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“I am glad that they have that,” I reply quietly, because Aria and I did not have that kind of loving support from our parents.

“We do not know each other well, but I would like to change that, Madalyn. My kids think the world of you, and so does my ex-husband. So it would be good if we got to know each other, maybe a coffee date, or maybe, even dump the kids with the men and we can go for a cocktail or twenty. What do you say?” she says, winking.

My body feels lighter hearing her say that she wants to spend time with me. I mean, why wouldn’t she? If things work out with Kohen and me, then I will be around her children and she will want to get to know me more, to see if I am good enough.

Sitting forward, I grin. “I would like that.”

“I know that Kohen being in the club can be difficult. Hell, we have had many times when he has had to bring the kids back to me because of club business but that is just the way it goes with the club. Kohen is a great father and I will never stop him from seeing his children. He would die before he let them get hurt.”

“I can see that about him. Seeing him with them shows that he loves them so much.”

“He does.” She looks at me for a second, before speaking again. “Peter is a big part of their lives, right now, and I would hope that if, and I mean if, at any point you and Kohen do not work out, I would like to think that you would not stop my kids from spending time with him. They would be heartbroken.”

My heart stutters in my chest, not only at her saying that the kids would be heartbroken if they could not see Grandpa Pete again, but also at the idea that me and Kohen will not work out.

“I really like Kohen and I want this to go somewhere between us. If we do not work out, I promise you that I would never stop between the twins relationship with my grandfather.”

Her shoulders sag a fraction, and she grins.

“Then it is settled. We will get a drink and gossip about men, and maybe get our nails done. It has been a while since I have done any girly things.” She hands me her phone. “Add in your number and we will set it up.”

I do as she says, then send a text to my phone so I have her number too.

We get to our feet and I walk her to the door.

“it was nice having this face to face, Madalyn, I know we will be good friends. Hell, we have to since you are fucking my ex-husband.” She winks.

I gasp, my eyes widening in shock at her words, which makes her laugh loudly. Tears fill her eyes, and I relax seeing that it was in good humor.

“Your face. A freaking picture.” She swipes her finger under her eyes, drying the skin. “You will have to get used to this banter, sweets, because we are always like this, my husband included. Both men are like frat boys when they start drinking and sex gets brought up.”

I blow out a breath, smiling. “I will try. I am not used to such an open friendship, it has always been Darian in my life besides my sister and grandfather and we banter so I know what to expect to a degree.”

Ruth pulls me in for a hug and I hug her back, feeling comfortable enough to do so.

This is my boyfriend’s ex-wife and I need to feel relaxed and open around her, or things will get messy and I do not want that for me, or Kohen, or even the twins.

“I will send a text soon, okay? Bye.”

“Bye.”

I watch her climb into a white SUV, waving at me as she pulls away. A grateful sigh leaves my body as thoughts of Kohen being done with me fade away. My mind always runs away with me and I need to get a handle on that, before it causes something big to happen that I cannot fix.

Closing the door, I walk back toward the kitchen to eat my food, before my next client comes in to discuss her wedding. I love weddings; they make me so happy and filled with hope of having something the bride and groom have.

But oh, I have so many disastrous wedding stories I could write a book about them.

Putting the plastic Tupperware box into the microwave I heat it up, finding a cold drink to go with it.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as an unexpected chill runs down my spine. My stomach fills with dread, my skin becoming alert to the fear that runs through me.

A bang sounds out front, and I spin around to see what caused it. Gripping my phone in my hand, I ready myself to call 911, or Kohen.

Fear is an emotion that cannot be controlled; it can happen when you least expect it. Everyone fears something.

When I hear nothing else, I shake off the uneasy feeling but keep my phone in hand. Deciding to go and check out what the bang was, going against all the screaming in my head not to, I inch closer to the door, and peek out.

I would be the one to die first in a horror movie because curiosity would get the better of me.

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