Late Love Read online

  “Rosie is obsessed with your mum, so I doubt she will even know I’m gone. I’m more worried about myself than her.”

  “I’ll take care of you.” He winks at me before Rosie starts calling out, clearly noticing he’s in the room.

  ‘How’s my number one?” he asks, bending down to pick her up.

  “I thought I was your number one?” I tease. He just gives me that pretty-boy smile over his shoulder.

  “Hey, lovely,” Em says, and I realize I’ve yet to say hi to her and Reeve.

  “Sorry, this fella”—she motions to Reeve—“took all my attention. How are you guys?”

  “Busy. Work is kicking my arse right now, but I guess that’s better than being bored?” Owen replies, still infatuated with Rosie.

  “Mine is overall the same. Tonight’s my first night out in months, so I’m pretty keen for a wine and to watch the boys. They better not disappoint.”

  Owen lifts his head to look at me while Ali and Reeve laugh. “I promise we will do our best!” he says, and I just grin.

  Everyone spends a few more minutes catching up before Evie calls for dinner. Her mood is extra chipper now that she knows Owen and I are together. She tried to play it cool when we told her, but I heard her go into the kitchen and squeal when she thought we weren’t listening.

  “So, Owen, do you have any birthday plans?” Evie asks while I serve myself a heaping pile of potatoes, thankful Rosie is napping.

  “It’s what, a week away?” Stana asks from across the table. Ali hands her the salt without her asking for it, her gentle smile towards him adorable. I swear those two are headed to the altar sooner rather than later.

  Owen nods and I mentally pray that the gift I got him goes over well. Despite my pure panic at leaving Rosie for the night, the girls have agreed to look after her while I get a hotel for Owen and myself. Well, I also got them a room on our floor because let’s be real, neither myself nor Owen will be able to stay away from her for a full night.

  But either way, it’s a surprise for the day of his birthday, both girls sworn to secrecy.

  “I think maybe a night in with everyone,” Owen says from next to me, answering his mother. His hand finds mine under the table and gives it a squeeze. I bite into my food to hide my smile. I’ve got something else planned for him; he just doesn’t know it yet.

  “Well, you know I wouldn’t want to miss my boy’s birthday. How about we all do a picnic to celebrate in the coming weeks?”

  “Sure, I bet Rosie would like that too,” he replies, looking to me for confirmation.

  “She would. She’s obsessed with ducks, even though I’m not sure she actually knows what they are.”

  “Perfect!” Evie beams. “I’ll organize it. Maybe you want to help me, Lottie?”

  I nod. “Definitely. Lord knows I need some other things to occupy my time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my girl, but sometimes I need a little bit of human interaction that isn’t from a four-month-old.”

  “Oh, love, tell me about it. I used to think I would go stir crazy.”

  “Do you think you’ll go back to work soon, Lottie?” Steve asks me before taking a sip of wine.

  “I’ve spoken to my old boss and we’ve decided I’m going to go back in two months when Rosie’s six months. It won’t be full time, probably only two or three days, but it’s a start.”

  “You need things for yourself,” Evie confirms.

  “Will Rosie go into daycare?” Em asks.

  “I’m not sure. To be fully honest, I’m still trying to figure it out. I don’t want to leave her with a bunch of strangers, but at the same time I know ultimately I will have to.”

  “Understandable,” Em replies.

  Conversation eventually shifts to other things, banter easy with my close friends. It’s not long before I’m checking on Rosie with Evie right behind me.

  “You know, Lottie, I work part-time now,” Evie says from next to me while we exit the room after seeing a fast-asleep Rosie.

  I turn to her, not fully sure what she’s implying.

  “I didn’t know,” I respond. “But you’ve been working your arse off for years, Evie. You deserve a break.”

  She raises a shoulder. “I’m still young, Lottie. I was younger than you when I had Owen. Fifty is nothing these days.”

  I wink. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”

  “I know you’re a strong girl. Stubborn too,” she says, eyeing me. “I see a lot of myself in you, especially when I’d first had Owen. I was desperate to get back to work but at the same time panicked to leave him or miss even a second of his life.”

  “I know the feeling,” I say.

  “I bet you do. That’s why I’m going to make you an offer. You don’t have to say anything right now, okay? But I need you to promise to think about it. Can you do that for me, Charlotte?”

  I nod, knowing I could never deny Evie, especially after all she’s done for me.

  “I promise.”

  “I want you to consider letting me look after Rosie for the days you go back to work. I know your initial instinct will be to say no, but I need you to think about it, okay? I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to. But the reality is, I adore your little girl more than anything, and I like to think I’m looking out for you while your mum can’t, so will you please consider it?”

  My throat feels tight, the love and support pouring off of Evie too much for me to handle. So I just nod, letting her pull me into a hug, offering more comfort than I thought I needed.

  “So, are you having fun on your night off?” Em asks, shoving a fresh glass of wine in front of me. The lads are all together having a drink at the bar before they go on in five. Saint Street is packed with the hustle and bustle of locals, something I’ve slightly forgotten as it’s been so long since I’ve been here at night—nearly five months, to be exact.

  “Em, I don’t think it’s considered a night off, but yes, I’m having a great time.” I laugh, looking at my first glass that is still very full. “But I’ve still got to be a mum in the morning and from what I’ve heard, having a baby with a hangover is hell.”

  “Oh God.” Stana grimaces. “Sounds like it.”

  I nod. “You’ll both understand soon enough.”

  Stana tries to hide it, but I see her smile.

  “You thinking about babies, Augustana Prescott?” I dare ask. Her face goes beet red at my question.

  “No, uh,” she sputters, reaching for her drink. “I don’t know.”

  I laugh. “You’ve got a man who adores you, a place together. A ring and a baby are the next steps for you two. Am I wrong, Em?”

  Em shakes her head, her bun full of curls dancing as she moves. “She is not wrong,” she chimes in.

  “I guess so. I mean, I’m so young—I’m only just about to be twenty-four—but yeah, I would be lying if I said it hasn’t been on my mind,” Stana admits.

  “Wanting those things doesn’t mean it has to happen now,” I reassure her. “But it’s good to know it’s Ali who you want them with.”

  She smiles at his name. “It’s definitely Ali I want them with.”

  I wink. “Thought so.” Turning to Em, I give her a look. “What about you, Ronan? Babies in the future?”

  “I think Reeve and I would have to move in together before babies and marriage come up, but sure, in a few years it’s definitely something we want. But for now, I think we’re just happy being us two.”

  “We’re all young. We don’t need marriage and babies now.” I pause. “Well, I mean, I’m clearly not following the latter, but no marriage for Lottie anytime soon.”

  They both burst into laughter right as some cheers ring out, the guys heading to the stage. Owen takes his place behind the drums while Ali picks up the guitar and Reeve stands up front.

  All three of us lean forward as Reeve starts to sing, probably looking like some lovesick puppies, but we don’t give a shit. Those are our lads up there, and I’m going to enjoy every sing
le second of it.

  And enjoy every second I did. I got to stare at Owen in his element for thirty minutes before we socialized with all our mates for another two hours after that. By the time we were finished it was ten p.m., my body thankful I’d stopped at two drinks.

  Everyone wanted to kick on, so Owen and I slipped out as Saint Street was really heating up. Despite their set usually being around nine, I know they played early for me, which honestly means the world.

  Through all of the past few months, this group of humans has only continued to solidify the fact that they’re my makeshift family, being there for me through everything.

  It’s late when we finally get to Evie’s, Owen and I sneaking upstairs like a couple of kids and tiptoeing into Owen’s old bedroom while Rosie sleeps peacefully in the corner.

  I can’t help it, so I hover over her crib, her body wrapped up tight in her sleeping bag while her curls glisten in the moonlight that peeks through the window.

  I feel Owen come up beside me, his hands going around my waist.

  “She really is perfect,” he whispers ever so quietly in my ear.

  “She really is,” I confirm.

  Eventually my fatigue gets the best of me, so Owen takes my hand and leads me into his double bed. It’s definitely smaller than my queen that we’re used to, but it does fine.

  I snuggle into his warm chest, trying not to laugh at the situation. Owen is nearly twenty-nine and I’m twenty-six, both of us sleeping in his mum’s house with my little girl next to me. Yet despite it all, I manage to drift off into a deep sleep, thankful to have Owen’s arms wrapped around me.

  “Are you sure you’re okay leaving her for the night?” Owen asks me, panic on his face. I’m starting to think he’s the one who isn’t ready. I’ve just told him about his birthday surprise and he’s hesitant, to say the least.

  “Owen, we’re literally one room down from her. This doesn’t even count as leaving for the night. Stana and Em are in the hotel room next to us. I promise it’s okay.”

  He nods, but I see his uncertainty. To be completely honest, it scares the shit out of me not having her sleep next to me, but it’s been nonstop since she was born, and Owen and I deserve a break. No mum guilt allowed today. Okay, maybe a little, but I’m trying to ignore it.

  “So, are you going to tell me the plan for this afternoon?” he asks, his hand laced in mine while we walk down the hotel corridor.

  “The plan is to have a movie marathon with room service and a comfy hotel bed.”

  He perks up. “Really?”

  “I know it’s nothing crazy, but I figured it might be better to just spend time together and relax. Work’s been busy for you lately, and it’s hard to get that one-on-one time with Rosie always at my side. Don’t get me wrong, she’s my entire world, but sometimes I feel like you and I need some time together.”

  He gives my hand a squeeze. “Honestly, Lottie, that plan sounds fantastic. As much as I love our outings, there’s nothing I want more than to lock myself in a room with you for twenty-four hours.”

  I beam, happy I’m going to make his birthday special. Lord knows he deserves it.

  “You know what I was thinking about yesterday?”

  “What?”

  “It’s been a year since I moved back, since we met.”

  He shakes his head thoughtfully as we reach the door. “Look how much has changed in a year.”

  “A lot.”

  “You know the first time I saw you, there was just something about you. It struck a chord within me right away.”

  I tilt my head. “It did?”

  He nods before pushing open the door. “It’s like a switch flipped inside of me. I was so drawn to you, and when you shut me down, I knew if it couldn’t be romantic between us, I’d need you as a friend.”

  We walk into the room, Owen tossing our bags onto the floor.

  “Despite everything that happened to me before coming back to London, I can’t lie that the night we met you intrigued me,” I admit. “But I wasn’t ready then; it would have complicated things.” I pause. “Well, I don’t know if we could have gotten ourselves into a more complicated situation, if I’m being honest.” I can’t help but laugh at how it all turned out.

  “I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he says, pulling me into him. My body warms instantly at his touch. Due to us only recently getting together and Rosie being attached to my hip, we haven’t exactly had time to be intimate, but I’m hoping this weekend changes that for us.

  I lean forward, connecting my lips to his, Owen catching on pretty quickly about what I want. It’s an unspoken understanding that we have one whole year of sexual tension to live up to.

  Not having it in me to waste time, I quickly latch my grabby hands onto the hem of his shirt and pull it over his head with his help.

  Jesus Christ.

  Sure, I’ve seen him shirtless a lot, but it has never been the time, until now. I let myself explore him, running my hands up and down his toned golden chest. My hands are cold against his warm skin as I get my fill.

  Owen wastes no time pulling my top off, somehow managing to pin me under him in the process.

  “You use these moves with all the ladies?” I joke as we remove the rest of our clothing. It’s rushed, crazy and frantic. It’s us.

  Owen laughs as he runs his hands through my hair. “Only the special ones.” He even throws in a wink.

  I roll my eyes before crashing our lips together again, each of us fighting for dominance. I decide to let him have it, just this once anyway.

  His hands roam my body, exploring every single inch of me, mapping out a path from top to bottom. I lie on my back, no complaints coming his way. He takes his time, worshipping me like a treasure he doesn’t deserve. I feel the same.

  Every touch, every kiss feels different with Owen. It screams love and devotion, two things I didn’t know how much I needed to feel until now.

  Eventually there are no more barriers between us, Owen and I connected in the most intimate of ways. My breath hitches and I bite down on my lip.

  “I’ve wanted this for so long,” he whispers from above me, no longer playing around. My hands find his as I pull him closer, our bodies flush against one another.

  “Me too,” I whisper. “But I’m glad we waited.”

  He nods, so close to me I can feel the warmth of his breath. “Me too, Lottie. Me too.”

  We move together as one, my heart and soul never having felt as full as they do right now.

  It’s an hour later as we’re lying in bed, Owen having fallen asleep sometime in the past twenty minutes, that I realize—in all the time we were together, not once did I feel insecure or self-conscious about myself or my body. Sure, I’m a confident girl, always have been, but pregnancy changes your body and I’d be a liar to say otherwise.

  Yet despite it all, Owen made me as comfortable as I ever could be, and I relished in his presence rather than squirming.

  I feel him stir next to me, my face resting on his chest. I turn my head up, then look at him with a grin.

  “Sorry, I must have dozed off,” he says, pulling me up to kiss him.

  “You’re fine. I know work’s been crazy.”

  He looks around, rubbing his sleepy eyes with his free hand. “What time is it anyway?”

  “It’s a little after three. You hungry again?” I lean away from him, keeping the sheet to my chest while I grab a room service menu from the nightstand.

  “Starving,” he responds, but I don’t think he’s talking about food. I playfully roll my eyes before shoving the menu at him.

  “Pick something and I’ll order.”

  He takes his time, my stomach practically speaking by the time he’s decided on a burger. I get one too and order it hastily.

  Then we settle into one another, Owen picking the stupidest comedy he can for us to watch, but I don’t mind. It’s one of the things I like most about him. Although he’s a huge goofball, he’s extremely c
aring and sensitive.

  He’s my guy.

  We spend the rest of the afternoon in bed, doing all sorts of things, but as six p.m. rolls by, that nagging feeling hits me.

  I miss Rosie.

  “You know, she’s right down the hall,” Owen says casually as he strokes my hair. My eyes meet his, and I know he wants to see her as much as I do.

  “We’ve had enough time just us two. We should get her.”

  I turn, looking at him. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. The only thing that could make this day any better is ending it with my two girls.”

  He doesn’t need to tell me twice. I lean up and kiss him passionately before jumping off him and quickly getting my clothes. He follows suit, and both of us are at Stana and Em’s door before we know it.

  It swings open, a grinning Stana looking at me, Rosie’s bag already packed in the corner.

  “You knew?” I say.

  Stana pushes her dark hair over her shoulder, eyes latched onto my own. “Honestly, we thought you two would have been here a lot earlier. I’m impressed.”

  I laugh, pulling her in for a hug before entering the room, finding Em playing with my little girl on the floor.

  “Hi, my baby, did you miss me?” I coo as I sit down, then give Em a quick hug before picking up Rosie, giving each of her squishy cheeks a big kiss.

  I feel Owen crouch down next to me, her little hands reaching out for him.

  “Ugh, gals, I’m sorry for wasting your night,” I say, turning to them both. Neither seems upset, both wearing matching smiles.

  “Are you kidding? We got a whole day with Rosie to ourselves, plus now we can have a girl’s night in a hotel room. We should be thanking you,” Em says, to which Stana nods.

  “Can’t complain over that quality one-on-one time,” Stana adds in.

  “Thank you,” I say, standing to collect Rosie’s bag and mat.

  “Ready?” Owen asks me, Rosie happily holding onto him. I lace our hands as we exit, repeating my thanks and goodbyes one more time as we go.

  When we’re back in the room, Rosie sits between us as Owen puts on Paddington Bear. Rosie giggles like she always does, her curls bouncing up and down with her excitement.