Page 68 of Loved By You

“Is your crazy friend from ballet coming? I might have to decline the offer for my safety if she is.” He shivers, clearly relieving the ballet class in his head.

“She is, but I’ll protect you, action man, don't worry,” I promise. “So, would you like to come?”

“Of course I’ll be there.”

And just like that, I think I fall for Jack just a little bit more.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ria

“Left a bit… no, right… no, a bit higher,” I shout at Ali and Gabby, who are standing on my kitchen bar stools, trying to hang the bunting on the fence in the backyard.

“Girl, I love you, but I am this close to choking you out with this damn bunting,” Ali grumbles.

“Sorry, sorry, I just need it to be perfect,” I sigh.

“Aaannd, it’s perfect,” Gabby announces as she climbs off the stool.

It’s not, but I can’t make them do it again.

Ali appears next to me. “Ri, it’s perfect. You've done an amazing job.”

I look around the backyard and it does look pretty good. I’ve set up a blanket area for the babies, hired a bouncy house, and made a table where the kids can do some crafts. This party is myfirst big celebration as a single mom. I just want it to be perfect for her.

“Thanks, I just feel on edge. Jack’s coming and so are Alex’s parents and God only knows if my mom will show and I don't know if I made enough food and what if the bouncy house deflates with the kids in it and what if someone gets sick? Maybe I should have done a gluten-free cakes, and wha—”

“Ri, you're spiraling, honey. Take a breath.” Ali mimes a deep breath in and out, waiting until I do the same.

“The bouncy house will be fine, we have enough food to feed a small army, and thank fuck you didn’t get a gluten-free cakes, because those things taste like shit.”

I nod because I know she’s right.

“I know you're nervous, but the party will be great. We've got you, girl.”

I give her a small smile, grateful for my girls.

We finished setting up the backyard. Thankfully, the summer doesn't seem to have left the outskirts of New York just yet. Everything is pink and Minnie Mouse themed. I know Elle won’t remember this, but I will, and I just want it to be a day filled with love.

The sound of tires crunching tell me that a car is pulling up on my driveway and Nugget starts barking. I wince, knowing Elle is taking her nap and I’m not ready for her to wake just yet.

“Jaaaaccckkk,” Lexi squeal from inside the house. I head back indoors, breaking into a slight jog to open the front door, but Lexi is beating me to it.

She’s dressed in a pink and white Minnie Mouse dress with matching ears and pink, glittery heels. Before I can stop her and grab Nugget, she flings the door open and runs down the porch steps towards Jack’s car.

Jack, Harry and Brad exit his black Audi, and holy shit… they are a sea of muscles, Ray-Ban sunglasses, and t-shirts that hugin all the right places and I think I may have to physically lift my jaw off the floor.

Lexi launches herself at Jack and he picks her up, his bicep muscles flexing as he swings her round, throwing her up into the air, catching her so effortlessly. Her giggles and squeals fill the air, and he brings her in for a hug and my heart flutters.

“Hello, princess. Are you excited for the party?”

“Uh huh. Did you bring me a present?”

“Of course I did,” he says as he rubs his nose against hers. If I wasn't already melting into a puddle, that right there did it.

Brad and Harry say hi to Lexi as Jack sets her on her feet and heads to the trunk of the car, taking out a big pink gift bag. Her big blue eyes go wide with excitement. He bends down, and she takes the bag, leaning in and kissing him on his cheek.

My heart is now ready to burst. I can tell how much that meant to Jack by the big smile on his face and the way he’s looking at her. She turns, clutching her bag with her little hands, running back towards the house as Jack reaches back into the trunk of the car pulling out a large box.

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