Free Earning Her Love by Hazel Gower Page B

breakfast.”
    “Sure, buddy.” Alex winked at her and followed her son as he ran out of the room. He stopped at the entry. “Sorry. I’ll learn.”
    Mia knew what he meant; he shouldn’t have told her son there was more. “It’s okay. Kids are sponges. They soak up everything anyone tells them or they hear.”
    Alex nodded. “Yeah, I’m learning that. I maybe should have put you in the spare room. I was being selfish and wanted you with me.”
    Mia wasn’t sure how she felt about Alex placing her in his room and not the spare one. They had slept together the night before, but Zane hadn’t been around. Zane had never seen her sleep in any bed other than her own, let alone sleep with a man. “This has to be what you want. I like you, Alex, but I don’t want Zane to get confused if you don’t want us as a package.”
    Alex smiled at her. “I know. I want this.” He left and Mia let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
    * * * *
    Alex had gone over to help his brother Owen move into his new house. Beth sat next to Mia, and Landon and Zane sat on the floor before them playing Skylanders on the Xbox that Alex had hooked up to his big, flat screen TV. Zane was in heaven. He thought the huge TV hooked up to the Xbox was the coolest thing in the world. Alex hadn’t wanted to help his brother as he had to be back at work on Monday and he wanted to spend his last two days with Mia and Zane, but she felt bad because he’d given up so much time to be with them already.
    “So,” Beth said as she came over and sat on the sofa with two hot chocolates, handing one to Mia. “How is it really going with Mr. Hottie? I mean, from what I’ve seen, he and his family are beyond perfect.”
    Mia took a sip of the hot chocolate goodness. “They are perfect. He is beyond perfect. I feel like I’m dreaming. I’m scared I’m going to wake up and it’s all been a dream, and I don’t have him or his amazing family, and I’m alone in the hospital.”
    Beth took Mia’s hot chocolate and placed both mugs on the side coffee table. She then pulled Mia against her and into a hug. “It’s real. You deserve the amazing family and him.”
    Easing from Beth, Mia stared up at her best friend, her green eyes shone and Mia knew that she was fighting not to cry. “Thank you.”
    The tears dropped. “Mia, you were dealt a shitty hand in life, with what happened with Zane’s father, your parents, school, and so on, but those things have made you stronger. They’ve made you who you are today.” Beth squeezed her hand. “I don’t know how you do it. You’re a year younger than me, and I had both my parents’ support and Landon’s father. He may only see him once every fortnight for a couple of hours, but at least he does see him. You’ve raised Zane all by yourself, and have done an amazing job. You deserve this wonderful family and perfect man.” She wiped her eyes. “Enjoy it, Mia, and embrace them, because I know if they know what a caring and giving person you are, they will love you just like I do.”
    Throwing herself at Beth, Mia hugged her friend. Right then she felt so lucky. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re awesome, and the best friend I could ever ask for.” They laughed and kissed each other’s cheeks until they broke out in giggles.
    “Oh God, bro. If I knew this was going on at your house, I would come over a lot more. I’m in heaven.”
    The voice came from behind them, and Beth and Mia separated, and Mia turned and saw Lockie, Alex’s brother, standing at the entry to the lounge room. Alex stood next to him, and behind them was Owen.
    “Oh, don’t stop on my account,” Lockie continued. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
    She and Beth burst out laughing at the looks on their faces. Lockie wasn’t the only one who seemed to have enjoyed what he walked in on. Owen’s eyes were wide, and he had a huge grin. Alex’s blue eyes were dark with lust, and his lips were curled up