Meet Hate: A Sweet Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Meet Cute Series Book 3) by Abi Sabina

Author:Abi Sabina [Sabina, Abi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-01-18T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Hayes

“Who’s that?” Auggie asks when we sit back down.

My eyes snap toward Ellie on cue like a robot programmed to search for her. She’s laughing at something a guy said. The same pang of jealousy hits me, like when I saw her with Jack, but it’s obvious that these guys are all paired off.

She’s the single one in the group, and I allow myself a moment to imagine what it’d be like to sit there with her, my arm around her shoulder and her smile directed at me.

“Uncle Hayes?” Auggie snaps me out of the short-lived—and inappropriate—daydream.

“Sorry. That’s Ellie. Her family owns the farm.”

“The cow lady?” His eyes round in hope. He’s been begging me to go see the farm. “Let’s ask her if I can go. Pleeease. Come on, Uncle Hayes.” He stands, pulling my arm with a force an eight-year-old shouldn’t have.

Has he been working out or something? I’m pretty sure that’s not healthy for a young boy. Something about stunting his growth and hormones.

Hormones. I’m going to have to deal with those when he’s older.

At random times it hits me that I am responsible for this boy longer than at this moment, and I seek Sadie’s advice. Then, I’m hit even harder with a wave of grief I need to swallow down.

“She’s with her friends.”

“Aren’t you friends? You sleep in her house.”

Everything is so black and white in the mind of a child.

“Not exactly. It’s different.” I look at him as he pulls tightly. His hand slips, and I grip his wrist with my other hand to avoid him hitting the ground too hard.

“Are you okay?” I lean forward on my knees to inspect him.

“I’ll be okay when you ask the nice lady if I can go see her animals.” He pouts, and in this moment, he looks so much like Sadie when she was a little girl.

“You’re something else. One day that cute face won’t get you what you want.” Again, when hormones arrive and he gets the teenage zits.

My stomach drops. Can I do this alone? I have my parents, but they won’t be around forever.

“You’re the best!” He hops around.

I close my eyes, inhale courage, and make my way to the woman who’s gone from stranger to danger for my heart.

“Come on.” Auggie pulls me in Ellie’s direction.

One of the guys spots me when I’m still a few feet away and says something that causes Ellie to turn around. She narrows her eyes but relaxes them when she sees Auggie. Interesting. Does she have a sweet spot for kids? That thought makes my stomach contract in that odd sensation that’s a mix of joy and fear.

“Did you decide to join us?” Her friend speaks up.

“Uh … not quite. Sorry to interrupt.” I look at Ellie.

Everyone else’s eyes burn into me hotter than the sun on my back.

“Auggie has been asking to see the farm. I told him it was impossible since it’s closed today and tomorrow.” I widen my eyes in hopes she catches my signs.

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