Page 79 of Always You
“Happy birthday, baby, the big five today.” I squeeze my baby boy tightly.
“Mom, you’re squashing me.” He frowns, his gaze roaming around to make sure no one is looking at him. We just arrived at Chuckie’s Adventure.
Dominic is on his way with Dante’s Spiderman cake.
“Mom, is Daddy almost here?” he whines.
“Yes, he should be getting here any minute. Oh, look Auntie Sophie just got here.”
He sprints into Sophie’s arms and she lays a wet kiss on his cheek and he quickly wipes. “Hi, Auntie Sophie.”
“Hey, birthday boy, wow you’re so big now you look taller and omg, did you get muscles.”
He flexes his arms checking his muscles. “I eat vegetables now.”
Dominic has been getting him to eat his vegetables; surprisingly, he does.
Dominic, Santiago, Mark, and Liam all stroll in together, making heads turn. Hell, they look sinfully attractive, resembling sexy firemen in one of those calendars. My man, of course, is the hottest of the group. His beautiful brown eyes meet mine as he walks toward me. A curl of his lips smiles. Lust-filled eyes. Scrutinizing as I rake him, drinking him in. Dominic’s wearing snug denim jeans that hug his muscular thighs and a V-neck shirt that grips his biceps. He skims a kiss on my cheek, God, he smells so good. So, masculine.
“Hi, beautiful, how’s my girl doing?”
A flutter of arousal rockets to my core. I glide my palms up and down his tight abs.God, Mila, not now it’s a kid’s party.
“I’m excellent, baby. I’ve missed you,” I pout.
“I’ve missed you too, Angel. I’m sorry works been insane.” His smile is distraught.
My thumb brushes along the edge of his jaw, his stubbles prickling my thumb. He’s so handsome. The palm of his hand sweeps my back.
“Where did the Birthday boy go?”
“He’s in the jungle gym with a couple of friends from school.” He wraps his finger in my hair.
“Be back, Angel, let me go find my boy.” He swaggers off, looking sexy.
I notice other women gazing at him. He pays no attention.
I envelop Santiago, Mark, and Liam in a tight hug. I introduce Santiago and Mark to Sophie. Not shocked when Santiago attempts to flirt, his characteristic move. He has a charming grin plastered on his handsome face.
“Nice to meet you, Sophie.” He drops a kiss on her cheek. Startling me. Whoa wasn’t expecting him to go that far. Liam bumps Santiago out of the way, seething a death glare toward Santiago. Santiago breaks into a roaring laugh. Aha, so Santiago must know Liam has a spark of interest in Sophie.
“Hi gorgeous, nice to see you again.”
Rolling my eyes, I maneuver away from them, looking for my two favorite guys. I find them playing arcade games. Dante’s plastered in a racing car seat griping a hold onto a stirring wheel. Dominic stands next to him, watching him play. I sneak up behind him wrapping my arms around his waist, inhaling the smell of his cologne. He tips his head back, and winks. He runs his thumb along my fingers.
“Our boy is going to be a natural badass street racer.” He laughs, staring pridefully at Dante with a sparkle in his eyes.
Dante holds a tight grip on the steering wheel he seems to be in a daze. He has not blinked once, he’s so engaged in the game.
Getting on my tiptoes, I place a kiss on the nap his neck. “I want him to be just like you.” It’s true I want him to like Dominic. He’s a good man and a good father.
He turns to face me. “Angel, I want him to be just like you. You’re the most amazing person I know.”
I gather the kids around the table for cake. I snap pictures of Dominic and Dante. Times like this feel unreal to have Dominic. I cried when Dante had his first birthday. I wanted Dominic to be with us. “I’ll take the pictures. Go stand next to them,” Sophie says. “Thank You.”
We sing “Happy Birthday” while gathered around the table. My favorite people are all here together, and I’m in awe of it. Dominic’s brothers excitedly celebrating the birthday of their nephew. I long for the presence of my parents, who I miss. With Dante, they would have been in love.
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