Page 23 of His Greatest Treasure

One of the first lessons I learned as a parent was that our children always come first. You have to put aside your own wants and needs when it comes to them. Your own opinions on their choices don’t matter when they bring them happiness. They need to experience life to the fullest. Have to forge their own path no matter what.

Nova may only be seven, but she’s been her own person for a long time now. I’m not sure me telling her not to converse with boys would even register anyway. Controlling isn’t the type of mother I want to be.

Cooper presses a kiss to Addie’s cheek and whispers something in her ear that turns her red. An answer to her question that I don’t want to hear.

“I better go introduce myself to this boy,” I say, standing from the chair. “Tomorrow, right? You’ll text me the information?”

Addie looks up, cheeks still flushed. “Tomorrow! Do you want my number first?”

“Oh. Right,” I mutter before handing my phone over.

We exchange numbers quickly, and after a tight hug, I leave them and head over to my daughter. She notices me when I step behind her and set a hand on her shoulder. Her closeness settles me, the mom in me happy with knowing she’s safe.

“Hi, Mom. I made a friend,” she gushes, lips spread in a wide grin.

“I see that. Will you introduce us?”

Gracie squeezes my bicep and steps aside to greet another family, leaving us alone for a minute.

The boy tips his head back to look at me, nervousness in his gaze. I try to make myself look as unintimidating as possible.

“I’m Jacob,” he stammers.

Nova tugs at my wrist. “He likes Jake better.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jake. I’m Avery.”

His hand shoots out, and with a soft laugh, I shake it. Wetting his lips, he points to the woman walking toward us, her hair tied back in a neat bun and classy outfit, looking as though she must have come here straight from work.

“You sure know how to make yourself scarce in a crowd, Jake,” she says once we’re only a few steps apart.

I turn to her, keeping my expression light. “You must be Jake’s mom. I’m Avery Miller, and this is my daughter, Nova.”

“Tasha Rogers. It’s nice to meet you.”

Jake settles into her side, and his cheeks lose some of their redness. Tasha is a short woman with the deepest brown eyes I’ve ever seen and a gentle aura about her that draws me in. I don’t want to scream in frustration at her company, so that already makes her better than Oliver.

Fuck, I have to stop thinking about him.

Nova interrupts my thoughts. “Me and Jake are friends now.”

“Is that right? Well, that’s great. My Jakey doesn’t make friends all that easily,” Tasha says.

I laugh at that. “Nova makes them a bit too easily.”

“Can we go for ice cream together, Mom?” Nova pokes at my side.

“What about next time? We’ve got to stop by the shop tonight.”

“My mom sells flowers,” Nova tells Jake and his mom.

My skin heats at the blunt info drop. “Iwillsell flowers. The shop is still under renovations.”

Jake gasps up at Tasha. “You love flowers, Mom!”

“You do?” I ask, interest piqued.

She waves off the question. “I like gardening. I’m not so sure it’s the same as owning a flower shop.”

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