You & Me

Chapter 3

Beckett was a blessing to the family. For only three years old, he was a smart little boy. Him and Everleigh had hit it off from the start, and we’re almost inseparable, which only fueled Luca and Xavier's belief that they are meant to be. Now that Beckett was settled in, I kept an eye on him while the men went back to work. 

Luca and Xavier both worked at the same company for their friend. That’s how they met each other it was love at first sight. I won't admit it, but I was jealous of their love for each other. I wanted someone to love me and for me love them back the way the two of them love each other. 

In just a few short weeks, was their Halloween party, and I needed to decide quickly what mine and Everleigh's costumes were going to be. Our two choices were either scarecrows or skeletons. I think Everleigh liked the skeletons more because of the face paint I showed her. For a three-year-old, nothing scared her at this point.  Instead of the traditional black and white, I wanted to do rainbow colors. 

This was our first year being able to make it to Xavier and Luca's party. Every other year we were busy.        

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Today was the party, and Everleigh could not sit still at all. She was so excited to go to her first Halloween party. 

When it was time to get ready, I put my costume on and then makeup on. I knew if I did hers first, she would have it smeared by the time we left. 

Our outfits were all black rompers with Skeleton bones on them. Where hers was short sleeve, mine was a halter top style. Then for makeup, I did a section of my face normal makeup with the other half torn to look like a skull. For Everleigh, I made her face white and black, then outlined the black with neon colors.

Once we were finished getting ready, it was about to be 6 o’clock, and the party would be starting. Luckily for us, we just had to walk next door.

Walking into Xavier and Luca's house was like walking into a Halloween store. The inside was decorated from top to bottom throughout the rooms, as well as the outside. I was surprised they had time to decorate all of this between being at my house or working.

Making our way into the kitchen, I noticed all three of them dressed as pirates. Everleigh was the first to greet them, running up and hugging Xavier and Luca, then making her way over to Beckett, who was snacking on some food. 

“Argh, mateys.” Both men just looked at me like I was stupid. 

“What? Your pirates.” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

“Yes, but you're not. Only pirates talk like that, sweetie.” Luca said.

“ Fine, but I could be the skeleton of a pirate.” With that, I stuck my tongue out at him and made my way over to the food, sneaking in a bite.

“Okay, fair enough, I guess. By the way, you look hot, and we have a single friend in mind for you.”

I wasn’t against dating, but after having Everleigh, I never looked for dates. Some men have asked me, but I wasn’t ready. Plus, they looked like the type of guys who only want one thing, and I refused to be that type of girl. 

“Thanks, but no thanks. You know Everleigh comes first.”

“Yes, but we know him personally. He honestly wouldn’t mind you having a kid.”

“Okay, enough about my dating life. What do you still need to do that I can help.”

“ Start setting the food up on that table over there, please.”

With that, I started moving the food to the table as instructed. People slowly started showing up, mostly my family and theirs. 

My mom and Xavier’s mom, as well as Luca’s mom, said they would watch the kids so we could mingle with everyone. I didn’t mind, I could always use some more mom friends. 

I decided to take a break with mingling and headed to the kitchen to grab a drink. On my way there, I bumped into someone dressed in jeans with a tight white t-shirt that had fake blood on it. His shirt allowed him to show off the sleeve of tattoos he had on both arms. Where his face was half normal and half skull-like, but he looked familiar.  

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“We really need to stop meeting like this. I believe this makes twice now with you running into me.”

I stood there trying to recall what he was talking about, but one look into his grey eyes, I knew exactly who he was.

“I really am sorry. For both times.”

“No, it’s okay. Where’s the little girl you were with at?”

“You mean my daughter? My mother has her somewhere around here.”

“How do you know Xavier and Luca?”

“They're my best friends and also my neighbor. What about you?”

“I’m actually their boss and also  their best friend.”

I had to laugh. “Are bosses allowed to be best friends with their employees?”

He laughed as well, and it was a beautiful sound. “Well, I was their friend before their boss, and we keep things professional at the office. I try not to play favorites when it comes to working.”

“Well, that’s good then. I’m Nova, by the way.”  

“I’m Declan. You know they always talk about you and your daughter. Mostly how your daughter is the one they want Beckett to marry.” 

“That doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the two love birds watching me and Declan. When I happened to look over at them, they grinned and gave me a thumbs up. Is he the one they want to hook me up with? He is a good looking guy, but I wasn't sure.

“Them two are always up to something.”

Turning my attention back to Declan, I had to agree with him.

“Yes, and you never know until it happens.” 

"Not to weird you out or anything, but do you mind if I hang around you? It's just, I don't want to be bothered, by the hungry-looking women."

For some reason, that had me laughing hard. When I looked up at him, he was smiling at me, and it made me blush.

"I don't mind at all, but I don't think it will stop some of these women. Do they work at the office?"

"Some of them do, and others I'm not sure who they are." 

We stood there talking for a little bit before my mom brought over Everleigh.

"Mommy, I'm hungry."

"Sorry, she wanted you to make her plate."

"No, it's okay."

Taking Everleigh from my mother, we made our way into the kitchen with Declan trailing behind.

"Mommy, who is that?" 

"Baby, this is Declan. He is Uncle Xavier and Uncle Luca's friend. Declan, this is my daughter Everleigh."

"It's nice to meet you, Everleigh."

All she did was smile at Declan.

"Sorry, she gets shy around new people sometimes."

"No, it's okay. I get it."

Holding a three year and filling her plate up was becoming difficult. Declan saw me struggling and offered to fill her plate if I told him what to put on it. It was a big help to me, and I was grateful. 

As soon as Everleigh was finished, she wanted to go back to Beckett. Once again, leaving me alone with Declan, in which I didn't mind.