Page 59 of Owen

“It was a very upsetting day. She made a friend and lost him just as quick.”

“She needs to socialize with other kids.” Jade looks concerned.

“I can take her to the indoor jungle gym on camp.” I saw a big sign for it when I drove past the station facilities the other day.

“You would do that?” she asks gently.

“I would do anything for you two. I’ve learned so much about myself, from her and you. You’ve shown me what it means to be a real, loving, and connected family in a short space of time. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make both of you happy.”

“Michael hasnevertaken Poppy to an indoor playground.” She sounds almost disbelieving.

Michael’s missing out on so much. Poppy is a dazzling little chatterbox who radiates zany happiness everywhere she goes.

“I’ll take her tomorrow.” I’m adamant she’ll have the best day out and meet some other kids.

“You really are quite something, Owen.” She holds her hand out for me to take, and when I do, her touch settles me in thatperfect way that only she seems to be able to do. “I will repay you later. But first, you need a shower.”

She guides me up the stairs and into the bathroom. “Let those bad vibes wash away down the drain.”

Consumed with gratefulness at having this awesome woman in my life, I pull her into my arms and hold her for longer than I mean to.

“Thank you.” I kiss the top of her head. “You don’t know me well, and yet you’re so accepting of me, my crazy parents, and all my flaws.”

“You’re not flawed, Owen. You’re going through a shitty spell in your life. Your past doesn’t define you. Let your future shape you into something new and incredible. And I know you.” Leaning out of our hug, she continues. “My heart knows yours.”

Her heart knows mine.

“Plus”—she breaks her sincere moment—“I’ve worked with Gregor for a while. I know he’s a great guy. You’re just like him. Only stellar. Just don’t tell him I said that.” She bites her bottom lip cheekily.

“You are out of your goddamn mind, woman.” She’s crazy. Gregor is a better man than me by a mile. He has everything: a car, home, a thrilling career.

Although I do have a big dick. It’s the only thing I can offer her in my current situation.

I can’t believe Ihaveandama situation.

“Plus, you’re taking my Poppy to a jungle gym tomorrow. You get extra brownie points for that.”

My Poppy. I would love for my Poppy to beourPoppy.Fuck, since when did I want kids?

The truth is, I can now imagine myself having lots of little red-haired cherubs to chase after.

I want that with Jade.

“I see something in you, Owen. Trust me, you’ll find it too.” She kisses me on the lips, pushing my chest, forcing me into the bathroom. She tells me to hurry and get my ass over to her villa in time for supper because tonight we’re having a Greek meze and I’m helping to prepare the sixteen dishes of food. I hope she realizes I’ve only been cooking for a year and couldn’t even boil an egg before then.

However, I love it when she bosses me about, so I do everything she asks of me, excited to spend the night with my favorite girls.

What I wasn’t prepared for, but welcomed, was what followed.

Because when life gives you lemons? Well, sometimes you just gotta reach for the salt and tequila, throw it back and say,Fuck it, let’s do this shit.

16

OWEN

Screaming and shouting, coming from what sounds like Jade, instantly sends my mind spiraling, and I sprint out of my room at the same time as I haphazardly fumble, doing up the zipper on my shorts.

My world falls away as I find Jade standing at the bottom of the stairs of my villa, covered in blood, frantically bouncing a crying Poppy in her arms.

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