I’m just going to pretend that this never happened. I never ran into Alec. I never saw how tall he became or how strong. Nope, it was all simply a figment of my imagination, a dream.
Throwing the covers over me, I plug my phone in and close my eyes, begging sleep to pull me under.
The door creaks, waking me from my slumber. Little pitter-patters sound on the hardwood, and the corners of my mouth tip up. A perfect way to start the day.
Jack hops up onto the bed and joins me under the covers. I lift my arm up, and he slides in, cradling his head under my chin. Putting my arm back down, I cocoon us inside the blanket.
Minutes later, sleep drags me under again. And when I wake up, Jack hasn’t moved. He’s still tucked in my arms, sound asleep.
Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.
Oh dammit. I never turned my phone back up last night.
I gently untuck my arm from Jack’s body and reposition his head on the pillow. Reaching for my phone on my nightstand, I can see someone’s trying to call me. But my eyes won’t focus yet—they’re too sleepy.
I pull my phone off my charger. It’s Josh.
“He-hello?” I whisper, my voice scratchy.
Josh laughs on the other end. “Oh my God, are you still sleeping?”
I mentally smack the back of his head. “No. Technically, I’m awake. Jack, however, is sleeping right next to me.”
“Okay, well, Char and I are on our way home with groceries. We picked you guys up breakfast. Figured you might need a little Sunday hangover cure,” Josh says, and I can practically hear the full smile on his lips.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” He’s right; my head is killing me. “What are you guys doing for the day?”
“Not much. Probably just hanging at the house. Is Jack going with you?” he asks.
“I don’t know yet. I thought I’d ask him when he woke up.”
I instinctually glance his way. His chest rises and falls gently, calmly. Nothing compares to the peaceful look on a sleeping child’s face. No worry, no concern, no fear. Innocence. Something I miss dearly.
“All right, I’m going to get him up. See you soon.”
I end the call and place the phone back on the nightstand.
Giggles fall past my lips from the massive yawn coming out of his tiny self. When I roll over, big brown eyes peer back at me.
“Good morning, honey.” I brush the brown hair out of his eyes.
“Morning, Mom.” He yawns again.
“Come on, buddy. Josh and Char are bringing us breakfast.” I run my fingers through his hair. “After we eat, I’m going to visit Grandma. Do you want to come?” I have a hard time meeting his eyes, so I throw the blanket off me and start picking out my outfit for the day from my closet as he ponders his answer.
I hear him land on the floor.
“Yeah, I miss Grandma. I want to tell her about my new toy I got last week. She’s going to like it.”
My gaze locks on to him, and I wonder how in the hell I got lucky enough to be his mom.
“Okay, bud, go pick out some clothes, and I’ll meet you downstairs.” With my outfit in hand, I head into the bathroom.
Jack takes off, almost running out of the room. I’ll never understand kids’ energy. I wish they could bottle it up and sell it, and then I wouldn’t need so much caffeine.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I change into a pair of black jeans with a cream camisole and a pink cardigan.
I step into the hallway. My slippers feel like clouds on the hardwood.
