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“A friend and a bodyguard? How did I get so lucky?”
She laughed loud enough that a bird in a nearby tree screamed back before taking off. “I like you. I knew I would when I heard how Sebastian talks about you.”
I nodded towards the house. “I need to check on my six-year-old teenager. Would you like to come in?”
She hesitated for a few seconds and then grinned. “God, yes. I know I should probably do the polite thing and say no, but I’m dying to learn all about you. Plus, if I come back to my assistant with anything less than everything, she might actually murder me.”
35
***Fiona***
“In bed, mister.” I pointed at the stairs after kissing the top of an unwilling Avery’s head. “It’s already past your bedtime. If you get in trouble at school tomorrow, you’re going to lose the four wheeler for a few days.”
He shot me a look and pouted. “Mom!”
I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Go on. I love you.”
He climbed a few steps before turning around to face me. “I love you, too, Mommy.”
My heart melted. He’d been growing up so fast that he hadn’t called me Mommy in too long. I reached up and picked him up so I could hold him. “I love you more than you’ll ever know, Avery. Is there anything you need from Mommy, buddy? Anything that you aren’t getting lately since I have new friends coming around?”
He wrapped his little arms and legs around me so I decided to carry him to bed. He was quiet and I instantly panicked that maybe I’d been neglecting him. I was already halfway to ending things with the guys until Avery felt better when Avery giggled. “More four wheeler time.”
I scoffed and tickled his sides. “You little stinker.”
He squealed loud enough to bring Mallory out of her room. She adjusted her nightgown and wiped her mouth before frowning. “I thought someone was dying out here.”
A mountain of a man appeared behind her, his arm wrapping protectively around her waist. “Everything okay?”
I recognized the bodyguard from Jake’s show immediately and blushed bright red at seeing their state of undress. Covering Avery’s eyes, I spun around so I wasn’t facing them. “Everything’s great. It’s nice to see you again.”
Mallory giggled. “Paul, Fiona. Fiona, Paul. We’ll just be getting back to our crossword now.”
Paul stepped back into the room and I whispered at my big sister. “Use protection!”
She snorted. “I’m not an idiot. No offense.”
I glanced down at my bloated belly and sighed. “Fair.”
She winked at me before slipping back into her room and closing the door. A second later, I heard the bed thump against the wall and prayed it was the sound of my sister jumping into the bed to finish their crossword puzzle.
Avery was quiet until we stepped into his room, which was thankfully on the other side of the house from Mallory’s. “Who was that guy with Aunt Mal? He looked like a wrestler.”
Since he was already ready for bed in his pajamas with his teeth brushed, I just tucked him straight into bed and sat beside him. “He’s a friend of Aunt Mal’s. He was big, wasn’t he?”
“Am I going to grow up to be that big?” He flexed his tiny arms and grunted when I stuffed them back into the blanket burrito I was making around him.
“Maybe. Your dad was tall. You’re already the tallest kid in your class. Maybe you’ll grow up to be as tall as Aunt Mal’s friend.” I smiled down at him. “Or maybe you’ll be even taller.”
He smiled sleepily, not far from passing out after being tucked in so snuggly. “I want Sebastian to be my dad. And Ryder, too. And Jake.”
Butterflies erupted in my stomach and I leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Get some rest, buddy. I love you.”
He yawned. “Love you, too, Mom.”
I watched him until he was in a deep sleep, snoring slightly. I made sure his new nightlight was on before turning off his lamp and pulling his door mostly shut. The floors in the new house didn’t creak the same way the floors in the apartment did but I still tip-toed carefully down the hallway and down the stairs.
I picked up my phone from the kitchen island and was halfway through making sure all the windows and doors were locked when it buzzed gently in my hand. It was a text from Sebastian, asking if I could sneak away for a little bit. I looked down at my worn pajamas and patted my ratty hair. I asked him to give me a few minutes to make sure Mallory could keep an eye on Avery and then I raced upstairs to take the world’s fastest shower.
