Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“You’re probably right about that,” I agree, not really wanting to think about a time when my baby doesn’t need me so much. “So how did it go last night?”
“All right, though I’m not sure Mav is going to be able to last the full four days. I might trade places with him tomorrow if he says he needs a break.”
I try to hide the disappointment I’m feeling with a sympathetic smile. “Poor Maverick.”
“The good news is Mason agreed to help run supplies the next few days, so you won’t have to.”
“That is good,” I respond, because I really was not looking forward to driving the four-wheeler alone after only having one day of practice.
“The bad news is I won’t be around, except to pick up meals and shit from the kitchen.”
“Oh,” I say quietly, and his expression softens.
“That said, I hope we’re still on for this weekend.”
“We’re still on,” I tell him softly, and he looks relieved.
“Good, and I’ll call when I can, and if you can’t get ahold of me, leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I have a minute.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeats. “Tell Sam I’ll see him soon.” With my throat tight, I nod. “Talk to you later, babe.”
“Yeah, later.” I hang up and look at Sam. “I’m in so much trouble, baby.” I scoop him out a bite of his oatmeal and feed it to him. “So much trouble.”
“I’d say so.” My mom startles me, and I almost drop my phone. “Then again, it sounded to me like Blake is in just as much trouble as you are.” She goes to the coffeepot and pours herself a cup. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“We haven’t been seeing each other,” I say, and she sends me a doubtful look. “Seriously, last weekend was the first time we spent any real time together, and yesterday—” I cut myself off.
“Yesterday what?”
“Nothing.”
“Everly.” Her tone and look let me know I need to start talking.
“Fine, he kissed me,” I admit. I mean, it was just a peck on the lips. I shouldn’t be embarrassed about that, right?
“He kissed you,” she repeats, and I nod. “At work?”
“Yes.”
“Everly, honey, I . . .” She comes over and takes a seat across from me. “I’m all for you finding someone, and I do like Blake, but I just . . . it’s just . . .”
“He’s my boss,” I say, guessing that’s what her issue is, because it’s one of mine, and she nods. “I know. Believe me, it’s something I’ve thought about.”
“It’s more than that, honey. I just want you to promise me that you will take your time and get to know him, really get to know him.”
“I’m not rushing into anything. I learned what can happen when you do that, and I never want to go through that again, especially now that I have more than just myself to protect.” I drop my eyes from hers. “Falling in love with the wrong person is not a mistake I ever want to repeat.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” She frowns.
“Didn’t I?” I frown back. “I jumped right into things with Lex without really finding out who he was, and I assumed we were on the same page, when the reality was we were in completely different books. I made a lot of mistakes when it comes to him.”
“You fell in love.” She reaches for my hand. “Do you know how many women fall in love, get married, and have kids, only to realize months, years, or even decades later that the person they chose wasn’t who they thought they were?” Her hold on me tightens. “Now, I might not want you to jump into things with Blake or anyone else without getting to know them, but I also don’t want you to have your walls up so high that you make it impossible for the right person to get to you.”
She stands, letting my hand drop, then leans over and kisses my forehead, cupping my cheek as she meets my gaze. “Putting your heart on the line is scary, especially after getting hurt, but when you do find the right person, you will realize everything you went through was worth it. Every relationship is a learning experience. You find out what you need from someone and what you don’t, what you like and dislike, and how you expect the person you chose to treat you.”
She lets me go and kisses the top of Sam’s head as tears fill my eyes. Mom continues, “Lex was a learning experience, and if you really think about it, he was one of the best things that happened to you, because at the end of the day, you wouldn’t have had Sam without him.”
With that statement hanging in the air, she picks up her coffee and walks across the kitchen to the doorway she came in through minutes ago, saying over her shoulder, “I’m going to get dressed.”