Page 26 of Billionaire's Fake Wife: A Single Mom BWWM Romance

So far, all the other participants haven't been able to hit all ten ducks. And based on my observation, it's because they can't beat the last duck. Because the previous duck is being used as a hostage, or rather a human is covering the last duck.

The carney smiles at me with his crooked teeth and in his overalls, taunting me to try and conquer the game. But I am not the focus here.

Lauralee is, as she happily shoots the ducks on the conveyor. But try as she might, she just could never hit that darned duck who's hiding behind a man.

To my surprise, she casually walks up to the carney and asks for tips on how to hit all of the ducks. But the carney merely laughs and takes her gun, asking her for more money if she wants to try again.

That's it.

I approach the bullying carney and grab the rifle, I place a hundred dollars in front of him, and I tell him to start the game. I hit all seven ducks magnificently, and for the eighth duck, I managed to hit a duck behind it and make the rubber bullet bounce back to hit the final duck.

The carney can't believe what he's seeing. Lauralee erupts in joy as I hold her up on the prize stand and help her pick out the teddy bear. As Sonya finally catches up to us, the carney is still frozen solid, looking at the no-longer moving conveyor belt. That should teach him to bully kids next time.

As I sit on the car, waiting for Sonya and Lauralee to get settled in, I can't help but wonder. What is this light feeling in my heart right now?

I may not have the answer now; all I know is, I want to be is with my two girls tonight.

Thirteen

Sonya

"Come on inside," I say back to Grant, who's strangely standing on our open front door. "Quit staring, and come inside, vampire. I already invited you in."

Grant laughs it off before finally stepping through the threshold. It's a wonder how he still looks as handsome as he was before our little playdate. And those eyes…

"Well, well, well, look who's staring now?" Grant comments, his devilish grin slightly reveals itself, sending my heart into places I can only dream about.

"Oh, stop sneering!" I yell, trying to hide my face. I can't let him see me smile. It's annoying how he can quickly turn me into jelly.

Among other things.

"Mommy! Teddy wants a cookie!" Lauralee comes running in from the kitchen, her teddy bear on the one hand, and her smartphone on the other.

"Laura, what did we talk about eating at bedtime?" I firmly asked her.

Lauralee pouts as she hands her smartphone over to me. "Eat beats sleep."

"That's right, baby girl," I say as I put her phone in my pocket before picking her up. "Oof! Looks like someone ate one too many cotton candy today, huh?"

Lauralee giggles, "Yum! Teddy liked it too!"

She hugs Teddy before wrapping her arm around my neck, her face nestled softly on my neck.

Grant whispers behind me, "Looks like someone finally got sleepy after having Uncle Grant chase her around for almost thirty minutes."

"Stop it!" I whisper back, smiling. "It's a miracle she's even sleepy this early. Take Teddy before she drops it on the floor."

We carefully tiptoe through my modest apartment and into Lauralee's room, with Grant and Teddy trailing not that far behind. Lauralee looks peaceful as I lay her down on her bed, and Grant places Teddy right beside her. She instinctively hugs her furry friend the moment Teddy is on her arms. There couldn't be a sweeter sight in my lifetime.

"Awww," Grant whispers behind me. "They're perfect for each other."

"Shhh!" I reply, pushing Grant out of Lauralee's room. He's a lot lighter as I thought as I push him out of the room.

"Alright, alright!" complains Grant as he walks down the hallway and heads for the door.

I don't know why, but my heart suddenly cramps up, seeing him go. Without even thinking, I ask, "Want a nightcap before you go?"

Grant looks at me like a cat finding a mouse playing with its tail before smiling, "Sure, I'd love to."

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