Page 11 of Jack

My phone beeps from its place on the table; sighing, I walk over to it, dreading that it could be my mother. It has been two weeks since I received the invitation to my cousin and ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

The man I was supposed to marry, who I caught having sex with my cousin, is demanding that I attend their wedding so it looks good for the family that I am letting sleeping dogs lie.

Whereas, in actual fact, I would love to smother them in honey, and bury them up to their heads in a field, then let loose millions of fire ants.

Just saying.

Picking up my phone, I can’t stop the smile from slipping across my face when I see it is a picture of Archer, my cousin Tree’s new baby boy, with her husband Royal.

Oh, their path to love will make an amazing story to tell their kids and grandkids. I was unfortunate enough to miss that weekend in Las Vegas, but it ended up with everyone getting drunk, and then weeks later, Royal found out that he and Tree had actually gotten married while there. He persuaded her and won her heart, not that he gave her a choice, but then again, I think that all of the Rugged Skulls members are like that.

My cousin Kady has just fallen for her man, Calder, winning her over with their son, Kane.

Seeing my cousins find their love, their hearts, helps me think that I will get that one day. I am a hopeless romantic at heart, but I am also not naïve in thinking that men do not break women’s hearts, just like my ex.

Tree: Archer wants to say ‘hi,’

I quickly type out a reply.

Me: Hi, Archer. Auntie Lil will be there soon for snuggles.

Tree: We will be home all day, if you want to come around today.

I look to the table, where my laptop and design sketch pad are, and decide that I could do with a break, and what better way to take a break than with baby snuggles.

Me: Let me finish what I need to do and I will be there.

Tree: See you soon. X

Placing my phone down on the counter, I take a drink from my bottle of water. A break will do my mind some good— it will help clear everything out before I get into the next few clients’ designs that I need to prep before the weekend.

The build-up to summer is the best time for me and my business.Wicked Sugartakes up a lot of my time, but I also love doing the custom cakes and sugar fun too. With local kids needing to save money before they go off to college, I now have three people working for me, alongside Kristine, a lady who is older than me and who loves baking as much as I do.

I also trust her to follow my recipes; when I need to work on a wedding or birthday cake, she can bake what we need for the store. She is also being trained by me to handle hot sugar and learn how to make sugar designs that will also help me out in the long run, but ultimately, I do all the sugar work, as it is my baby.

Collecting my sketch pad and colored pencils, I’m looking forward to spending some time with Archer. It is crazy how much he changes daily. Thinking of this new baby who was brought into a world that is filled with love, support, and loyalty, I know that he will have an amazing life growing up.

I want to bring a child into the world who is surrounded by love and sweetness. I want a man who will see me and only me. Is that too much to ask for?

I know that not all men are perfect, but I do believe that everyone has someone out there for them. Fate or soulmates, I believe in all of that, my heart knows that there is someone for me.

An image of Jack flashes through my mind and my breath catches.

Closing my eyes, I hold onto the image, seeing Jack smiling at me, with Dom smiling, running around the garden, being chased by a little boy who looks just like him.

With what Jack said to me when I saw him at the garage, it makes my heart hopeful that something more will happen, but I also know that he is a desired man, he has the single dad thing going for him, and he can have any woman he wants.

I am simply me.

Men do not notice me.

I am taller than the average woman: long legs, and long torso, but Jack still towers over me.

My long red hair hangs in natural waves down my back, something my mom always hated, as she and my sister are blonde. I have boobs that in my opinion are too big for my body, but I have seen Jack looking at them a time or two, so maybe he likes them.

My eyes are a mixture of pale blue and green, it shows the Irish blood that runs through my veins. Something from my father’s side.

I may not be what my mother ever wanted, and believe me, she told me often enough that I was my father’s child, not hers.

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