Tate Odder wants to be friends. Accept his friendship?

Did she want too?

The door opened suddenly and Aiden stumbled in sleepily. Audrey smiled as she held out her arms for her little guy. He fell into her lap, snuggling up to her neck as he let out a breath.

“You get scared, Punkin?”

His little head shook quickly, “No, I miss my mommy and daddy.”

Audrey’s heart broke a little, “Oh buddy, they’ll be home soon.”

“I know,” he whispered, snuggling in closer to her. “Can I just sit here with you?”

“Sure, baby,” she whispered back. Her eyes fell shut, listening to the music that took her to another world.

“Who’s playing that music?”

“Tate,” Audrey whispered without opening her eyes.

“Wow, he’s really good.”

“I know.”

Aiden was quiet again, and Audrey thought he had gone back to sleep but then he said, “I think Tate likes you.”

Audrey giggled, “Nah, I’m too old.”

Aiden sat back some, looking up at her, “So?”

Audrey smiled, “So, I’m too old. He probably wants someone his age.” Aiden shook his head and Audrey knew he was about to argue with her so she said, “Punkin, don’t worry about it.”

“But I want you to get married and have a baby.”

Suddenly, it was really hard for Audrey to swallow. Her chest seized as her eyes filled quickly with tears. Looking deep into the grey eyes of his father, Audrey wrapped her arms around Aiden, pulling him in tight before kissing his head.

“One day,” she whispered against his head, “One day, all that will happen.”

Even though she knew it wouldn’t, Audrey couldn’t help but wish it would. As she imagined her perfect little child in her arms, she couldn’t help but imagine the child with blonde hair and blue eyes, while its daddy played his piano for them.

She had no clue what that meant, but it didn’t matter because she picked up her phone and hit “accept”.

Chapter 9

“Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend. Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend.”

Audrey shot Aiden a grin in the rearview mirror as she turned into the Brentwood area. Aiden took the lead while Audrey backed him up, banging her fist against the steering wheel with each beat. As the two jammed to the best boy band ever, Audrey couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

Not only was she with the best kid ever, the cupcakes that she had made for Shelli were probably the best cupcakes ever. Audrey hoped that Elli would love the idea she came up with. Elli had said that Shelli’s favorite thing was ice cream, so Audrey decided to make Ice Cream Infused Cupcakes. With the delectable yellow cake as a base, she made a cake batter flavored ice cream to go on top as the ‘cake’ part. Whipped cream and pink sprinkles adorned the top and according to Aiden, they were fantastic. Audrey was so excited for everyone to taste them and see what they thought.

The best part of making cupcakes is the reaction to them.

Pulling into the Adler’s circular driveway, Audrey parked behind a little red convertible. She walked around her car, opening the doors as Aiden came up beside her, bouncing with excitement.

“Shelli is gonna love her cupcakes!”

Audrey smiled, “I hope so! Can you do me a favor and go get Mr. Shea, or Mrs. Elli, so they can help me?”

“I can help.”

Audrey jumped at the sound of Tate’s voice. She turned to see him towering over her, looking so freaking good that she found herself over heating in the cold Tennessee air. He looked amazing in a dark grey cardigan that covered a white button up shirt. He wore khaki pants with dark boots. His outfit wasn’t what Audrey was looking at it, though. It was his eyes. They were always so bright, and with his hair falling into them, Audrey was finding it hard to form coherent thoughts. But then she noticed that he hadn’t shaved.

For the love of God.

It didn’t matter how many times she mentally reiterated that they could only be friends, she couldn’t help but think that Tate was looking way more delectable than the cupcakes she had spent hours concocting.

She wanted to lick him like she did the frosting of her cupcakes.

Mmmmm…what a fantastic thought.

“Hey Tate!” Aiden exclaimed before jumping up to high five Tate.

“Hey bud,” Tate said with a wide smile. He ruffled Aiden’s hair before looking over at Audrey, “Hey Audrey, can I help?”

Audrey could only nod as she moved out the way for him to grab the four platters of cupcakes that sat on her front and back seats. Tate and Aiden made their way inside as Audrey finished. She then took a deep breath. That boy was too damn sexy for his own good.

Jeez.

“Hey.”

Audrey turned to see Piper coming up behind her. She was wearing a pair of tight jeans and a large sweater that hung off her bare shoulders. Her hair looked like a bird’s nest on top of her head, and she had large sunglass covering her eyes. Audrey could also tell that she skipped putting on makeup.

“Bless your heart! Pipe you look like death,” Audrey said as Piper stopped beside her.

Piper nodded, “I just don’t understand why beer messes me up so bad. I feel like poo.”

“Aww, you poor thing,” Audrey said, wrapping an arm around her best friends shoulders. “I made yummy cupcakes that will make you feel better, come on.”

“Ew. No. Please, don’t make me eat them.”