I try not to let it get to me that the sexy Grayson doesn’t want me left alone with his children, but it kind of stings. Then again, I understand. He lost their mother tragically, and those two angels are all that he has left of her. The sting, though, it’s still there.
“Why don’t you ladies go grab a spot in the reading nook and I’ll be right there?”
“He’s protective,” Christine says once the girls are out of earshot.
“It’s fine.” Walking behind the counter, I reach for the sign that says Reading in session, please ring the bell for service and place it on the counter. “All set.” Grabbing my coffee, I smile at her. “He’s their father, and even though we’ve all lived in this town our entire lives, I’m a stranger to him and to them.”
“You’re hardly a stranger.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “Grayson and I went to school together, but our circles don’t really follow one another. Besides, they’re his daughters. He has every right to say who can and cannot spend time with them.”
She nods. “Thank you for understanding.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth, the chime over the door sounds and in walks the man himself.
“Hey, Chris.” He gives her a tired smile and kisses her cheek. “Where are the girls?” He looks at me, albeit briefly, before his eyes scan the room. Giggles filter from the back of the room, and he smiles.
“They love it when Laken reads to them.”
Something flashes in his eyes, and although brief, I can see the sadness and the pain. “They talk about it a lot,” he tells her before turning to me. “Laken.”
I’m well aware that I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman. However, the teenager in me who had the biggest crush on one Grayson Davis is swooning over how he says my name. I’ve never heard my name fall from his lips, and let me tell you, it’s sexy as hell.
“Grayson.” I nod and turn my attention back to Christine. “It was good to see you,” I tell her.
“You know they won’t let me live it down if we miss a day. That was the first thing they asked when Grayson dropped them off this morning. They were sure to remind me that Nana Jackie brings them here every Thursday,” she explains. “I’m going to go say goodbye.”
Together, the three of us walk to the back of the store where the reading nook is located. The girls look up and spot their father and come running. I watch as he drops to his knees and catches one in each arm, hugging them close.
“Daddy, we missed you.”
“Are you here to read with Miss Waken? Wait, we don’t have to leave, do we?” This is from Harlow.
“No, Daddy. We have to read. It’s Thursday. That’s our story day,” Harlow explains. “Nana Chrissy bringded us here. Just like Nana Jackie.”
“It’s Thursday,” Hayden echoes.
“We’re not leaving. Nana had some things to do, and I just happened to be getting off work.”
“Yay!” they cheer and step out of his hold.
They each grab one of my hands and pull me toward the reading nook. It’s more of a cozy area than a nook, but nook sounds so much better. It’s a small corner in the back of the store. There is a round, bright green, super soft, plush rug for us to sit on.
“Girls, I’m leaving,” Christine calls after them.
“Bye, Nana!” They wave at her.
“All right, are we ready?” I ask them.
“Yes! Mine first,” Hayden says, thrusting her book about the scared little bunny toward me.
“Once upon a time—” I start but stop when Harlow yells for her dad.
“Daddy, you have to sit on the circle during story time,” she tells him with all the attitude of an adorable little four-year-old. She even gives a little huff at the end of her demand as if she’s irritated he didn’t already know.
“Yeah, Daddy, come sit.” Hayden pats the soft green carpet next to her.
“You’re more than welcome to join us,” I tell Grayson. “Or, if you’d prefer, there’s an adult lounge.” I point to the two small leather loveseats that are in the opposite corner of the store.
“Daddy.” Harlow stands and takes him by the hand, pulling him to the carpet. “Sit with us.”
He smiles down at her and does as he’s told. She climbs into his lap, and he snuggles her close. When Hayden moves beside me, I expect her to go to him as well. However, I’m surprised when she lifts my arm and settles on my lap.
“You can read now, Miss Waken,” she says, tilting her head back to look at me.
I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t dare look. Instead, I smile down at his daughter and begin to read. It takes a lot of effort, but I pretend like it’s just the girls and me as I read to them, changing my voice to emulate the characters. They giggle here and there, but for the most part, they’re quiet little angels while I read.
“My turn!” Harlow climbs off her dad’s lap and moves toward me with her book in hand.
Without saying a word to one another, Hayden stands from her place on my lap and takes her sister’s place on their dad’s, while Harlow settles on mine and hands me the book.
“You ready to read about sheep?” I ask.
“I’m ready.” Harlow tilts her head back against my chest, and I can’t help it. I give her a little squeeze before I begin to read. When we’re finished, the girls stand with their books, and I expect happy smiles and a flurry of activity, but what I get is sad faces.
I’m still sitting on the floor, as is Grayson, but both girls are now standing with their books in their hands. “Hey,” I keep my voice soothing, “what’s with the sad faces?”
“Nana left,” Hayden whispers.
“And she didn’t give you the card. That’s what Nana Jackie does so we can take them home.”
It dawns on me that they’re sad they don’t get to keep the books. “Well, guess what?”
Their curious little minds can’t help but ask “What?” at the same time.
“Today, those”—I point to the book in each of their hands—“are gifts.”
“I can pay for them,” Grayson says.
I turn to look at him for the first time, and I can’t read his expression. His green eyes are watching me intently. “I insist,” I tell him. I force my eyes back to his daughters. They don’t need to see me drooling over their dad. “These books are my gift to you.” The words are barely out of my mouth before two little bodies, adorned with smiles that could give the sun a run for its money, lighting up the sky, are wrapping their little arms around me.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” they say in unison, and I have to admit this twin thing is a little freaky.
“You’re welcome. Now, there is one thing you have to do for me,” I tell them.
“What?” Harlow asks.
“You have to read every day. It’s good for your mind.” I tap my temple. “And your soul.” I place my hand over my heart.
“Miss Waken.” Hayden giggles. “We can’t read. We’re this many.” She holds up four fingers.
“Hmm.” I pretend to think of a new plan when this was my plan all along. “Well, I guess you’re just going to have to look at the pictures and make up your own stories.” There is nothing like the imagination of a child, and I know these two little angels putting their minds together could come up with some interesting stories. “How about next week, when Nana Jackie brings you in, you read to me? You can tell me the stories you create?”
“Yes!” they say together, bouncing on the balls of their feet.
Glancing over at Grayson, he has his head slightly tilted, watching the three of us intently. If I’m not mistaken, there is a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. He’s even sexier now than he was when I had my crush on him in high school. He’s tall, toned, and tatted, and I realize I’m staring at him. Averting my gaze back to the girls, I block out the way the ink swirls around his arm and his muscles bulge in his T-shirt.
“Girls, we should let Miss Laken get back to work.”
“Okay,” the
y begrudgingly agree.
After a round of hugs, the girls each take a hand and pull me from the floor—after a few tries, of course, since we have to make a game out of it. Once I’m standing on my own two feet, their little arms wrap around my legs. “Bye, Miss Waken. Thank you for the books.”
“I’ll see you next week, ladies, and you’re welcome,” I say, patting their backs.
“Ready?” Grayson asks. He’s now standing next to us.
The girls release me, and each takes one of his hands, their books in the other. “Thank you.” He nods at me.
“You’re welcome,” I say as they turn and walk away. I follow along slowly behind them. Not so close that I feel like a stalker, but close enough that I can watch him in those worn fitted jeans as he walks away.
When the door closes, I push thoughts of the sexy Grayson Davis and his adorable twin daughters out of my mind and get to work putting away my delivery. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me feel like my sixteen-year-old self again. I had the biggest crush on him in high school, but that was years ago, and we’re both adults now. He’s a single father. He shouldn’t be making me feel all warm and gooey inside from just being in his presence.
I think Justine is right. I do need to get out more. I make a mental note to call her. It’s definitely time for a girls’ night.
About the Author
Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!
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Also by Bethany Lopez
Contemporary Romance:
The Jilted Wives Club Trilogy
Starter Wife
Trophy Wife - Preorder Now
Work Wife - Preorder Now
Mason Creek Series
Perfect Summer
A Time for Love Series
Prequel - 1 Night - FREE
8 Weeks - FREE
21 Days
42 Hours
15 Minutes
10 Years
3 Seconds
7 Months
For Eternity - Novella
Night & Day - Novella
Time for Love Series Box Set
Time to Risk
The Lewis Cousins Series
Too Tempting - FREE
Too Complicated
Too Distracting
Too Enchanting
Too Dangerous
The Lewis Cousins Box Set
Three Sisters Catering Trilogy
A Pinch of Salt
A Touch of Cinnamon
A Splash of Vanilla
Three Sisters Catering Trilogy Box Set
Frat House Confessions
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Frat House Confessions: Brody
Frat House Confessions 1 - 3 Box Set
Frat House Confessions: Crush - Coming Soon
Romantic Comedy/Suspense:
Delilah Horton Series
Always Room for Cupcakes - FREE
Cupcake Overload
Lei’d with Cupcakes
Cupcake Explosion
Cupcakes & Macaroons - Honeymoon Short - FREE
Lei’d in Paradise - Novella (Carmen & Bran)
Crazy for Cupcakes - Coming Soon
Women’s Fiction:
More than Exist
Unwoven Ties
Short Stories/Novellas:
Contemporary:
Christmas Come Early
Harem Night
Reunion Fling
An Inconvenient Dare
Snowflakes & Country Songs
Fool for You - FREE
Desert Alpha (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella)
Fantasy:
Leap of Faith
Beau and the Beastess
Cookbook:
Love & Recipes
Love & Cupcakes
Children’s:
Katie and the North Star
Young Adult:
Stories about Melissa – series
Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
Stories About Melissa Books 1 - 4
With Love
Adios
Young Adult Fantasy:
Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale
New Adult:
Friends & Lovers Trilogy
Make it Last
I Choose You
Trust in Me
Indelible
Perfect Summer: Mason Creek, book 7 Page 15