Page 139 of Enchanted Ventures

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

TWO MONTHS LATER

AMANDA

“He’s rolling now, Mom. Look.”

I smile into the camera. “I can see. He’s all over the place. He looks just like you did as a baby. More so every day. I can’t get over it.”

“He’s a little devil.”

“Well then he’sexactlylike you as a baby.”

She laughs. “Come see for yourself. I miss you.”

“I miss you too. I’m sorry. I needed this time to myself, to live in anonymity and think about what I want to do with my life. I have one stop to make this morning and then I’m coming home.”

Her eyes widen. “You are?”

“I am. I’ll be home later today.”

She blows out a breath. “Thank god. Have you, umm…”

“No,I haven’t spoken with him.”

“I don’t know what happened, and obviously I’m team Amanda, but he’s so fucking depressing to be around. He’s like a lost puppy without you. He mopes around the office all day. He stops by my office every morning to ask how you are and to remind me to tell you that he’s sorry and that he loves you.”

“I’ll deal with him when I get home. How is it being back at work?”

“It’s good. Reagan is flexible. My work is computer based so I can run back and forth. I go in for a few hours in the morning and Collin stays home. Then we switch in the afternoon. We know we can’t do that forever, but we’re not ready to leave him with a stranger just yet. Collin’s mom offered. I’m not sure how much Tyson should hang with Collin’s crazy-ass family though. I don’t want Tyson growing up thinking women belong in the kitchen with aprons on. Maybe one day a week with her. Hopefully that won’t damage him too much.”

“I’ll be back and will help. She and I can alternate days. We’ll come up with something that will help you guys.”

“That would be great. Dad has been really helpful. He’s over here all the time. He and Melissa both.”

“He didn’t have that time with you as a baby. I’m happy he’s getting it now.”

“Me too. Oh, and we broke ground on the new house this week.”

“Honey, that’s wonderful. You must be so excited.”

Collin and Jade designed a house together for them to eventually live in. Collin’s company is building it.

“Very excited. And Collin proposed again. It’s getting annoying.”

I let out of laugh. “Yes, it must be tough having anattractive, kind, loving man beg you to marry him every day. The struggle is real.”

She smiles. “I’ll let him know when I’m ready.” She briefly pauses. “Maybe soon.”

I look at her and she bites her lip. That’s about as close to marriage talk as she’s ever gotten.

“Jade, I’m so proud of you. I love you.”

“I love you too. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too. I’ll come by after work hours.”

“See you then.”

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