If I Only Knew(48)

My lips part as I look in his eyes to see if he’s lying. “More?”

He nods. “Yes, Danielle, more. I’ll be honest, I don’t know what more looks like.”

“Meaning a relationship?” I ask.

“Yes, I’ve never been in one before, they do seem quite fascinating.”

I roll my eyes. “How are you forty-one and never had a girlfriend?”

Milo smiles, kisses the tip of my nose, and shrugs. “I never found a woman worthy of my affections.” How is it that I like him so much? He’s such a jerk sometimes. “That is until I found you.”

And then he says shit like that and I’m a puddle.

“Well.” I uncross my arms and put them around his waist. “I’ll tell you this, you keep saying things like that and it’ll go a long way for you.”

He laughs and brushes his nose against mine. “Noted. Anything else I should be aware of?”

“Hmm,” I stretch out the sound as I think. What to tell a guy about how to be in a relationship . . . “I think compliments, flowers, and affection are a must. You should also be aware that you’ll probably not get what you want in the end, and the girl is always right, especially this girl.”

Milo chuckles. “Is that all?”

“Well, there are other things, but they should be pretty obvious.”

“No shagging other women, right?”

“That’s a given.”

“And you will not be with another man?” he asks with his brow raised.

“If that’s what we’re doing, then no. I would never betray the man I was with.”

“What is it that you want us to be doing?”

With Peter, we never had time to ease into it. We started dating and then I was pregnant with Ava. There was this whole chunk of time we lost because we didn’t get to really enjoy one another. Here was a chance to pump the brakes.

“I want to take this slow,” I say. “Not because I’m unsure, but because I have kids to think about, and I want us to enjoy our time getting to know each other.”

“You know that I’m aware of your children and that they’re part of the deal?”

“I would hope so. Oh, and my friends, they’re kind of a part of the package too.”

I might as well get that clear now. Kristin, Heather, and Nicole are pretty much staples in my life. Not that I don’t make my own choices, but I know what comes with their disapproval.

“Understood.” Milo smiles down at me. “And I like your kids. Ava is a little scary, but Parker is a fantastic kid.”

“Yes on both counts.”

“All right, sweetheart. We take this slow. We enjoy each other’s company, and for now, we take it one day at a time, sound good?”

I run my hand up to his neck and bring his lips to mine. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me smile again, even if I was laughing at you some of those times.”

Milo grins. “I bet I can find other ways to make you smile.”

“I look forward to finding out.”





Chapter Twenty-Two





Danielle





“So it’s actually a date this time?” Ava asks as she rummages through my closet.

“No.”

“But you guys are dating?”

I sigh. I decided that the best way to get Ava to stop being out of control was to treat her the way she wants to be treated. The last week has been like having my girl back who wasn’t occupied by Satan’s soul. I’m not sure if my new parenting approach is actually working, but I’m going with it for now.

First thing I did was tell her that Milo and I were seeing each other.

After her initial round of questions that I’ll never repeat to anyone because I’m scarred for life, she actually got a little excited.

“I told you, we’re taking it slow. Tonight is a business dinner. We’re going to celebrate the permits and talk about the next project on the list.”

She laughs. “Last time you said it was business I caught you fogging up the windows.” Ava grabs the dress and starts to twirl around. “Like a couple of school kids. Oh, Milo, kiss me.” She makes noises and rubs the dress against her. “Talk British to me before I stick my tongue in your mouth.”

“Knock it off and give me the dress, you nut job. And you and I aren’t besties or whatever you kids call it, so we’re not talking about kissing.”

I’m so not going there with her. There are lines, and this is one we won’t cross.

“You don’t have to talk to me about it, I caught you and posted it on the internet. You’re welcome.”

“I really should’ve considered adoption when I was pregnant.”

Ava shrugs. “I would’ve found you eventually.”

Yeah, she definitely would’ve.

“Here, try this on.” She tosses the hanger over and the dress is actually not bad.

“Why the hell didn’t you show me this one before the last dinner meeting I had?”

Ava doesn’t even give me the courtesy of trying to look apologetic. “Because that dress was hot. This one is . . . wearable.”