Page 84 of Pucking Secret

“Oh, sorry,” I mumble, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says with a smile. “I, uh… didn’t let you get a lot of rest this trip. My bad.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You’re not sorry at all.”

“No. No, I’m not.”

He leans down and gives me a kiss, then rests his forehead against mine for several quiet moments.

Finally, he softly asks, “So... can I come in?”

I look back up at him and nibble my lip hesitantly. Honestly, I’d love to bring him inside and spend the rest of the evening and night with him. Watch him play with Millie and tuck her into bed. Under normal circumstances, I’d jump at the chance to have him spend more time with us.

However, there’s one little obstacle standing in our way today — my mother. She’s stopping over later today because I finally caved and told her she could spend time with Millie. I know if I bring Owen in with me, and if he’s still here when she arrives, we’re not going to escape a confrontation. I’m too tired to deal with a verbal attack against the man I love.

“Um… maybe not today,” I say slowly.

His brow furrows, and I hurry to explain. “It’s just — my mom is coming over, and she’s… not exactly your biggest fan.”

Owen looks momentarily taken aback, but lets out a soft laugh, though it lacks humor. “Well, that’s not a surprise.”

“Don’t take it too personally,” I sigh. “It doesn’t matter what I say to her or how many times I try to clear up everything that’s happened between us - my mom is stubborn. She firmly believes women don’t need men as permanent fixtures in their lives, so she’d be hostile to any guy I was with.”

“But, of course, she especially hates me,” he replies. “Forabandoningyou.”

“She’s leaving town in a few days,” I hurriedly say. “We won’t have to worry about her after that. I’m just letting her be with Millie for a bit before she goes.”

He nods slowly, his jaw tight but his expression calm.

“Alright,” he sighs. “I get it.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.”

I move to get out of the cab, but Owen grabs my hand and stops me. “What about tomorrow? Can I take Millie to school?”

My heart skips a beat at the request and I can’t help my smile. “You want to?”

“Of course I do,” he says, his tone earnest. “I want to be there for her — for everything.”

I eagerly nod. “I’d love that. She’d love that.”

Owen grins, and it seems the sting of my rejection has eased. “Great. What time do I need to be here?”

“Seven,” I tell him.

“Seven it is,” he says, leaning in to brush a soft kiss against my cheek. “I’ll see you then, Stace.”

“I can’t wait,” I whisper. Then, I climb out of the car and head toward the door, my steps light and my heart full and humming with delight.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: END IT

STACEY

When I walkinto the front door, I immediately hear the sound of little feet.

“Mommy!” I grin as Millie comes barreling down the hallway toward me, beaming with excitement as she wraps her arms around my legs and hugs me tight. You’d think I was gone for months rather than a single night. She’s dressed in her pink footie pajamas, and has the teddy bear — officially named Princess Bear — clutched in one of her hands.

“Hey, baby girl,” I say, brushing my hand through her hair. “How was your night with Lilah?”

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