I slide off my seat and walk over to Grant, slapping him on the back. He turns around and smiles at me.
“I’m going to take off. Thanks for the invite, though. I had fun.”
“Hey, you’re welcome anytime,” Grant slurs, his breath reeking of alcohol.
“Oh, keep an eye on blondie over there, okay? At least one of your guys is gonna pounce the second I’m out the door,” I chuckle.
By the time I get home, I’m wrecked. I forgo my usual nighttime shower and go straight to bed. My head spins as I climb under the covers. I’m so out of practice when it comes to drinking. In college, I could drink for days with no sleep and still be able to function. Now I’m almost a one-drink wonder. It’s embarrassing, though I’m sure that if Grant has anything to do with it, it won’t be long until I build up my tolerance again.
Chapter Three
Kiara
“Can you believe we made this little creature?”
My eyes flutter open and I smile at Aiden as he holds our little daughter. He looks so perfect with her in his arms, like he was meant to be a father. As exhausted as I am after her eighteen-hour labor, I don’t want to miss anything by sleeping. So, instead, I lay there, watching the two most important people in my life.
“She looks like a Matilda, doesn’t she?” Aiden says, studying her tiny features. “My sweet little Tilly.”
“She looks like you,” I grin.
“Poor little thing,” he jokes as she wraps her tiny hand around his finger. “She has your blue eyes,” he points out.
“Yes, but they’ll probably change,” I grin. “All babies are born with blue eyes.”
“You’re kidding me,” he replies, his eyes narrowing like he’s not sure whether to believe me or not.
“It’s true,” I laugh. “If they’re going to change, it will happen around six weeks.”
“Holy shit,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “There’s so much I don’t know about babies.”
Gasping, I sit up in bed.
My head spins as I glance around. I’m in my bedroom. Alone. All the memories come flooding back as I realize I’ve had another nightmare. My heart racing, I lay back down, the sheets drenched with sweat. I just need a moment to remember how to breathe. I shiver, my skin tingling as I force myself not to break down.
I feel so empty. The nightmares always feel so fucking real. For the briefest moment I step back into the past where everything was perfect and happy. Then as quickly as it comes, it’s torn away from me. It’s as if experiencing it in real life wasn’t enough—I need to torture myself over and over with what I’ve lost.
Forcing the sheets off me, I get up, because I know my one reason for living will be waking up any moment, demanding to be fed and clothed. As I tiptoe past her room I can hear her snoring softly. Stopping, I crack open her door and peer in. She lies on her side, her blonde hair falling over her face, her leg peeking out from under her sheets.
My heart fills with warmth as I sneak away. Whenever I’m down, all I have to do is think about Tilly. It amazes me how such a tiny little person can change your whole perspective on life. She’s what keeps me going.
She’s the only thing that’s kept me going for the last three years.
***
My car hops along the freeway, the stench of burning rubber invading my senses. I slam on the brakes and pull off into the emergency lane. Getting out, I confirm my suspicions: a flat tire. Fucking great. Now I’m definitely going to be late for work. I have a spare in the trunk, but no idea how to change it.
I call roadside assistance and tell them the problem. They promise me a mechanic within the hour, which surprises me, considering it’s a Monday morning. Leaning against the hood of my car, I call work to let them know I’m going to be late. The other receptionist, Zara, answers my call, and happily agrees to pass on the message. I hang up the phone, feeling defeated. No doubt she’s in there groveling for the chance to take over my shifts. I’m going to get fired for sure.
All they need is a reason and I’m out the door. They’ve been riding me extra hard since new management took over, trying to make me break and quit, but I’ve held on. Something like this is exactly the ammunition they need.
Fuck. I kick the wheel and instantly regret it when my big toe begins to ache. If I lose my job I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have savings, and thank God all of Aiden’s medical bills are covered by his insurance payout, but it wouldn’t last long, especially with a little girl to support.
I’m still lost in thought when the mechanic pulls up behind me in his pickup. He climbs out from behind the wheel and gives me a smirk. My face heats because I can’t help but notice how hot he is. As he struts over to me, he pushes his dirty blond hair from in front of his eyes.
“I’m guessing you’re my damsel in distress?” he asks, lifting his eyebrows.
My face heats even more. Just as I’m abo