Page 42 of Headed for Home

Drake clutches the area over his heart. “Is this what it feels like when dreams come true? I can’t believe your mom is my girlfriend and she has the best kids in the whole wide universe.”

A protest tickles my tongue but I let the label stick. Just for today. My children flock to him as if he’s been their favorite person forever. They’re totally smitten, not that I blame them. The warmth in my belly spreads until I’m sweating.

Another generous wad of cash is added to the lady’s money jar before we return to the crowded street. A glance at Drake standing tall and proud folds me in half. I’m unable to contain my glee as it quakes my entire body.

“What’s so funny?”

“She turned you into My Little Pony,” I laugh.

“Pinkie Pie,” Kenzie corrects.

He neighs and stomps the ground. “Your mighty steed has arrived. Wanna ride?”

Lust replaces amusement in a fiery wave. “Yes, please.”

“This is doing it for you?” He points to the paint job that’s turned him into single mom clit bait.

“Big time.” I fan myself.

But I can be patient unlike my kiddos. The twins swarm him, tugging from both sides. It’s no surprise they begin arguing about who goes first.

“Hey, hey,” Drake shushes. “Guess what? I have two legs. You can ride at the same time. Hop on!”

Kenzie dances on her toes. “We totally get to be part of the happily ever after.”

“Yessssss! This is the best day everrrrr,” Charlie hollers.

They squeal and attach themselves to him. Their little arms hold tight as they balance on his feet. Shrill giggles spill from them, rising above the festival noise. Drake whinnies again and begins walking forward in exaggerated strides. People turn and gawk. He waves at the admirers shamelessly. I follow behind, almost tripping head over heels from the view.

Drake glances at me from over his shoulder. “Hey, beauty?”

My leisurely stroll speeds to a trot so he doesn’t have to shout. “What’s up, trouble?”

“I know you’re busy and we’re taking things slow”—he chuckles when I falter at that second point—“but there’s a surprise party for one of my best friends and his fiancée next weekend. Will you be my date? If that’s not convincing enough, the Roosters crew demands a proper introduction.”

My lashes flutter at the whole package beside me. It’s impossible to deny him while decked out as Pinkie Pie. “I’d agree to just about anything right now.”

“Probably shouldn’t have told me that.”

“Don’t push it. There are limits,” I tease.

Drake swoops slightly while maintaining his choppy gait. “I look forward to discovering them.”

“And why’s that?”

“I’m going to swing for your fences and head straight for home.”

“Well, well, well,” I drawl and straighten off the building that had been propping me up. “Sure is fancy bumping into you on Main Street again. How many Saturdays in a row does this make?”

Cassidy laughs, her eyes rolling skyward as she steps down from her truck. “As if you’re not counting.”

“Humor me.”

Four fingers wiggle at me. “Are we celebrating? Other than this secretive party that starts at noon.”

“We have time to honor our anniversary first.”

I admire the view as she struts toward me. Another pair of heavily tooled cowboy boots cushion her feet, but those barely earn a passing glance. It’s the one-piece denim contraption barely concealing her curves that has my dick twitching. The snug material is a combo of shorts and a sleeveless shirt. My mouth goes dry as I continue to gawk. Frayed bottoms end just below her ass and the buttons down the front don’t startuntil well beyond her cleavage. That plunging neckline strikes a match to my insatiable hunger. I bite my fist and growl.

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