Lucky enough, she’s retrieving two bags of groceries from her car.Thanks to the unprecedented heat we’ve been having, she’s in a simple, form-fitting half-sleeved dress that showcases her delectable curves.Including the evidence of our night together.
Fuck.My head drops.
Regret is not what makes me trepidatious; it’s anticipation.This is the push I need to claim the woman as my own.As much as I’d like to make my presence known and help her out, I don’t, not now.Plans need to be formulated to get her to agree to marry me and move into my estate.And after my insistence that we couldn’t be together, I have my work cut out for me, but I’m prepared to do anything necessary to win her over.
It’s amazing how things can change in an instant when given a nudge in the right direction.
As she slams the trunk closed, I spot her exhaustion and the bags under her eyes.I must move quickly, because it’s obvious that she needs rest.She’ll be stubborn about it and likely fight me, but hopefully I can convince her quickly to take a sabbatical from work until after the baby is born and a few months old.
Noa loves to teach.I’ve witnessed it when she tutored Odette and her friend Cece.Her passion is one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place.I’d never ask her to leave the thing she loves most.
Introducing myself back into Noa’s life will be difficult, but worth it.
When she’s safely inside, I head back to my car and return home to my enormous empty house.Ordinarily, I’d allow Dylan or Becky to cook dinner, but I wave them off and prepare my own food while thinking through what my next steps will be.
CHAPTER4
Noa
“Good morning, bug.”Nuzzling my nose into Emma’s neck makes her giggle awake after a fitful night.“Let’s brush our teeth, and then we have a whole day planned!”
“Yes!”She jumps out of bed and races to the bathroom, only tripping over her own feet once.Meeting Joey there, he helps her with her teeth and hair while Kylie lays out a few outfits for her to choose from in their room.
Joey typically wakes up with me around nine, and we make breakfast together—normally pancakes or french toast—then Kylie and Emma come rolling out around ten, and we all eat together.Today, however, Kylie was up early, and Emma slept late, but it worked out because the three of us made plans to spend the afternoon at the park with a picnic basket full of lunch and snacks.I’m lucky they’re young enough that the park is still fun for them.
“Which one, Ems?”Kylie asks in the bedroom.I can hear her from the kitchen where I’m packing a few extra water bottles.Today is supposed to be sunny and warm, so I’d rather be over-prepared than under.
While the girls get ready, Joey helps me take the stroller and bags down to the apartment lobby.Fortunately, our neighbors are good people, and I’ve never had to worry about theft while we leave our belongings unattended for a few minutes.Not sure I’d say the same if it were over an extended time period, though.A major downfall of the building is that there’s no elevator, and we’re on the third floor.In a few months, I’m not certain that carrying stuff like this will be possible.
“We weady!”Emma jumps excitedly as Joey and I enter the front door for the last time.
“Great timing.How about we grab our hats and a light jacket or sweater, then we’ll be out the door.”Thankfully, nobody argues, and we’re able to leave within a few minutes.
After locking up, we slowly head downstairs because Emma has wanted to tackle the stairs on her own more.When we enter the lobby, she’s ready to hop in the stroller, and out the door we go, on our way to the playground a couple of blocks away.
About halfway there, as Joey and Kylie walk ahead of us, holding hands, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and a shiver rolls down my spine.The idea of someone watching me creeps me out, but I can’t take my eyes off the kids to look around.
Strolling through the park gate, we luck out and find a picnic table shaded enough to help ease the sun’s heat.“You guys can go play while I set up the food, but stay close to Emma, please, and don’t talk to strangers.”Getting affirmatives from them all, I watch as they rush into the sand around the playground, deciding to play on the smaller slides for Emma’s sake.
They’re incredible kids, and as I think about all they’ve been through, pride nearly bursts my heart because they’re so good to each other and those around them.I can only hope that the baby rolling around on my bladder doesn’t affect them too much.Kylie and Joey have expressed their excitement and can’t wait to help, but I worry about Emma.I’m the only parent she’s known, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s being replaced either.
Grabbing the basket from the bottom of the stroller, I pop the top open and begin unloading it.Each child has their own snack box with eight compartments filled with goodies they’ll eat.Goldfish, strawberries, chopped grapes, cheese cubes, crackers, and slices of deli meat for Emma.Kylie and Joey have basically the same thing, except they opted for sandwiches and carrots.For myself, there’s a BLT sandwich and a container of mixed berries.
Just as I’m about to call them over, Emma and Kylie come running, while Joey hangs back until he’s sure they’re with me before he goes to the monkey bars.He’s such a protective big brother, and I know that once he becomes a man, one lucky lady will be so special to him.
“Hangry!”Emma growls like a lion before pealing with laughter as she climbs up on the bench seat.
“Better feed her before she eats us!”Kylie laughs, too, and passes Emma her box before taking her own.
Sitting opposite them, I keep one eye on Joey before glancing around as that sense of being watched returns.Nobody appears to be paying special attention to us, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out of sight.
“What’s wrong?”Kylie catches on to my tension.
“Nothing, just having a look around.”My forced smile is filled with lies, but she doesn’t say anything else, simply goes back to eating and talking with Emma until Joey finally joins us, wiping his hands with a baby wipe before picking up his sandwich.
“I need more pencils for school,” he suddenly announces, like a lightbulb just went off over his head, and a sheepish look crosses his face.
“Sure, we have to go grocery shopping for the week anyway.We can grab them then.”
