Page 84 of Destined Lovers

“Yeah, that’s about enough of that. Beat it, arsehole.”

“Wills,” Sadie hisses and turns to the bloke who is wide-eyed and stuck in place.

“Sorry about that. He has a disorder where he can’t control his rude mouth. Thank you for the fork.” Sadie smiles, and I think the lad may piss himself but runs away before Wills can kill him.

She hits Wills. “You’re a maniac. He was a teenager, for god’s sake.”

Wills shrugs, unimpressed. Nothing will ever change with him. He sees nothing wrong with his overbearing ways. It’s just who he is.

“What are you guys talking about? How he’s a grumpy fuck?”

“William Taylor!” Sadie chastises

“I mean… it’s true.”

“I’m right here.”

“Yeah, but you don’t talk to anyone but my fiancée, so I’m not even going to address the issue with you.”

Sadie kicks him and tells him to drop it, which he does when he gets distracted by the new pup.

“So what’s this cute little bugger’s name?” Wills asks, picking up the pup from his carrier.

“Mummy, can I name the pup?”

Sadie’s eyes narrow. “Why did you just say mommy like that?”

“Because I’m British now. Daddy said I am.”

“Charlotte Rose, where were you born?”

“New York City!” She yells and pumps her tiny hand in the air.

“That makes you American, not British. And in America, we saymommy, not mummy.”

“Leave her alone. She can say it anyway she likes.” Wills leans over and kisses her on the forehead. “Unfortunately, princess, the new puppy is Maeve’s, she gets to pick the name.”

“Oh,” she whispers, and her little lip quivers in disappointment.

“You already have a dog,” he reminds her.

“But you name him, Daddy,” her doe eyes stare up, and Wills and I have to look away because I’m just as bad at giving into her as he is.

“She can,” Maeve says, smiling at Charlie.

“Mo dheirfiúr, you can name him. She’ll forget about it by tomorrow,” I tell her, and she shakes her head no.

“I want Charlie.” She reaches out her hand, and Charlie walks over, interlocking their fingers, almost bringing tears to my eyes.

What difference just a couple of months have made for Maeve.

“Are you sure, Maeve? It’s okay to say no.” Sadie reminds her, and Maeve nods her head, still smiling at Charlie.

“Otay!” Charlie exclaims. “How about….” She crinkles her face, thinking really hard.

“Ummm…” She looks around and then back at the table.

“Bacon!” She picks a piece off her plate and holds it high.

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