Page 42 of Finding Forever

Before we could get our answers, the children were squealing uncontrollably. To the point where I hoped my mother hadn’t fallen asleep yet because they’d definitely just broken the sound barrier in our usually quiet house. Penny propelled her tiny self into my arms and I caught her easily, giving her a tight hug.

She pulled back from the hug and gave me the sweetest smile I had ever seen. “I’m happy you’ll be my mommy,” she said elatedly. My body stilled at her words, but I did my best to conceal my reaction. From the corner of my eye, I could see Maverick’s whole face go stoic, then contemplative.

It was more than obvious that he didn’t approve. Thinking on my feet, I tried to come up with a solution to the awkward moment.

“Oh, sweetie, you already have a mommy. And she’ll always be your mommy. The same way Mycah’s dad will always be his dad,” I said, trying to draw a parallel.

Maverick’s body visibly relaxed as I talked Penny through it and a million and one thoughts seized my mind. What if this relationship didn’t work out? Would our kids be irreparably damaged by it? Maybe we should have kept our relationship secret a while longer? Had we rushed into this announcement? Had we set the kids up for future disappointment just because we were happy after a night of sex?

What had we done?

While the children busied themselves with a few games still left out from the previous night, I continue to dwell on the what ifs. Warm fingers wrapped around mine, and Maverick laced his hand in mine.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he said. Again, I was struck by his ability to read my mind without me ever saying a word. He was so in sync with my thoughts. I’d never felt this connected to anyone before.

Maverick didn’t say anything for a while, then he turned to me and confessed, “I was shocked by what she said.” He didn’t name names so as not to draw any attention from the playing children only a few feet from us.

“But the way you handled it couldn’t have been more perfect. Thank you for your tender response,” he said, kissing me.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’d want someone to do the same if it was Mycah. Besides, what I said was true. I’ll never be her mommy. But it doesn’t mean she has to worry when she’s around me. She’s an innocent child. And not only that, she’s an extension ofyou.I’d never treat anyone or anything you care about with anything but kindness.”

I leaned into his waiting lips and kissed him tenderly.

“You’re a special woman, Gina Carter.”

“So I’ve heard,” I told him with a winning smile.

∞∞∞

The outdoor patio space at Tempo was the perfect place for a Saturday night drink. So naturally, I’d said yes when Abby had invited me out at the last minute. We were people watching and enjoying our white wine while the live band softly serenaded us with hits from the ‘90s.

“It’s been too long since we’ve hung out,” I spoke, placing my wine glass down to stare at my best friend.

Abby nodded animatedly, in full agreement. The motion caused her perfectly styled tresses to move in waves at her shoulders. I smiled. Abby was a stunner.

“You’ve been busy, missy,” she accused.

That smile I couldn’t control erupted across my face, making Abby shake her head.

“I barely recognize you. You’re grinning like a Cheshire cat. Are you finally going to tell me more about this man?”

Needing very little encouragement, I started gushing about Maverick. I started with the beach trip and ended with what happened this morning. I’d only told Abby minimal details over the phone up until this point, so she was getting an earful.

When I finished my recap, she shot me a contemplative stare and twisted her mouth up in a way that told me she was about to ask a question, but didn’t want to hurt my feelings.

“He sounds wonderful, Gina. He really does. But are you sure about this? You two are from different worlds.”

It was only something I thought about every other second. It made sense that my best friend would bring it up. I knew she wanted the best for me and that meant asking the uncomfortable questions.

Sighing, I shrugged. “We can never be one hundred percent sure about anything.”

Abby grunted and nodded in agreement. “That’s true.”

“I mean, look how sure I was about Chris at one point and it still went south.”

This time, Abby frowned and reached across the table to cover my hand with hers. “I hate that bastard for what he did to you.”

“It’s a part of life,” I said resolutely. “And in this season of my life, I’m enjoying a really sweet, patient and loving man. That’s all I could ask for at this stage in my life. I don’t know what will come of it, but I know that this thing with Maverick has evolved more naturally than what I’ve had in the past, and I just want to enjoy that. I’m feeling hopeful.”

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