Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
+25 BONUS
“Okay, umm…” I began, glancing at Ethan and Aunt Linda before looking back at Robbin. “So, the company is sending me to New York for a fashion contest and also a project. It’s a really big opportunity. The project could take almost a year to complete.”
“Really?” Robbin asked, his eyes wide with surprise. “That’s… that’s huge, Tash. I’m so proud of you.”
Aunt Linda beamed. “This is a wonderful opportunity for you, love. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
“Well,” Robbin said, a hint of a smile on his lips, “I guess we’ll be heading in the same direction, but at different times.”
I looked at him, curious. “What do you mean?”
He took a breath. “I’ve got some news of my own. I’ve been offered a chance to expand my business to New York as well. It’s not immediate, but it’s in the works.”
“That’s amazing!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were considering expanding.”
“Neither did I,” he admitted with a chuckle. “But it seems like the right move. So when will you be leaving
for New York?” Aunt Linda asked.
“This weekend,” I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
Ethan, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly burst into tears. “No, Mum, you can’t go!” he cried, his little voice trembling. “I don’t want you to leave me!”
My heart ached at the sight of him. I immediately bent down to his level, pulling him into a hug.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I murmured, wiping away Ethan’s tears with my thumb. “I wouldn’t dare leave you behind. Of course, you’re coming with me. You’ll get to go to school in New York while we’re there.”
Ethan’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and relief. “Really, Mom? I get to come wiv you?”
“Absolutely,” I said, smiling at him. “It’ll be an adventure for both of us.”
I turned to Aunt Linda, who was looking at us with a tender expression. “And Aunt Linda would come too… right?” I added hopefully.
But Aunt Linda shook her head, a gentle smile on her lips. “Oh, Tash, you know I can’t,” she replied softly. ” I’ve got my life here in London. My friends, my commitments… But,” she added quickly, glancing at Ethan, I’ll visit as often as I can.”
Ethan looked at Aunt Linda with big, hopeful eyes. “Promise?”
“I promise,” Aunt Linda said, leaning in to give him a kiss on the forehead. “You won’t even have time to miss me because you’ll be having so much fun with your mum in New York.”
Ethan sniffled but managed a small smile. “Okay… if you promise.”
“Cross my heart,” Aunt Linda said, making an ‘X‘ over her chest with her finger.
I watched the exchange, feeling a mix of emotions. It was a big step, taking Ethan and moving to New York, but knowing Robbin would be heading there too made it seem a little less daunting.
1/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter Thirteen
“So, it’s settled then,” Robbin added with a nod, looking around at each of us. “So New York this weekend.”
Ethan beamed, his earlier tears replaced with excitement. “New York, here we come!” he cheered, raising his little fist in the air.
I laughed, ruffling his hair. “Yes, here we come,” I agreed, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation about this new chapter in our lives.
Aunt Linda smiled warmly, though I could see the hint of sadness in her eyes. “I’ll be there to see you off,” she said. “And like I said, I’ll visit whenever I can.”
I gave her a nod of gratitude. “Thanks, Aunt Linda. It means a lot to have you supporting us.”
She waved me off. “Oh, stop it, you. Of course, I’m supportin‘ you all. You’re family.”
That night I couldn’t sleep, so I walked down towards the kitchen, straight to the refrigerator opened it to take a glass of water.
I closed the refrigerator door, the cold water in my glass offering a brief comfort. As I turned around, I bumped straight into Robbin. The sudden collision made me gasp, and the water splashed out of the glass, drenching my nightwear from my chest down.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said quickly, his voice filled with concern, I looked up to see him standing there, shirtless and only in shorts, his eyes wide as he looked at me.
The chill of the water against my skin made me shiver, but it wasn’t just the cold that caused my reaction. I felt a flush of heat rise to my cheeks as I glanced away. “It’s… It’s okay,” I managed to say, trying to gather my scattered thoughts.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, my voice shaky as I tried to focus on something other than his bare chest.
He shook his head. “No, not really. Guess I’ve got a lot on my mind,” he replied, his voice low and smooth.
“You?”
“Same here,” I admitted. “Just needed some water to clear my head.”
Robbin’s gaze was steady, and it made me feel exposed in a way I wasn’t sure I was ready for. “Are you nervous about New York?” he asked.
I nodded, biting my lip. “A bit, yeah. It’s a big change.”
“Yeah, it is,” he agreed, his eyes never leaving mine. “But you’ve got this.”
His words washed over me, filling me with a warmth that I desperately needed. “Thanks, Robbin,” I whispered.
The silence that followed was thick, heavy with the weight of things left unsaid. I suddenly became hyper- aware of how close we were standing, the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the cool night air. Without realizing it, we had moved closer to each other.
His fingers brushed against my arm, sending waves through me. My breath caught in my throat as I found myself leaning toward him. Our faces were just inches apart, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.
Chapter Thirteen
+25 BONUS
Everything seemed to slow down, the world fading away until it was just the two of us, standing in the kitchen in the middle of the night. The tension was palpable, a magnetic pull drawing us together. I knew I should step back, say something to break the spell, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.
All I could do was wait, my heart pounding in my chest, as Robbin’s gaze held mine, searching. questioning, waiting for me to make the next move.
Suddenly, Robbin’s hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer. His gaze flickered to my lips before he began to lean in. My breath hitched as our lips met in a slow, tentative kiss that sent goosebumps to my skin. It felt right, yet it scared me at the same time. Just as the kiss was about to deepen, we were jumped back to reality by a small voice.
“Unc Robbin?” Ethan called out, his voice sleepy and small. We pulled apart quickly, my heart racing as i turned to see him standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
*What are you doing up, mate?” Robbin asked, his voice a little shaky as he tried to recover from the sudden interruption.
Ethan shuffled forward, dragging his favourite blanket with him. “I ‘ad a bad dream,” he mumbled, looking up at Robbin with wide, trusting eyes.
Robbin cleared his throat, glancing at me briefly before crouching down to Ethan’s level. “Oh, I see. Want me to come tuck you back in?”
Ethan nodded, his little face still scrunched up in sleepiness. “Yeah, please, Dad.”
I took a deep breath, my heart still pounding from what had almost happened. “I’ll get you a glass of water,
myself. “I offered, needing a moment to compose
“Fanks, Mom,” Ethan said, his accent making my heart swell a bit. He turned back to Robbin, who was already leading him back to his room.
