Page 17 of The Homewrecker's Fate

“It is messy, though,” I admitted.

Braxton jerked his shoulder up in a half-assed shrug. “Could be worse. You could have been a conniving bitch who knew he was married with kids and Mel could have been the evil, embittered wife waiting to take you down at every turn.”

Mel and I turned to one another. “If you could call being cheated on lucky, I guess we did win the lottery of situations.”

She nodded. “I could do without the pregnancy heartburn, but otherwise I’d have to agree.”

“Do you think you would be up to doing this one day at my house? Well, not the condo, but my mom’s house. She would like to meet you, too.”

“Oh, my word! Aviva, I didn’t even think to invite your mother along. I’m so sorry.” It was refreshing that my new friend was genuinely worked up over leaving my mother out. Considering my lover, her husband, hadn’t given even a single kind thought toward my mother whenever I brought her up. That should have been a major red flag for me, and I was disappointed that I was only now understanding how bright red that particular flag had been.

I waved away her concern. “No, it’s fine. I think your kids meeting me is enough. There was no need to add another person just yet.” I glanced at Brax. “You’re welcome to come, too.”

He chuckled and Mel followed suit.

I decided to own my shit. “My mom may be loyal to her husband, even though he passed away, and she might have had a stroke, but even she can appreciate some eye candy cooking in the kitchen.If you vacuum, she might just be willing to beg my father for forgiveness once she meets him in the afterlife.”

“He does vacuum. Mrs. Acker might have met her match,” Mel teased as she threw a lemon seed at Brax.

“At least I know where I stand with this one,” he said as he hitched his thumb over his shoulder at me. “I can’t believe I’ve turned into nothing more than pretty window dressing over brunch.”

Mel cackled as my cheeks flamed.

“If we’re being honest, I don’t know you well enough for you to be much more. I’ll let you know if we can upgrade your position from window dressing to chef after I taste whatever you’re making over there.”

“So, you want to taste my goods?” He winked at me again after throwing that innuendo out. Mel slapped my thigh and nearly doubled over laughing.

“He cooks like a dream.”

“Thanks, Mel.”

It was weird. I expected him to throw the playful and flirty banter her way, but they really did get on more like a close family than two people who might be having a baby together.

“Mom! Is she here yet?” A boy of about ten or so asked as he came barreling into the room.

“Slow down, Gav,” Mel warned her son. He stopped and his eyes immediately found mine. It was startling to see him. The children had been there that day at the office, but I hadn’t really looked too closely. It was obvious that he was his father’s son. Poor Mel would have to stare at the face of her cheating husband every day for the rest of her life because her son was an exact replica of Rich. I hoped, for his sake, that his personality ended up coming from his mother rather than his father.

“This is Aviva Acker,” Mel introduced. “Avi, this is my son, Gavin.”

“Aviva?” He asked. “How did you get a name like that?”

“How did you get a name like Gavin?” I playfully threw the question back at him.

He tilted his head to the side and studied me before grinning widely. “My parents gave it to me.”

“What a coincidence! My parents gave me my name, too!”

His smile never dropped as he glanced from me to his mom and then to Braxton for approval. “Better watch out, Gav. Avi and your mom aren’t above ganging up on people. They have the baby emotions in common right now.”

“Aw man,” Gavin turned back to me, his eyes immediately lowered to check out my belly. “I thought your baby was coming in September?”

“That’s correct,” I answered him and watched as his eyes floated over to his mother’s belly.

“Boy!” Mel called, and I could hear the humor in her tone. “I’ve already had two children. That means my tummy grows bigger much quicker than Avi’s does.”

“Sorry, Mom,” he quickly apologized for whatever slight he may have given her.

Mel rolled her eyes at him. “Typical boy. It’s okay to be curious, Gav. Just be respectful, too.”

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