Scarlett Crawford, a widowed mother with a young daughter depending on her, struggling to keep her life and emotions in check, but with the help of her best friend and her big brother she does what she can. But will a chance encounter with an attrac...
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Scarlett
"Mama, there's a car in our driveway." Quinn called to me in the kitchen from the lounge room. I brushed my hands on my jeans and straightened my top, about to head to the front door when Nikki rushed past me with a cheeky grin.
"I'll get it," She had been teasing me since I got home and had even rescheduled a restaurant review so that she could stay and 'watch the magic'. "Hi Noah, don't you look nice. Come on in." I could hear the smirk in her voice.
"Hey, how are you? Hi Quinn," I poked my head around the corner in time to see Noah had knelt down to Quinn's level, "Your mum told me not to bring anything, but I thought you might like some chocolate chip cookies," he looked up as I rounded the corner, throwing a knee-rattling smile in at me, "After dinner of course."
I smiled at the gesture. Quinn snatch the packet of biscuits from Noah's hand, flashed him a giant grin and ran into the lounge room.
"I'll save them." Nikki said, chasing after the little cookie thief.
"Hey, I'm glad you came." I reached out to take his hand, the electricity pulsing through me at his touch.
"I'm glad you invited me," he kissed me hello on the cheek and I led him into the kitchen, "Can I help you with anything?"
"I think I've got everything under control in here, you can help Nikki set the table though. She's staying for dinner too, I hope you don't mind. And, fair warning, she's probably going to try to get you to play 20 questions at dinner. She's been driving me crazy since I got home." I laughed a little, turning back to the stove to check on the veggies.
"That's fine, sounds like it could be funny actually. It certainly smells good in here, what are we having?" Noah came up close behind me, wrapped his arms around me and sat his chin on my shoulder to see what I was cooking. I was amazed at how natural it felt and how comfortable I was with him. Though it sent goosebumps all over my body, I relaxed into his chest.
"I figured you can't really go wrong with a lamb roast and I've got my Mums golden syrup dumplings for dessert." I breathed in the scent of Noah's cologne.
"Best dessert ever." Nikki stated, walking into the kitchen with Quinn on her back. "come on kiddo, help me set the table." She said leaning back on the bench, so Quinn could climb off.
"I'll help too." Noah pulled away from me, my back instantly cold. I fiddled around in the kitchen while the three of them set the table, getting out plates, cutlery, sauces and glasses.
"Ok, who's hungry?" I asked, pulling the roast out of the oven.
~ ~ ~
Nikki and Noah were about halfway through 20 questions and I could hear them laughing at the dining table while I put Quinn to bed.
"Mama, is Noah going to be my new daddy?" Well I'd guessed this was going to come up at some point, but it didn't mean I was prepared for it.
"You're a bit cheeky," I tickled her, making her giggle and squirm in her bed, "Mummy and Noah are just friends at the moment honey. Is it ok with you if I spend some more time with him though? Do you like him?"
