Page 8 of Someone You Deserve
Except there’s no one else to blame if this goes south.
But it’s time for me to put my neck on the line—for myself, and my future.
I’ve always wanted more, and even though I’d never admit it to him, Dallas is right.
The time is now.
So I’m taking my chance.
Too bad I don’t have the guts to do that in other aspects of my life.
Chapter two
Astrid
“I’m home! I’m home! Sorry I’m late.” Scrambling through the front door, I drop my purse right in the entry way and rush toward the kitchen.
“Calm down. Everything is fine.” My mother brushes her hair over her shoulder as she takes dinner out of the oven. “I was running behind on dinner anyway.”
Sighing, I take a moment to catch my breath and then pour myself a glass of water from the fridge, draining it quickly. “I lost track of time and then started panicking when I saw the clock.”
“You had a good day then?”
“I did,” I say, just as my mother turns to me. “I think I’ve narrowed down the menu.”
“Well, that’s amazing, Astrid.” She turns off the oven and reaches for plates from the cupboard. “I hope you kept the lemon raspberry cupcake on there. You know that’s my favorite.”
Smiling, I move to gather utensils and set the table. “I did. I knew you’d disown me if I didn’t, and I kind of need your help with my children still.”
She chuckles. “Good to know that I have the ability to sway your menu selections. I’ll keep that in mind for later.” Then she calls over her shoulder, “Bentley! Lilly! Mom’s home!”
Lilly comes barreling down the hallway, slamming into my legs. “Mommy!”
“Hi, sweet girl.” I kiss the top of her head. “How was your day?”
“Ugh. Addison told me my dress was ugly, so I told her that her hair was stupid.”
Rolling my eyes, I reply, “You shouldn’t say that to her.”
“Why? She started it.”
“Yes, but you saying something back to her like that only makes you as mean as she is.”
“Addison deserves it. She’s a spoiled, rotten brat.” Bentley enters the room with much less enthusiasm than his little sister. And even though I don’t condone my kids calling other kids names, it’s nice to know that he stands up for his sister when it counts.
“Hey, bud.” I pull him forward and kiss the top of his head as well, but he moves away from me as quickly as he can. “How was your day?”
“It was fine.”
Yup. That’s all I get. If eleven is any indication of what the teen years are going to be like, I hope God helps us all.
“Did Grandma make enchiladas?” Bentley asks, peering over the counter at the pan on the stove.
“I sure did.”
“Heck yes!”
“I hate enchiladas!” Lilly whines right on schedule. It wouldn’t be dinnertime without one kid liking what is being served, and the other one hating it.