Chapter One
Five years later
Giselle
I walk to my car after a long day at work. I love my job. Some found it odd that I had always aspired to be a librarian, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My mother used to take me to the library when I was a little girl, and we would sit in the corner and quietly read book after book together. The fond memories I have of this place remind me of the relationship I used to have with her. We aren’t as close these days.
I hum along to the radio on the drive home, looking forward to seeing Parker. I miss him so much whenever I’m at work. I work four days a week, and each day I feel his absence like a hole in my heart.
I pull into the driveway of my unit. It’s a two-bedroom, one-bath, and I love it. While it’s not luxurious, the rooms are spacious, and it’s bright and cheerful. I unlock the door and walk in, following the sound of laughter. My lips pull up into a grin as soon as I see my brother, Gage, tickling Parker mercilessly. Parker’s laughter makes my heart melt; it’s my most favourite sound in the world.
“Gage, stop harassing my son,” I tease, pulling Parker out of Gage’s arms and into mine.
“Mama!” Parker squeals with pleasure. I hug my son against my chest, his head on my heart. I lean down and muss my brother’s hair fondly.
“I hope he didn’t give you too much trouble, Gage,” I say to my brother. Gage is two years older than me. He really is a Godsend; he helps look after Parker whenever he can.
“No problem at all. You know I love to spend time with the little squirt,” Gage says with a grin. I do know, and I’m so grateful for it.
Gage looks nothing like me, except for his blue eyes. He has brownish hair and two dimples. He is a lot taller than me at about six-foot-one, with a muscular build.
The women love him.
“I’m gonna get going then, sis. Are you gonna be okay?” he asks as he picks up his wallet and keys.
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him. Gage lives in an apartment with his best friend—a bachelor pad. I’m disgusted by how messy it gets, so I often go over there to clean it.
Gage kisses my temple before walking to the front door. “Come and lock the door, Giselle,” he calls out before he departs. I lock the door, putting in the code and my fingerprint for confirmation. The state-of-the-art security system Levi and Gage installed makes me feel safe. I’m not a paranoid person, but I am cautious.
After we’re secure, I turn around and stare down at Parker.
“You hungry, baby?” I ask him. He scrunches his nose at me and nods, his black mop of hair tumbling on his face with the motion. “Okay let’s go make some dinner,” I say, kissing him on the nose.
*****
After dinner, Parker demands that I build tall towers from the blocks so that he can pretend to be a monster ransacking the city. I humour him and enjoy watching him act out the character.
The doorbell rings. “I’ll be right back, Mr. Monster.”
Parker nods absently, too busy throwing blocks about. I walk to the door and look at the screen to see who it is. Levi, Gage’s best friend.
Levi is a great guy. He’s laidback and funny as hell, but he’s also caring with a heart of gold. He loves Parker and me as if we were family.
“I come bearing gifts,” Levi calls out as he walks through the door. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek in greeting.
“Uncle Levi,” Parker calls out excitedly. Parker has started calling Levi uncle. Luckily we aren’t dating anymore, or that would be kind of awkward. I drag my gaze over Levi Black. His blond hair is styled messily, a chunk of it falling on his forehead. His skin is tanned from the sun, his blue eyes pale and gentle. He’s wearing a pair of black shorts, sitting low on his lean hips, and a black singlet top, showcasing his impressive biceps. He has one tattoo, a band around his upper left arm.
We may not ever be together again, but I can still enjoy the view. He looks like he just came here from the beach, which he probably did. He lives to surf and spends most of his spare time riding the waves. He’s a free spirit, which is just another thing I love about him.
“What have you brought?” I ask him, wary but also curious. “Please tell me it’s not a lizard or something.”
He laughs. “Oh, come on, that was one time.”
He brought Parker a pet lizard once and I screamed when I opened the box. Safe to say—the lizard went back to the pet store.
“One time too many,” I reply with a shudder.
“Well, for Parker I brought some new toys,” he says with a grin.
“YAY!” Parker squeals. I roll my eyes and shake my head. Levi grins unrepentantly. I told him to stop wasting his money buying Parker more toys; the kid already has more than enough. Plus, there just isn’t enough room in this place. However, Levi loves to spoil him. He and Gage are always buying Parker clothing and toys so that I don’t need to. They tend to dress Parker in clothing identical to their own. While I’d never admit it to them, I do think it’s adorable.