Perfect

Chapter Five

-AVA-

   I don't think I have ever been more uncomfortable than this very moment in time, and I once asked Benedict Cumberbatch if it hurt when he fell from Heaven in the middle of a busy London Street.

   Don't even ask.

   My glance goes back and forth from my Mother, to my daughter, to my step-father and then to Alex, who clearly is taken aback by this sudden revelation. I can tell from his eyes. And the fact he can no longer look at me.

   I knew my hypothesis about telling guys about being a single mother is such a good repellent. Gaby's totally right. I'm worthless. And weird.

   She constantly says I'm weird.

   I went through it in my head at how the next few minutes were probably going to pan out, how Alex will awkwardly finish his cake and then walk out, never to be seen again by me (well I'll probably see him and his womanizing ways in the media, as usual).

   To say I was shocked was an understatement at how I felt when he began to speak up again.

   "Can I talk to you in private?" His voice seems hopeful. Why didn't he just leave?

   "Um," I glance at my parents for approval, who were all for it. Why wouldn't they be? A billionaire heir of a massive music company wanted to talk privately with their daughter. I'm surprised they hadn't already been on the phone to the wedding reception hall in the middle of the city centre. "Sure."

   We walk back behind the counter and through the door, into the kitchen in the back. It is a very modern kitchen, all tiled walls and marble worktops. Only recently it became this sophisticated, though. 5 years this company had been going, and only now has it been a success. "It's good seeing you again." I cross my arms across my chest.

   "You too," He nods. "Although, I must admit that I was kind of disappointed when you gave over the fake number."

   "I'm sorry about that," I shuffle my feet uncomfortably. "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Emma as well."

   "She's just as cute as her Mummy," He began teasing again, causing me to laugh nervously. Clearly he is nervous over the situation as well. "You didn't need to keep her a secret."

   "It's not because I'm ashamed of her," I don't know why I began defending myself. He didn't sound accusing with his tone. "It's just... Sometimes it's hard for guys to even look at you if you have a kid."

   "What you need to realise is that I'm not like most guys," I smile slightly at his words. "I also don't really care if you have a kid, sure it's shocking," He admits. "But she's too cute for words so I don't mind."

   'He's beyond amazing'. I think to myself.

   "Thank you," I look through the door at Emma again, this time my Mother sitting with both girls, complimenting them on their colouring skills. "She is amazing."

   "Of course she is, with you as her Mum," I look back at him again. "So now, it's a year later, can I at least get a real number?"

   "You still want my number after what you found out today?"

   "Obviously," His smirk suddenly drops into a look of awkwardness. "Unless... You've found someone in the last year." I scoff at the suggestion, and also at his questioning tone.

   "Alex, I have a 4 year old, the only people interested in me right now is Benedict Cumberbatch, and that's only in my head." My random comment causes him to burst out laughing.

   "All right then little Miss Perfect," I cross my arms again, desperately trying to suppress a smile from his new nickname for me. "And also wouldn't mind a kiss as well as the number."

   "Oh really?" I shake my head at his flirting, biting my bottom lip.

   "You really have to stop that," Now he shakes his head. "It always drove me mad the first time I met you, and here we are a year later, and it still drives me insane."

   "In what way?" I raise an eyebrow.

   "Well, let's just say it's now even worse knowing that you're a Mum."

   "Did not realise you had those sorts of fantasises, Darkbloom." I tease, causing him to raise both of his eyebrows, not saying anymore.

   His smirk is confirmation enough.

   I put my hand out for his phone, but he just wags a finger at me, and instead places his hand out.

   "I don't trust you, Perfect," I give in with a sigh, and pull my phone out of the front pocket of my waist apron, and place it in his hand.

   "The passcode is 1994."

   "Already telling me your passcode, it's like we're meant to be." He constantly makes me laugh with his words. "And why 1994?"

   "Well because Harry Styles was born in 1994, duh." He shakes his head again.

   "Should have guessed that considering you quoted One Direction lyrics to me the first time we met," He loads his number into my phone, and then rings it to give himself a miscall. "And now that I know that's your actual number, expect a call from me later tonight."

   "I will." I am still smiling like a Cheshire cat as he hands my phone back to me.

   "Cute background by the way." He complimented before walking back out to the front again. I look down at the background of Emma and me on her 4th birthday, and can't help but bite my bottom lip in glee.

   I make a mental note to bite my bottom lip more around him.

  And I can't believe he doesn't mind that I have a kid. Another example of an actual miracle!

   I follow him back out towards the front again where he takes Poppy's hand, the girls waving goodbye to each other before they walked out of the door. I saw Emma gave her colouring book to Poppy, and it makes me burst with pride.

   Alex gives a quick wink before he exits with his little sister, and my burst of pride is soon replaced with one of glee, again. This man is definitely something else.

   I'm brought back to reality when Emma runs directly towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist by reaching up. I smile, kneeling down and picking her up, balancing her on my hip.

   "Do you know how proud I am of you, EDP?" Her nickname EDP is based off her initials, and it was something my step-brother Logan came up with as soon as her name was given shortly after her birth. Everyone now calls her it.

   "Why?" She frowns, confused.

   "Because you're the smartest, kindest girl I know, and I'm proud that I'm your Mummy."

   "Yes," My step-father Jason spoke up, bringing over a small plate with a slice of lemon drizzle cake on it. "And this occasion calls for cake!"

   Emma cheers as I placed her back down in her seat again, and smiled as I watched her from the counter, completely devouring her cake slice.

   In terms of cake, she's more like me than I previously thought.