Page 79 of Twenty Years Later

"That would be nice."

Audrey barged in. "I'm hungry!"

We chatted a few more minutes, and I thanked him profusely before we gave out virtual hugs and said our goodbyes. As I made Audrey a snack, I had that feeling again of hope, a simple four-letter word that could make a life completely turn around.

And I was incredibly grateful to Blake's dad because he had helped me think differently about the whole thing and, in his own way, reminded me to focus on my late husband's heart and all our years together instead of that crazy promise made in the last seconds of his life. In just that short conversation, he had completely changed my outlook about my future.

In the afternoon, I dropped Audrey off for a play date at her friend's house, and I actually had the urge to write. Shutting out the messy, dirty house, I closed the door to my office. I was finallyfeelingit, and I spent hours typing away in another world, music blasting, the rest of my life falling away.

And that night, talking to Alex, he told me he had some kind of surprise planned and he hoped I'd be around tomorrow afternoon for a special delivery he'd arranged. I had no clue what he had in store for me, but I couldn't wait to find out.

***

The next morning, Audrey was super annoyed that we had to wait so long to get to preschool time. And actually, I was right there with her. The afternoon seemed so far away. I was beyond excited and impatient to find out about Alex's surprise.

Would it be flowers? Cupcakes? Or maybe something Ireallywanted—a cleaning service? My mind was whirling with all the possibilities. Even Kaileen had a few guesses of her own. She thought it had something to do with the baby, like a new crib or rocking chair.

Finally, preschool time arrived, and Audrey practically ran the four blocks to school with me trying to keep up with her. But her teacher was late, a first. She texted one of the moms saying she had car trouble and would be there shortly. I tried not to fidget too much as we all waited.

Then when she did arrive, another mom tried to talk my ear off after we said goodbye to the kids.This is not a good time, I wanted to shout.Could I please get home already?

I had no idea when exactly the big surprise would arrive, but I didn't want to miss it, and curiosity thrummed throughout my whole body along with anticipation.

Managing to finally escape the chatty mommy, I walked home almost as quickly as our trot to school had been earlier. When I rounded the corner of my street, my eyes immediately looked to my doorstep to see if anything had arrived. I stopped in my tracks, my jaw dropping in shock at what I saw.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Alex

I would have sat down on Jayda's front step, but I didn't want my ass to freeze any more than it already had. As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't figure out where she was. I had tried to time it so I'd get here right after she took Audrey to preschool. And she had said she'd be home all afternoon.

Man, I couldn't wait to see her face, see her reaction. I had moved heaven and earth to arrange this visit. But after the craziness we'd both just experienced with me losing my phone, I was desperate to get back to her.

Part of me wondered if she was inside, maybe upstairs taking a nap or a shower. Maybe my brilliant plan to surprise her hadn't been so brilliant after all.

As I leaned against the railing, I heard a noise on the nearby corner, and that's when I saw her. A jolt went through my body, and the look on her face made it all worthwhile. I had completely shocked her judging by how her jaw practically hit the sidewalk.

As I rushed down the front walkway, she met me halfway. I wanted to pick her up and twirl her around, but I remembered what had happened the last time I'd tried that.

Instead, I crushed her to me, pulling her in as close as humanly possible, lifting her up high in the air. And suddenly, the cold left my body to be replaced by a fire raging through me. I had never wanted anyone more than this woman right here in my arms.

She pulled back to look up at me, wearing that damn hat. Jayda opened her mouth to say something, but I didn't let her. Crashing my lips down on hers, I kissed the hell out of her until we were both breathless.

Without a word, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the front of the house where she fumbled with the key. She led me inside, slammed the door, and attacked me. Where was the shy girl from high school?She was gone, and I loved every second of it.

Within a heartbeat, she had my coat and shirt off, her cool lips on my hot skin making me gasp with want. Good God, I was close to exploding just from her reaction, not to mention her kisses that were sending a fever through my veins.

I tried to keep up with her, practically ripping her clothes from her body. And when her shirt came off, I came completely undone at the sight in front of me as she nearly busted out of her bra.

"I keep meaning to get some new bras," she murmured as she returned to kissing her way up my chest, her moans against my body fanning the flames inside me.

I couldn't even say anything as I fumbled with the clasp, my fingers clumsy like a teenager unhooking his first bra. But finally, I ripped it off. And oh, God...

Damn, I needed to do something to slow myself down. Miami Marlins lineup. Now.

Alberto Garcia.

She reached up to take her sexy hat off. "Leave the hat on," I said, my voice coming out rough. Jayda laughed, making those fantastic breasts bounce.

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