I can feel his mother staring at both of us. It’s more of a glare, but I’m not going to acknowledge her.
I hope that she doesn’t abuse him physically, but in the end she’s not giving him the emotional support that he needs.
“Want to eat lunch with me before I have to leave?” I ask softly so as not to startle him as he reads.
He puts the book down and marks his place with a bookmark. He nods, his eyes lighter than I have seen since I first saw him here.
We walk together to the cafeteria, and I help him get his food. “Want to tell me about your book?”
He takes a bite of his sandwich. “Yes!” He starts off on an animated ramble talking about demigods and a lot of things that I have no clue about.
An hour passes and I have to go. “I have to go, Ronny, but I’ll be back tomorrow. If you ever need me, they have my number at the front desk.”
His beautiful eyes haunt me. I don't want to leave him. I wish I could hug him and take him away from here.
“I understand, Bell, see you tomorrow?” he says sweetly. He hugs the book to his chest like it’s giving him comfort.
He is too precious for this world. I would give anything to adopt him, but he has a mother and I pray that she changes and gives him a life he deserves.
She’s here, so maybe that’s a start?
I turn around, waving as I do so, and walk out the door. I let out a deep breath, rubbing my chest as the ache forms and a million thoughts race through my mind.
I decide in this moment to go to the bookstore and grab the other books to keep in my car so I can have them on hand the second he finishes the others.
If it brings him happiness and some kind of peace, then I want to give him that.
The next day
I can’t wait until I see Ronny. I hide the book in my bag in case he’s finished the one he’s reading.
I sign in when I walk inside. Braelyn followed me here since she works here part time throughout the week.
She walks to her room past the cafeteria and I make my way into the living room.
I spot Ronny right off the bat looking sad as he sits off to the side by himself. He’s still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I make a note to go shopping for him tomorrow before I come back.
His mother is sitting on the couch again, and she looks more pissed off than usual. She gives me a death glare as I walk past.
If she only knew that her glare means absolutely nothing to me. You don't go through what I have and be affected by that.
“Hi, Ronny, how are you today?” I ask and pull out a chair next to him.
He smiles at me. “I’m good! I sat up all night and finished my book. It was so good, Bell. Thank you for getting it for me.” He hugs the book to his chest.
“You’re so welcome, honey. I’m so glad you loved it.” My heart warms at the glow on his face as he looks through the pages of the book he just read.
“Want to eat lunch with me again, Bell?” he asks.
“Of course, you’re my favorite person. I can’t miss lunch with my favorite little man.”
He stands up out of his seat like he’s going to leave, and I start to worry that I said something wrong, but he does the unthinkable.
He hugs me.
He wraps his arms around my neck and hugs me so tight it hurts, but I wouldn’t dare complain.
I hug him back, rubbing his back. He just hugs me and I let him for however long he wants.
He finally sits back down but pulls his seat a little closer. I think that I’ve finally gotten his trust.
He babbles on about his day, how he’s playing with his friends later and that he’s excited for the evening meal.
It comes too quick when I have to leave. Chase’s mother is having a dinner tonight to celebrate Jessica being pregnant.
“I have to go, Ronny, but I’ll be back tomorrow like usual. But I have a surprise for you.”
I reach inside of my bag and pull out the next book. He looks at it in shock and then runs to me, burying his face in my stomach.
“Thank you so much, Bell.” He sniffs and steps back, little tears in his eyes. I reach down and wipe them away. “You’re so welcome, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He hugs both of the books and walks back to his chair.
I watch him for a few minutes before I leave. It’s getting harder and harder to do so. If only his mother knew what an amazing child she has.
3
Bell
We pull up outside of Katherine’s gorgeous house and walk around back to where the party is.
Katherine’s romantic relationship is one that took me a minute to wrap my head around—she’s married to two guys.
I’m surrounded by amazingly beautiful relationships. It gives me such joy to see everyone so happy and to be surrounded by that.
The party is in full swing. I spot Katherine at the food table moving things around. I take off in her direction.
“Hi Katherine, need some help?” I ask her once I reach the table.
She smiles at me and lets out a deep breath. “Yes, I can always use the help.” I get to work helping her prepare the buffet.
“I am so excited for another grandbaby. Now we have three.” She gets a dreamy look on her face. “Life just couldn’t be better.”
I smile back. “You’re exactly right.” The last couple of months have been the best of my life, I just can’t imagine how life could be better.
“What is on your finger?” River asks someone, and I turn around at the same time as Katherine. “WHAT!” we yell at the same time.
I hurry over to Jessica, looking at her hand to confirm.
I am so happy for her, I can’t help but scream a little in excitement and Katherine does the same. I try not to laugh because we’re so similar.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Katherine asks.
“Me being pregnant kind of took over mine and Chase’s brains. We were going to announce it today,” Jessica explains
Chase walks over and takes my daughter’s hand, kissing the back of it. I sigh and look at Katherine, thankful she raised such an amazing son for my daughter.
I take Hunter back from Jessica, smooching him on his chubby cheeks, and he giggles sweetly. Katherine gets that doe-eyed look when she sees him.
Katherine can’t resist another second and takes him from me. I look around to see if I need to do anything when I notice a man staring at me, leaning against the wall.
I turn away immediately, feeling way too hot all of a sudden. First, he is extremely attractive and he looks around my age. He has dark brown hair, beautiful brown eyes that I can still feel on me, and don't forget the beautiful, colorful tattoos.
“Time to eat!” Katherine yells to everyone and hands me Hunter, then I hand him off to Jessica so she can place him in his high chair.
I wait until everyone gets their food before I get mine, sitting next to Jessica in case she needs me with Hunter, but then he sits down next to me.
I’m over-aware of every single movement of his and mine. He takes a long drink of his beer and gently sets it back onto the table, my eyes getting their fill of his tattoos on his arms and hands.
“Maverick,” he says in a deep voice that just glides over me like butter. Goosebumps break out across my skin at the mere sound of him.