AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I’d be damned if I broke down in front of him again, let alone his kids. After all, it sounded like the twins had suffered enough in their past and didn’t need any of my baggage added to their lives.
Not that I had a long-term future with them or West. Because as much as I might dream of sharing West’s bed, laughing with him and his kids, and maybe hoping for more, I wouldn’t let it happen.
Love and laughter and family were for other people, not for me.
So after I showered and changed clothes, I went back to what mattered most to me—work and the ability to bring other people’s dreams to life.
ChapterTwelve
Weston
Me:Thanks for letting us use your pool.
Emmy:You’re welcome.
Me:Avery wants to bake cookies as a thank you.
Emmy:Okay.
Me:Is it all right for us to come over again soon?
Emmy:Any time.
Me:Will you help Avery again?
Emmy:I wish, but I’m really busy. Sorry.
Me:Okay. I’ll make sure they don’t leave a mess.
Emmy:Sounds good.
Me (typed but deleted):Are you okay, Emmy? I didn’t mean to unload on you. I won’t do it again.
Later that night, as I finished getting my kids ready for bed, my thoughts drifted back to Emmy and what I shared with her in the pool.
Who the fuck knew why I’d blabbered on, telling her about Andrea. I’d thought to leave all that behind in Ridgefield and hopefully move on.
But there was something about the woman that made me want to spill everything. I didn’t know if it was because she was so kind to my kids or that she had a way about her that said she could keep secrets.
Regardless of the reason, I’d shared and now strangely felt lighter. As if sharing with her had made the past a little less painful.
More than ever, I wanted to ask about her parents or her brother and return the favor.
As I tried to convince myself it was a bad idea, Avery poked my side, garnering my attention. “You should take Emmy on a date.”
I blinked, not sure how to answer that. “How do you know about dating?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a baby. Half my friends back in Ridgefield had girlfriends and boyfriends. Jenna’s mom told her all about how her dad had taken her to dinners and the movies and even to see pretty views in the car before he asked her to marry him. You should try that. Then Emmy will fall in love with you and marry you and stay with us.”
Fuck, now I was in for it.
Clearing my throat, I did my best to keep my voice calm. “I know you like Emmy, but she’s just a friend. Well, more like family. I’m not going to date her, let alone marry her.”
“But she makes you smile sometimes, Daddy. And I know she likes us. She even said she was proud of me today.”
“She did?”
She nodded. “Yep. She’s also nice and smart and always has the best snacks.”
