Chapter 3

FRIVA

"That'll be—"

The girl spoke without looking up from the monitor. I paid for our frozen treats and moved out of line, giving way to other customers. This has always been a popular spot for ice cream. We've been coming here since the day Gia decided she loved ice cream.

"Here you go. One salted caramel and one cotton candy. Enjoy."

"Thank you."

I handed Gia her cone and received a splitting grin in response. That, right there, was my weak point. I had worked my ass off to keep that smile on her face.

It hadn't been easy.

Six years ago, that night was supposed to be just one night of mind-blowing sex to forget a heartbreak. I left his apartment with a lot more than I bargained for. I absolutely loved my daughter and couldn't be more grateful to have her in my life, but at the time, it wasn't easy. Dylan's betrayal weighed heavily on me, and to top it off was my parents' lack of faith.

They loved Dylan, and he exploited that. He spun the whole thing to make it seem like I had been cheating on him for a while, and that he couldn't tell either of our parents because he was picking up the pieces of his broken heart. Conveniently, according to his story, I ended up pregnant with that man's child.

Forget his parents—my own didn't hesitate for a second to cut ties with me. It was almost laughable how much my parents trusted that lying piece of shit over their own daughter.

I was a mess; my life was a complete mess. I could hardly provide the financial support a child needed. The bakery's profits weren't enough at the time, considering how expensive apartments were in New York. I had no emotional support, absolutely no one to fall back on. It wasn't a practical decision, but I couldn't get an abortion. The baby was the only family I had.

Rey came in like a blessing. I can never be grateful enough for her support. She shared her apartment with me and wouldn't let me pay rent. She did more than anyone ever had for me. I still remember how excited she was to meet Gia. After the delivery, she returned with a bottle of champagne. The old, cranky nurse wasn't impressed at all!

When Gia was about two, I wanted to move out. The bakery's profits were improving, but God, it was difficult convincing Rey! She stopped talking to me for two whole days.

A small finger poked my side, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Look at that dog!" My eyes followed her finger, which pointed at a golden retriever playing with a little boy.

"Mommy, can we please get a dog?" She looked up at me with those puppy-dog eyes. I absolutely didn't have the heart to refuse her, but I didn't have an option.

"Gia, I told you this before, sweetie. Noah doesn't like dogs."

Noah was my boyfriend. We met at my bakery two years ago. He was there to get a cake for his friend's birthday. He was the first guy who had my attention after that cheating scumbag—minus that one stranger from that one night. This time, I was responsible for more than just myself. I had Gia and couldn't afford to make mistakes. I was apprehensive about another relationship after my last experience, but Noah was persistent. He became a regular at my café, and it was two months before our first date. Six months later, he wanted me to move in with him. Rey was dead against it; I wasn't too convinced either. It took me a year to actually take the step, hoping it wasn't a wrong one.

Gia pulled a face and slumped back. "But how can someone not like dogs?"

I sighed. Gia had been asking for a dog for some time, but I couldn't help it. Noah didn't like dogs at all, and I felt she should learn to respect other people's choices.

I gently caressed her head. "I'm sorry, sweetheart." She kept licking her ice cream while watching the retriever smother the boy with kisses.

AIDEN

The door to my cabin opened without a knock. It could only be Cillian. I assumed no employee of mine would have that much courage.

"Don't tell me you're thinking about her." Cillian sounded like he'd given up on me and my sanity.

Well, he wasn't wrong. I was thinking about her. I always did. For five years, I'd been obsessively thinking about her. Those serene eyes haunted my dreams every other night.

The biggest irony was that I didn't even know her name. I had no idea who she was, knew nothing about her except how she tasted. She had ruined me for anyone else. Sex hadn't been that good since.

I woke up to an empty bed, her side cold. She was gone and left no trace, almost as if she were a figment of my imagination and not an actual person I'd spent the night with. I looked for a note, anything to help me get in touch. Nothing. How did I not get her name?

A chuckle rang out.

"That good a pussy, huh?" I gritted my teeth at the amusement in his voice.

"Stop talking."

That earned me another laugh before he dropped the subject. "You remember we have the annual day coming up, right?"

"Fuck." I swore under my breath, having completely forgotten.

"Yeah," he drawled, amused.

"Erica looks after that. I'll remind her," I said, leaning back in my chair, a faint smirk touching my lips. "Or would you like to do the honors?" It was my turn to be amused as his eyes narrowed for a split second before his expression turned indifferent.

"I'll pass."

I decided it was best to leave it at that.