Page 11 of Savannah Sweethearts

I hung up with my mom still puzzled over who I might have invited to her special charity event.

At about ten o’clock, as I scrolled through social media pictures, Tyrell texted and asked if he could call me. Of course, I said yes. The phone lit up with his number instantly.

“Hey, there.”

“How are you doing?” His smooth, baritone voice still gave me goosebumps.

“I’m not too bad. I’m babysitting at my brother’s house.” I sighed as I looked around Tanner’s massive living room.

“I can’t believe Tanner has a kid. I never thought I would see the day he’d settled down.” Tyrell laughed quietly. The girls must be asleep nearby. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize for earlier.”

“You don’t need to apologize at all. That woman was a little scary, though. Is she always like that?” I shivered as I recalled the look she shot me while she was trying to latch onto Tyrell.

He groaned a little, and I heard him move. “Yeah, that’s how I ended up the father of her twins. I took it as flattery at first, but then, she got very possessive. When I told her no, she moved on to someone else. Five guys did DNA tests for the girls. Five. I was the lucky one.”

“They’re sweet girls.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

“They are. I was the only one of the five ready and willing to be a father. One of the guys was only sixteen, Ash. I’m so glad they’re mine. I wish Sabra wasn’t attached, but I love those girls.”

I put my hand to my mouth; his words about his girls were so beautiful. He wanted them, which was such a change from many people these days. Sami and Saffi were definitely blessed with a father who was present and doted on them.

“Don’t even think about it. And thank you again for the flowers. That was such a treat.” I couldn’t wait to get back home to look at them again.

We chatted about everything and nothing for the next thirty minutes until he yawned and said he had to be at work at five the next morning. We hung up, and I closed my eyes until Tanner and Morgan came home.

Tyrell

The charity ball was in a few hours, and I was getting ready at my mom’s house. The girls would be staying the night with her, which was a special treat for all of them. Judy Harris was meant to be a grandmother, and she relished in her role.

“Daddy you look so handsome.” Sami batted her eyelashes at me. “I want to go to the ball and be a princess.” She twirled around in her pink princess dress.

“When you’re big, you can attend all the balls you want. There will be plenty of time for that.” I picked her up and twirled her around until I got dizzy. I tossed her tiny frame onto the couch, where she fell into a fit of giggles.

“You want a turn?” I looked at Saffi.

Always the more cautious child, Saffi’s big, dark eyes looked up at me. “Can you go slow?”

I nodded as I lifted her up. Her blue princess dress draped over my arm as I carefully danced a basic box step with her instead of spinning her into oblivion. When she rested her head on my shoulder, I pulled her closer to me. They were both Daddy’s girls, but Saffi was definitely my cuddler.

My mother appeared in the doorway and snapped a picture on her phone. “Don’t you need to get going to pick her up?” She was over the moon that Ashley had reappeared in my life but nervous about what might happen with Mr. and Mrs. Gloss.

“That’s the best part, Mom. She’s coming here. Ashley has asked about you every time I talk to her, so I asked if she wanted to leave from here.” I beamed, knowing this would please my mother to no end.

“I’m not prepared for guests, Tyrell.” She turned in a circle, her hand to her chest. “It’s a good thing I made tea earlier. I think I have cookies somewhere.”

“Momma, we won’t have time for tea and cookies. She can hug your neck and officially meet the girls, and then, we have to go.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Sami jumped up and opened the door, swinging it wide open for Ashley to enter. She wore a dress the color of peaches with ruffles all along the edges. It hugged all the right places and showed some skin without being vulgar. My heartbeat quickened, and my mouth actually began to salivate.

Before I could say a word, dumbstruck as I was, my mother pushed past me. “Ashley Gloss, my sweet girl. Come give me some sugar!”

Nobody turned down one of my mom’s hugs, and Ashley was no different. She nearly glowed as she embraced my mother. Her eyes closed tightly, and Ashley held on to my mom like she was a life raft. After ten seconds, I cleared my throat, but Momma waved me off and let Ashley hold her.

When they finally separated, I saw the wetness on Ashley’s cheeks. She took a shaky breath. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Harris. I don’t know what came over me, but I have missed that hug for a long time.”

Taking Ashley’s hand, Mom led her inside and sat her down. “Sweet girl, don’t you worry about it. Sometimes, we need those kinds of hugs. And I have missed you, too.” A tissue appeared from her pocket. “Here you go, sweet girl. Now, you’re a grown-up, and you need to call me Judy.”

Ashley laughed. “I don’t know that I can do that, Mrs. Harris.” She dabbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

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