Chapter 24
1198 Words
The next few days went by quickly and, due to the auction at the party, we ended up being twice as busy as the bakery.
I finished cleaning up and the last cakes I made when Colton came walking through the backdoor.
“Hey Marie.”
“Hey Colton.”
“Do you want to hang out?”
“OH, I watch Bella,” I said as she came running to me.
“I could help?”
I looked at Bella. “How do you feel about Colton coming over?”
“Does he play uno?”
He chuckled. “I’m the best.”
“He can come over.” She said, smiling and nodding her head.
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“How is she so good at this game?” Colton asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We play daily.”
Standing, I made my way into the kitchen to stir the pasta sauce Emily started before work.
Bella was playing with her doll and Colton was just staring at me.
“So how are you?” I asked, looking back at him. I know he knew I was referring to Abby.
“Relieved and mad.”
Keeping quiet, I nodded and smiled.
“We fought all the time and when she said she was pregnant I felt…..trapped. I should have been happy but I guess deep down I knew we were not good together.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“No…Becca has been distant with Hunter since and he keeps trying to get me to talk to Abby, but I have nothing to say.”
“Is that why you never messaged me that day?”
“Yeah, and I am so sorry. I didn’t know what to do. I guess I panicked and she didn’t leave my side.”
“I get it, Colton. I mean if I was pregnant I wouldn’t be worrying about hanging out.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
He began fidgeting and leaned closer to me before whispering. “Did you and Clay.” His head snapped at Bella, but she was in her own world.
“Did we have s*x?”
“Yes.”
“No Colton. I have never had s*x and Clay and I are just friends.”
Relief flooded his face. “Good.”
“Why is that good?”
A knock at the door interrupted our conversation. Opening the door, I was surprised to find Luca.
“Hi.” I said, stepping aside as he walked in with a big bag of gifts.
“LUCA!” Bella came running and jumped into his arms.
“How is my favorite girl?”
“Aunt Marie and Mommy said I wouldn’t see you for Christmas.”
“I couldn’t let that happen. I came back just to see you and Aunt Marie before I have to fly back to Florida.”
“But why?”
He laughed and sat her down. “Work stuff princess, but I had to bring your Christmas presents.”
She started clapping her hands and bouncing around.
Luca’s smile quickly turned into a frown as his eyes found Colton.
“Luca, this is Colton.”
Colton was on his feet and his hand stretched out to shake Luca’s. As they shook hands, I could feel the Alpha male battle already taking place.
“Are you staying for dinner?”
“I can’t I fly back out at 8:30, so I have to be at the airport by 8.”
“How do you get through the airport so fast?” Colton asked, confused.
“I have a private jet.”
Thank goodness for Bella. She interrupted the conversation, bringing a wrapped gift to Luca.
“I made this for you…open it now.” She said with the biggest smile.
He carefully opened the gift and inside was a picture of the two of them in a frame she decorated.
“Bella…this is the best present I have ever received.”
She ran to her dresser and grabbed a matching one she just had to have and showed it to him.
“I have one too!”
I had never seen this side of Luca and I loved it. If only he hadn’t cheated. But had he not, I wouldn’t have found Bella and Emily and we were family.
He grabbed his bag and a bunch of the gifts in front of Bella. I snapped a few pictures as she ripped through the paper.
He got her play doh and legos, and a living room for her doll and a kitchen.
“I can bake like Mommy and Aunt Marie.”
“You can do anything you want, princess.” I could hear the love in his voice.
“We can eat early…like at 5, so you can join us.” I said to Luca and he nodded.
“I have a gift for you and for Emily.”
“Luca, you didn’t have to get us anything.”
He stood and walked closer. “I have to get my favorite woman a gift.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and feel a little uncomfortable with Colton in the room.
He handed me a box. I opened it and inside was a beautiful necklace, bracelet, and matching earrings. I could tell they were crazy expensive but they were amazing.
“Luca, this is too.”
“Too perfect for you?” He said, cutting me off.
“Too much.” I whispered.
“I missed your birthday so consider it a double gift.”
“Thank you.”
“I got a hug from Bella as a thank you.”
Again I rolled my eyes and gave him a hug that seemed to linger longer than I meant.
As Bella played, Luca, Colton, and myself made small talk.
We ate dinner and I was surprised it wasn’t more awkward. Colton and Luca seemed to really like each others company. Of course, I would like men that have similar interests.
“Have you watched football with Marie?” Luca asked.
“Shut up Luca,” I snapped.
“I have not.”
“She is like a man with football….live football. You can’t get her to watch it on TV.”
“Really?”
“Enough. Luca, it’s almost 6 and it’s about a 2 hour drive to the airport.”
He smiled, making his way to a very full Bella sitting on the floor playing with her legos. I watched as they said goodbye to each other.
“I won’t be back for about a month. Will you miss me?” He asked with a smirk.
“Nope.” I said, popping the p but smiling.
He kissed my cheek and shook Colton’s hand before leaving.
“You two seem close,” Colton said, coming up behind me and placing his hands on my hips.
I twisted my body to face him. Our bodies almost flush against each other.
“We are close, but we will never be together again.”
“Good.”
“Are you going to kiss Aunt Marie?”
- Writer
