invite us to a Rosedale cookout this afternoon, I was hesitant to accept, knowing it involved my parents and me. However, once she mentioned Mitch wouldn't be there, I felt relieved and agreed to join, offering to bring Mum's famous tiramisu for dessert. My parents were thrilled to meet Harper, Jonathan, and the twins, Lily and Liam, while I was eager to catch up with my closest friends.
Papa insisted on driving his Cadillac and carefully placed Mum's dessert basket in the trunk before we headed toward Guy's estate. En route, I filled them in on Meagan and Chase's home within Casa Palacious and how Guy initially rented the massive estate for its top-notch security before falling for Ariel and tying the knot. "And Papa, rumor has it that an Arab prince was the first owner of this huge estate, complete with a vineyard, and bought it to escape his family."
"You sure he wasn't Sicilian?" Papa's comment about our family history made Mum and I giggle. Though never discussed publicly, the Russo family's colorful connections were hardly a secret.
Papa pulled up, careful not to block the road to the vineyard, and parked. As we arrived, laughter and chatter filled the air. Meagan was bustling in the kitchen, whipping up an extravagant meal for everyone. The twins were busy with their toys, and I noticed Mum quickly joined them, even helping to feed the little ones. Watching her effortlessly care for the children warmed my heart. My mother had always longed for more kids, but it just never happened.
Papa, on the other hand, wasted no time joining the men on the back porch, grilling steaks and enjoying a cold beer. Their boisterous laughter echoed around, and it was evident that my father was in his element. Despite having a fabulous time with my friends, I couldn't shake the guilt of Mitch's absence. It nagged at me, making me wonder if his decision not to come was because my parents and I were attending. Had I inadvertently caused him to miss the Rosedale gathering?
Before long, I found myself on the floor, playing with Jonathan and his vibrant building blocks, marveling at how much he had grown. "I can't believe he has all his teeth already," I shared with Ariel, my voice laced with wonder.
She chuckled, "I know, right? It feels like he was just a tiny baby yesterday. Time sure flies." Eventually, Meagan managed to escape her cooking duties and joined our chit-chat, agreeing with my sentiment as she sat down beside me. Not long after, Ariel excused herself to mix up more mimosas for us gals.
A pang of guilt hit me when Meagan mentioned Mitch and inquired about the latest updates. "Well, while my parents were away, we started seeing each other—you know, as more than friends. Mitch opened up about his shock at discovering he was a father and how anxious he was about my reaction. Naturally, I was taken aback, but I didn't hold it against him. So, he asked me to help find a nanny for little Ava. And—drumroll—he was incredible." I giggled, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
With a sly grin, Meagan arched a brow, teasing, "Go on, spill the tea!"
But my smile faded as I finished the story, "Well, the cops showed up. That's when the stalker made an appearance. We managed to dodge that bullet, but honestly, I was scared out of my mind!"
"I don't blame you…"
"Then, the next day, during an interview for a nanny, Mitch casually labeled us as 'friends with benefits,' making me disappointed….” As I poured my heart out, Meagan's expression softened, and she gently touched my shoulder.
"Amy, I hear you," she confided. "Think back to the rocky start Chase and I had. It's tough, but sometimes we need a jolt to see what our hearts truly desire."
"I know you're right, but it's just so difficult," I sighed, handing Jonathan a red block.
"I feel you, girl. But don't let past pain cloud your judgment. You deserve happiness, and if Mitch is the key, then you owe it to yourself to give him a shot," Meagan declared, the conviction in her voice.
"But there's more. My parents aren't exactly on the Mitch bandwagon, and he's about to be a single dad. Maybe it's just not in the cards."
"Amy, taking a leap of faith can be scary, but sometimes it's necessary. If I had let fear rule me, Chase and I would never have had the joy these twins bring us," Meagan said, her gaze filled with love as she looked at her kids playing on the blanket.
"Anyway, about the stalker. Did you catch a glimpse? Was it a guy or a girl? Could you ID them? Do you think it's the same creep who snatched you?" Meagan asked.
"I never saw the kidnapper's face, but it could have been the same guy. What intrigued me was the voice—so eerie, I'll never forget it. But the other night, the cops didn't give me a chance to see the beach lurker or hear him speak before they whisked him away," I recounted.
"Yeah, and the FBI told the guys he's already out on bail since nothing really went down."
"It's all so bizarre, honestly." I shook my head, wanting to forget the whole mess and just enjoy the festivities. As we shifted to lighter topics like my new gig at Rosedale, I spotted movement outside the window. Mitch! Anxiety tightened my chest, wondering how he'd react to Papa. "Oh, no! Mitch is here. I thought you said he wasn't coming."
