Page 6 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

“Okay.”

Next thing I know, we’re saving each other’s phone numbers, my fingers moving automatically over the touchscreen as I wonder why I’m doing this. Right, single mom. Haven’t been with a man in a long time. I’m young. I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. And I can’t let my ex-husband’s cowardice ruin what’s left of it. Besides, Reed seems like the more balanced of the three brothers.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” Reed says, inching a bit closer.

It sets something off within me, transforming forbidden thoughts into desperately needed action. There is barely any air left between us. The tension crackles like electricity. I hold my breath. His lips part slowly, and the wilderness in his eyes sends my pulse racing. All I can do is nod, mindless and speechless.

He then goes back to the meeting.

I watch him go, and my heart is beating so fast that it might explode. Is this how the first level of promiscuity begins for someone like me? I meet a guy—or three—at the community center, and there are instant sparks. My panties get wet, we exchange phone numbers, and thenwham, bam, thank you, ma’am?

What am I getting myself into here?

Whatever this is, I’m not backing down. My body demands it. I am as curious as a cat, and that may very well be my undoing.

2

Dakota

Ikeep replaying the entire scene in my head. It’s as if something came over me as soon as I walked into that room and saw them: Archer, Maddox, and Reed. Their names are imprinted on my brain, etched with something sharp that permeates everything.

I’ve never felt this kind of magnetism, and the fact that they are identical makes the entire experience all the more confusing. I can understand having the hots for one of them, but having the hots for all three? It’s ridiculous.

Taking deep breaths, I stand outside Chelsea’s house for a moment. I need to pull myself together. I check my phone. I don’t know what I was expecting to see, butDING. New message.

“Huh,” I manage.

It’s a text from Reed.

It was a pleasure meeting you, Dakota.

I text back, my thumbs moving without my permission.

It was a pleasure on my part as well.

It was a pleasure on my part, as well. Good God, why don’t I also send him my kind regards while I’m at it?

Thanks for what you saidin the meeting and for agreeing to exchange numbers.We’re struggling parents. There’s a lot we can learn from each other.

Yup, that sounds good.

Wow, I’m really piling on the charm here… Jesus. I slip my phone back into my purse and go inside the house. “Mommy!” Maisie exclaims as soon as she sees me come in.

She jumps from the sofa and runs straight into my arms. I laugh as I hug her tightly. “Missed you, too, baby. Have you been good?”

“For the most part,” Chelsea giggles as she joins us in the foyer.

“For the most part?” I ask, then give Maisie a curious look. “What does that mean?”

My sweet girl puts on her signature “guilty but innocent” expression, wide brown eyes piercing right through my soul. “I wanted something sweet,” she mumbles.

“We don’t have sweet stuff in the evening, you know that,” I reply.

It’s one of our rules. No sugar after seven in the evening. It has worked wonders for both of our sleep cycles.

“But there’s no school tomorrow!” Maisie insists, shaking her head making her honey-colored pigtails bounce.

“That is true,” I say.

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