Page 32 of Falling for Her
“She’s going to love you, sweetheart. You have one of the kindest hearts out of anyone I know,” he says, and I smile slightly grabbing Aiden's bag.
“You have to say that, you’re my dad,” I reply, making him grin. Sighing, I admit, “I’m falling for him, Daddy. I stayed at his and did not come home to help with Aiden is proof enough of that, and I’m scared.”
Dad smiles gently as he pushes off the counter and walks my way before wrapping his arms around me. I melt into him, and he rumbles, “Falling in love is normally scary, sweetheart, but it can also be thrilling and exciting, so hold onto those feelings and allow him to be the one for you. Allow him into your heart.”
I nod, lean back, my eyes shining, and ask, “Do you think Mom would approve?”
He grins and admits, “She never did like Cody for you or Mark in that way,” I snort, unsurprised. He continues, “Your mother wanted someone who only saw you, someone who looked at you like you were his world. More importantly, someone you looked at like he was your heaven, and you get that from him, sweetheart so yes she would approve and so do I.”
I sniffle and wipe away the few fallen tears before taking a deep breath and stepping back before confirming, “Okay, I’m ready.”
Dad nods with a grin and asks, “Is Damian meeting you there?”
I nod again pulling the stroller my way and reply, “Yep. Apparently, his friend will be driving herself, and Damian will bring us back here for dinner.”
Dad nods again, kisses my head, and murmurs, “Have fun, sweetheart, and try not to let your brother convince you he deserves another cupcake.”
I chuckle and say over my shoulder, “But he’s too cute to say no to and besides, they’re sugar free,” as I walk out the door, his laughter following me.
“Okay, Aiden, let’s go make some friends,” I mumble then add, “Hopefully,” and walk down the pathway with my heart in my throat as Aiden sings some nursery rhyme he’s learning at daycare.
I chew my bottom lip reaching the play area ten minutes later. My eyes land on Damian's matte black truck, which sits next to another truck like his but in dark red, and my heart rate picks up.
“Okay, my nerves are now hiking up again, Aiden,” I whisper and roam my eyes over the play area.
There are quite a few kids, but it doesn’t take me long to lock eyes on Damian’s form pushing Levi in a swing. I can’t help but melt. Even though several women are staring at him, which I must admit makes my jealousy build—something I’ve never had before—the man is just wow.
He makes it look so easy. He’s wearing jeans, a black T-shirt, biker boots, and hair that is no longer than the top of his shoulders, is up in his normal man bun.
“Dam-Dam,” Aiden squeals, and I look down and smile to see him clapping his little hands, watching my boyfriend while kicking his legs with excitement.
I think I’m no longer his favorite person, yet I can’t complain because he’s definitely becoming mine.
Shaking my head, I look up to see Damian looking my way, his head tilted and a big smile on his face that I can’t help but return as butterflies swim in my stomach.
I see a woman beside him, looking between us with a furrowed brow, and I swallow hard.
She’s gorgeous, of course. Her dark red hair in a messy bun and she’s in jean shorts, and plain T-shirt making me feel better because we’re dressed similarly except I’m wearing a strappy top because of my new tattoo, but it doesn’t stop my nerves.
Taking a deep breath, I push Aiden over to them, only making my little brother squeal louder. I can’t help but grin because as soon as we stop in front of them, Damian bends and unclicks him before throwing him in the air, making him giggle. Then, he puts him on his hip, focuses on me, and I smile as my ovaries pull because damn that is a sight.
“Hey, stranger,” I say, and he replies, “Angel, I think someone’s missed me…”
I roll my eyes and remind him, “You only saw him yesterday, but it’s good to know where his love is.” He shrugs as he rounds the stroller and gently caresses my lips. Of course, I melt because, hello, who wouldn’t before Aiden says, “Levi!” with excitement.
Damian chuckles against my lips and pecks me a few times before looking at the woman and says, “Scar, this is my girl, Esmerelda,” the woman’s green eyes, like Levi’s, widen in shock, but he ignores her reaction and looks at me, “Scarlett is my best friend Ace’s wife,” the woman sucks in a breath confusing me but again, Damian ignores her and says, “I’m just going to put Aiden in a swing, Hannah is with her Grams.”
I pout at the thought of Hannah not being here but nod, and he looks at me momentarily, his eyes racing between mine. I give him a soft look so he knows I’ll be okay before he looks at Scarlett and whatever look he gives her, she swallows but nods before moving to the swing.
“How uh, old is he?” the woman Scarlett asks, and without taking my eyes off Damian putting Aiden into a swing, I smile and reply, “He’s three.”
She hums, “The same as Levi.”
I nod and admit, “Yeah, when they met last month, Aiden was instantly attached to him, it was cute.”
Scarlett hums again, and I can’t help but notice her standoffish attitude, but I try to ignore it. I get it. She thinks Aiden is mine, and I’m dating her friend, but even if he was, it wouldn’t matter, and she shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Which is what she is doing, it’s what everyone does.
“Is uh his dad still involved?” she asks not so subtly, and I can’t help but laugh, gaining Damian’s attention as he pushes Aiden.
