Page 105 of Dream Girl
We drove to the lake under the East Bridge. It was filled with fish, paddleboats, and kayaks. It was surrounded by trees and green space, including picnic and play areas. In the summers they had movies, music, and festivals. Nearby were a couple streets of cute restaurants and little shops.
My dad had often taken my sister and me to this lake to fish on Sunday afternoons, and I’d spent a lot of time in this area with my friends.
“This…” She spun around, eyes on the sky, as we got out of the car. “This is our lake.”
“Yes, it is.” I got a jacket out of my truck and tossed it to her. “In case you get cold.”
“Thanks. It smells like you.” She pulled it on as the breeze whipped her hair into her face.
That was the plan. I liked it when she and Evan smelled like me. It settled something primal inside me.But I also loved smelling Evan on her, because that combination of lemons and peaches went straight to my dick.
Also, it seemed like the scent of peach lemonade annoyed Brennan, so I’d bought a bunch of candles and wax melts in that scent and hid them all over the house to be annoying.
“It’s always a little breezy at the lake. Here.” I took the hairband I’d bought her at lunch and put it in her hair so her bangs didn’t whip in her eyes. “Now it won’t get in your face.”
Grace’s face lit up, the tension and worry from the car leaving. “Thank you.” She checked her reflection in the car mirror. “Cute.”
“Yes, you are.” Taking her hand, we went and got our boat. We paddled out onto the lake, waving at the others out on thisvery pleasant March evening. Grace pulled on the jacket and snuggled into me as the sun set. Tiny lights all over the park and the bridge went on.
“This is beautiful.” She leaned her head on my shoulder as we floated across the water.
“It is.” The sky was ablaze with color.
Which probably meant we were due for more snow.
“Did anyone get in trouble today?” She grinned.
Me.For not getting something done that I was supposed to. But I wasn’t going to tell her that. I didn’t want her to feel guilty about my staying home to take care of her. Instead, I told her about my day, and she told me about hers.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I made this for you at the center. Happy Early Birthday.” She took a beaded bracelet and put it around my wrist.
The beads were in my favorite colors and said GE?WL?EW.
“You made this for me?” It looked like something my sister would have made at camp when we were kids. But I loved it.
Grace leaned in and gave me a kiss. Unlike in our dreams, there were people here, and paddle boat sex would be frowned upon. Not to mention the water was icy.We paddled back to the dock and turned in our boat.
She took my hand, swinging it as we walked through the park. “Where to now?”
“Dinner. It’s not fancy, but it’s a place my dad always took Lexi and me, usually on Friday payday. It’s close enough to walk. I… I hope you’ll like it.” I gave her a shy and hopeful smile.
She smiled back. “I’m sure I will.”
We passed a bunch of kids playing in the play area.
“Do you still want kids? It’s okay if you don’t. Just curious.” I pulled her close as she frowned, wanting to reassure her that whatever her wishes were, they were valid.
“All my life I was told that was what was important–a husband and kids. It’s not that I don’t. I do want kids eventually. The thing is, I don’t know how to be a good mom. I don’t want to screw them up.” Anxiousness crossed her face.
“If you’re ever ready, I think you’d make a great mom.” I kissed the anxiousness away. “If that never happens, it’s fine. If it does, that’s great. I’m okay either way.”
Kids would be nice. I had a great dad. But my momleavingand my dad moving us away from our pack to start over, left indelible scars on my soul.
She tipped her head up. “You are?”
“I am.” Though Evanreallywanted kids. Grace and I would have these cute, smart, and artistic kids. Her and Evan? Shit. No one would be able to deny those kids anything.
Jett mentioned liking to have kids in the pack. He’d grown up in a big family. Spencer said he didn’t care either way. Brennan grumbled about kids being messy.
