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Since Rowan, I'd been gun shy. I didn't want to be an arse again. And by the time I was even remotely ready, Yas was gone, and I became a mum. Right now, if I had time to shave my legs, it was a big day. I didn't even have the time or inclination to use my vibrator. I was always so tired. Maybe once Flora was older, and I had time and money to breathe, I could download some of those apps on my phone and swipe right or left, or whatever, to find the man of my dreams.
"So, he bumps into you at Luisa's place and comes right over. But he never bothered to look for you for six years?"
"Nope."
"What a fucking prince."
I laughed, though it wasn't funny. I had waited for Rowan to find me and apologize. I had waited for Ace to do the same. After there was no response to my letters, I gave up.
That I was shocked when I saw Rowan was an understatement. And then, when he apologized, I was all but ready to ask him if he was taken over by the pod people, because the Rowan I knew wasn't big on contrition.
"Whatever. Does it matter, Mick? It's not like he's in my life."
"Mum, I'm ready." Flora wore one of the new dresses Renata had given her. A pink one with small white flowers. She twirled in our living room.
Mick whistled. "You look like a princess."
She grinned. "Can we go now?"
"Let me find my wallet." I sighed when there was a loud knock on the door. I opened it and found a repeat of yesterday. Rowan stood there, a wrapped gift in his hand.
"Hi."
I raised my eyebrows. "You lost? Or were you just in the neighborhood?"
He smiled. "I want to talk to you."
"You already talked yesterday, pal," Mick called out.
"Rowan, hi." Flora, too young to feel the tension in any room, ran up to him. "I have a new dress."
"And you look absolutely gorgeous." He crouched in front of her, and my breath caught. How many times had I dreamed of Rowan being the father of my children? Way too many times, because I was a blooming idiot.
"I have a present for you." He looked at me, realizing he hadn't checked with me and when I nodded, he added. "It's a book."
"For me? Really?" Flora's eyes went wide. She wrapped her arms around Rowan's neck and kissed him on his cheek. Hell! She thinks he's a friend, and since she kisses Mick, she thinks she can kiss Rowan. Bollocks!
"Thank you," Flora said prettily and ran to Mick. "Uncle Mick, I have a book."
"I see that."
"Can we read it together?" she suggested conspiratorially.
"Why don't we take it with us to the pub, yeah? We can open it there. Maybe we can get Sharon to read it for story time?" Mick looked from Rowan to me, and I mouthed, thank you.
"Mum?" Flora was excited.
"Sure. I'll join you in a little bit."
After a flurry of hugs and kisses, and Mick warning Rowan to behave, I let Rowan into my condo…again.
I didn't sit or ask him to.
"It's Family Hour at Mick's Pub."
He nodded. "I'm sorry. I…it's Saturday, so I thought you'd be home. Rather, I hoped you'd be home."
"What do you want, Rowan?"
