Page 60 of Forever Mine

Chapter 21

When I got home, Mom had just put Angel to bed. I tiptoed into her room and kissed her forehead. “G’night, baby,” I whispered, savoring the scent of baby powder she still sprinkled liberally on her skin.

She yawned and mumbled, “G’nite, Mommy. Did you tell Uncle Scott I said hello?”

“Yes, honey and he said, ‘Right back at you.’”

“Cool.” She yawned again. “‘Nite, ‘nite.”

“See you in the morning, love.”

She snuggled under the sheet and closed her eyes. In another minute, she was fast asleep. I was glad I caught her before she was out for the night. While I enjoyed being with Scott, I didn’t want our time to interfere with Angel’s routine.

She’d been the most important part of my existence for the last five years and I didn’t want to upset that balance—even if it meant postponing my happiness.

I pulled her room door close to the jamb and went to talk with Mom, who was watching a comedy rerun on cable.

A moment after I sat on the sofa, my phone buzzed. I removed it from the outer pocket of my handbag and saw that Scott had sent me a text.

You home, babe?

Safe and sound.

Dream of me.

After tonight? Maybe I will. :D

I have more where that came from. Happy to oblige any time.

I’ll hold you to that. Good night.

Talk to u in the morning.

I was smiling when I said to Mom, “Thanks for watching Angel for me.”

She took her eyes off the television. “There’s nothing I love more than spending time with my favorite granddaughter.”

I rolled my eyes at that comment, and we both laughed.

“Are you hungry?” Mom asked.

“No, I ate with Scott.”

Her gaze cut to my handbag. Spilling out of it was a stuffed rabbit with super-long ears. Scott told me to give it to Angel. I hadn’t asked him any questions, but figured the gift came out of her badgering him about his work at the studio. She was always interested in cartoon characters, as well as the ones Charstat created.

When Mom looked at me, I said, “Yeah, he brought it for her. She’ll love it.”

“Yes, and it’s good seeing you out and about.” She continued her thought after a glance at the television. “Except for your get-togethers with Rita, you’re home all the time.”

“Says the woman who only gets out once or twice a week.”

“I’ve been going to that law office for forty years without fail. Retirement meant freedom and make no mistake, I enjoy doing exactly what I want on my schedule.”

I understood what she meant. She’d worked as a paralegal for as long as I could remember. Her job came with long hours and me spending most evenings with my dad, which I didn’t mind.

Since Nolan lived overseas, I spent as much time as I could with Angel. I didn’t want her to think she was missing out on anything. Thankfully, she didn’t mind me being out with Scott.

“How much longer is he going to be here?” Mom said, pulling me out of my head. “And how d’you plan to manage things when he leaves?”

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