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her girls Christmas so special and others are for Mason.
After all the wrapping is thrown into the fireplace, Katelyn and I take to the kitchen to prepare
dinner. The kids disperse throughout the house. Elle is with us while Peyton watches TV. The boys
have gone outside to play with their new paintball guns while Liam and Harrison have retired to the
studio to jam. I don t know what that means, but it makes Liam smile.
Once Katelyn and I finish preparing dinner, I cuddle on the couch with Peyton, while she and Elle
snuggle up in the chair by the fire. When Liam comes up an hour later complaining that he and
Harrison are hungry, I offer to make their lunch. He follows me into the kitchen, pulling at my hair.
 What are you doing?
He walks toward me until I m cornered.  I like seeing you comfortable in my house.
 Oh yeah?
 Mhm. We need to go on a date.
 What happened to waiting and being patient? I m losing whatever nerve I ve told myself I need
to keep around him. I want to be with him, but I also understand what he s saying about Nick. It s too
soon, but I know what I want and it s Liam. I wanted him the day he walked into my shop.
I m just scared.
Liam shrugs. He fingers the buttons on my shirt.  I will be patient, but I want to spend a lot of
time with you.
 Okay.
 Yeah? How about New Year s Eve? Just us? he s close enough to kiss. I lean forward only for
his head to turn when the doorbell rings.
 You didn t invite your mom did you?
 No, definitely not. I ll be right back. He kisses me on the cheek, leaving me frustrated and
alone.
 Hey, baby. I freeze when I hear the same voice from the other day. I walk down the hall
quietly.
 Sam, what the 
 Oh my god, I gasp loudly as my hand covers my mouth.
CHAPTER 33
LIAM
This has been the best morning I ve had in a long time, from the moment when Noah and I woke
up Josie with her gift to the unwrapping of mine. I can t wait to spend hours combing through every
photo Josie gave me. Even though I m not in them, having pictures of Noah when he was a baby,
toddler and his first Halloween costume means everything to me.
I know I told Josie I can be patient, but I m not sure I can. Seeing her in my bed, with her long
dark hair spread across the pillow makes me want to claim her as mine. I knew I was a goner when I
walked upstairs complaining about being hungry and she offered to make Harrison and I lunch.
Seeing her move around my kitchen like she owns it makes me want have her here every day, but
I m afraid. She was with Nick for a long time and you just can t turn off your emotions.
I should know.
I tried.
The sound of the doorbell saves me from making an error in judgment. Swinging the door open,
her back is facing me but I d know that head of blonde hair anywhere. She turns and smiles as she
steps in.
 Hey, baby, she coos. I swat at her hand when she tries to touch my face with her fake
fingernails.
She just shrugs and opens her coat; she s clad in a barely-there bra and panties. Her stockings are
held up by garters. At one time I found them sexy, but not so much anymore.
 Sam, what the 
 Oh my god!
I turn at Josie s gasp. The look on her face isn t anger, but hurt. She runs up the stairs, and the
slamming of my bedroom door makes me jump.
 Cover yourself up. There are children in the house.
I walk away from her toward the dining room. I don t want her anywhere near the living room
with Katelyn and the girls. Katelyn comes around the corner and motions that she s going upstairs. I
nod and prepare for what I m about to do.
 Sit down, Sam, we need to talk. And keep yourself covered.
I sit across from her. It s a safe distance so I won t hit her and she won t try and touch me.  I
spoke to Brandon the other day.
 Me too, she says happily.
 This would be the day the mother of my son showed up demanding that I return her son to her.
 I took care of all that, baby.
 Sam, I m not your baby and I m never going to be. What you did was wrong on so many levels.
I never doubted that Noah's mine. I also don t want custody. Josie wasn t some girl I met backstage;
she was my girlfriend. How did you even know about Noah?
She shrugs and starts looking at her fingernail. I know her game, this is the  I have the answer but
I m not giving it game. I slam my hand on the table to get her attention.
 I ve been with your dad s agency since I started and never once have I questioned the integrity
of his firm, but right now your job depends on it. I suggest you answer me.
 I didn t know you wanted him, she mumbles.
 What did you say?
Sam rolls her eyes and sighs heavily. She s acting bored.  Someone claiming to know you called
the agency when you first started. I put the messages in your file.
I bite the inside of my cheek, my hands clenching.  You knew I had a son and didn t tell me?
 My dad said it was bad for your image.
 HE S MY GOD DAMN SON!
I get up and pace, my hands pulling at my hair.  She said she called and left messages. You took
her calls and listened to her beg. Are you that much of a bitch, Sam? That woman calling you was my [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]