Free When Tomorrow Never Comes by Raven K. Asher Page A

Princess.” He reassures me.
    The rest of my hair had been done up with cascading curls.
    It was much fancier than I had ever done my hair but it was growing on me.
    Placing his hands on my shoulders Eric grins. “You look absolutely amazing when you smile. The guys are going to be lining up around the block.”
    I snort and shake my head. “I hope not.”
    “Me too, Princess, I may have been a little rash saying that.” Eric agrees with a dramatic frown.
    I laugh and nod my head in agreement.
    “But there is one boy I know who will like it.” Eric then states.
    Smirking, I once again finger my hair.
    “You better get going if you want a ride with him to school. I might change my mind on letting you go too.” Eric warns.
    Not wasting a second for him to change his mind I rush to grab my book bag before running downstairs and to the front door.
    “Bye, papa bear, bye, dad.” I call out as I open the door and then slow to a walk as the door shuts behind me.
    I had to play this cool.
    Walking slowly I nervously make my way down the sidewalk and then across the street quickly before walking up to Jayce and Ben’s front door.
    I ring the doorbell and after a moment the door opens revealing a woman with a friendly smile and blonde hair.
    She smiles brightly as she takes me in. “Aren’t you gorgeous.”
    I smile shyly and hold out my hand to her. “I’m Evette, but you can call me Eve.”
    She nods taking my hand in hers. “I’m Nancy, but you, Sweetheart, can call me Nan.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Nan.” I reply sweetly.
    “It’s nice to meet you too, Eve. Why don’t you come in and make yourself at home. The boys are almost ready.” She states as she steps to the side to let me inside their house.
    The house was pretty much set up the same way that ours was across the street but with subtle differences.
    After I’m inside Nan shuts the door and then motions for me to follow her through the house and into the kitchen.
    A man around forty looks up from his paper and then places it down onto the table before standing up to greet me.
    “This is, Eve. Frank, this is the girl Jayce and Ben told us about yesterday.” Nan states with a hint of excitement.
    Grabbing my hand he gives it a firm shake before stepping back. “You are stunning. It’s no wonder the boys wouldn’t stop talking about you.”
    My cheeks heat as I become shy again.
    It had been forever since I had this kind of attention from someone’s parents.
    Liam and Cole’s family had been the same way when Cole had first brought me to meet them.
    “Ah, you’re here earlier than I expected.” Jayce grunts as he walks into the room. “I hope my parents have been nice.”
    “They’ve been awesome.” I reply as he places his arm around my shoulder.
    Grinning down at me Jayce raises his hand to finger the hair that was swept across my forehead. “You cut your hair?” He questions.
    I nod. “My dad did it for me.”
    “Which one did it for you, because if I had to guess I would guess Matt?” Jayce teases.
    “It was Eric. He seems to be able to do anything.” I laugh lightly.
    “Wait, she’s with Matt, as in your social worker, Matt?” Nan questions abruptly.
    Jayce nods. “He’s adopting her.”
    “How is that possible, I thought he was gay?” Frank asks this time.
    I know they weren’t trying to hurt my feelings but they were and I felt the urge to defend them. “I’ve been tossed around to a lot of foster homes. Matt was my last chance for an actual home before the system kicked me out.”
    Nan nods her head. “We didn’t mean anything by it, Sweetheart. We’re just surprised that the system would allow them to adopt you. It’s a good thing though. There are some many good homes out there with people like them.”
    I nod my head in agreement. “They are the best family I have ever had.”
    “I’m happy for you then, Sweetheart.” Nan replies softly.
    “Come on, you two, we’re going to be late for school if we