Chapter 20

Marissa's Pov

Sunday morning came with the mother of all headaches. My head felt like it had been run through a meat grinder and my tongue was woolen like someone had crammed a fur ball in when I wasn't looking.

I moaned as I took a look at myself in the bathroom mirror.

I looked like shit. Felt like it too. It'd been a while since I had a girl's night out. Bree was always needling me for it but I had neither time nor inclination. And right now, I was wishing I had kept it that way for longer.

I squeezed my eyes shut as a splitting ache ran from the bridge of my nose to the back of my head. I would never go drinking ever again.

I made a quick cup of instant coffee, black with two sugars, and sipped it slowly as I went over the list of things I had to do that morning. Mrs Quincey would be over soon with the kids so I needed to get as much done as possible.

I managed to fight through the hangover long enough to pick up the vacuum cleaner and hoover half the living room before giving up and throwing myself back under the covers.

Elias hired helps for me from time to time but I always ended up micromanaging them so much I might as well be doing things myself.

I had two blissful hours of sleep before the bell rang, followed by Ashlynn’’s voice screaming, “Mooooom, we're back."

Yay.

I sighed as I trudged to the front door.

Mrs Quincey greeted me with her usual sunny smile, “Marissa, You look awful dear. Rough night?" She winked at me through her big, green rimmed spectacles.

“You can say that." I chuckled, ruffling the twins hair as they ran past me into the house. “Thank you so much ma'am. I hope Asher didn't give you much trouble."

“Oh no. He was sweet as a lamb. And I'm sure he'll continue being sweet throughout today." She said, raising her voice on the last sentence to make sure Asher heard.

“Im sure he'll be good. “ I said , throwing my head back in laughter. " Wanna come in for a bit? “ I asked sweetly. I didn't like her standing outside my door like a stranger even though she always did that. Also, the sun was stabbing me between the eyes and I desperately needed shade.

" No no. I've got a couple errands to run today. “ She replied, waving her hands dismissively.

Me too, I thought to myself with an internal sigh.

I waved Mrs Quincey goodbye and went back in to face my chores for the day.

I ended up having to call Charlotte to come babysit again. I needed to do a grocery run today ahead of the week and I didn't have the energy to take the twins along today.

I took Ashlynn along.

She cried and screamed that she wanted to come with and I firmly told her no but she wouldn't budge. I would've left her behind anyway but I saw the terrified look on Charlotte's face. She would have to deal with the tantrum after I left and I felt bad for doing that to her.

So I let Ashlynn come. She was usually quiet and didn't cause any trouble if she came along on her own. Having her brother with her was another story but thankfully, Asher wasn't interested in coming with us.

“Cinnamon crunchies! Those ones!" Ashlynn squealed as she excitedly pointed at a carton of cereal on the top shelf of the cereal aisle.

“Those specific ones honey?" I asked, internally groaning at the cereal that was out of reach.

“Yes. Carry me. I'll reach it!" She reached up to me from her perch at the front of the shopping trolley.

“I'll get it." A slightly familiar voice said and before I could turn, a hand reached up from behind me and grabbed the box of cereal. “Here you go."

I met his eyes and felt my breath seized up again. The mystery man from the other night stood behind me, holding a box of cinnamon crunch cereal. The white shirt he wore underneath a black jacket stretched taut against a broad slab of well defined chest. Those full lips, chiseled jaw,... How could one man be so handsome?

“H..h..Hi." I stuttered and gasped.

“Hey there. Marissa right?" He gave a smile that made his blue eyes light up and I felt my stomach melt into a gooey puddle.

“Yes. Zayne Blackwood. Funny running into you here." I said after clearing my throat and summoning a little confidence from God knows where.

“Yeah. Just thought I'd come pick a few things." He said, a boyish smile playing on his lips as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His eyes fell on Ashlynn who had gone deathly quiet and was staring at the stranger with blue eyes opened wide in awe.

“Um,....Uhhh…” Zayne stuttered and I saw him visibly trying to…what? Control himself?

“Meet my daughter, Ashlynn. She's a twin. Her brother doesn't like grocery shopping as much." I said with a light chuckle, slowly going to stand protectively at the front of the shopping trolley.

“Right. Um,..hello Ashlynn." His voice was breathless and I couldn't understand why.

“Hello." She raised a hand to wave like I taught her.

I heard something just then. A whine. Like a sad puppy. I looked around but couldn't see any of the other customers holding a puppy or any other pet.

Zayne cleared his throat and blinked rapidly. His shoulders straightened and he bent to shake Ashlynn's tiny hand.

“Nice to meet you, Ashlynn. I have a daughter who's about your age." He said with a smile. The handshake lasted a second longer than was necessary.

“You do?" I asked, incredulously.

“Does she have long blonde hair like me?" Ashlynn asked at the same time.

“She has long black hair. Like me." Zayne raised his hand to pat his own head and this pleased Ashlynn.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement, “Does she have a sister?"

“No. She's an only child." Zayne answered.

Her face fell a little, “I have a brother. But I want a sister too "

“And you'll get one." Zayne replied with an intensity I couldn't recognize.

“Hopefully not anytime soon." I chuckled, making Zayne turn his attention back to me.

He smiled as he stood up to his full height again, “You have a beautiful daughter. As beautiful as you.” He said, his eyes filled with kindness.

“Thank you.” My cheeks burned hot as I blushed pink. “I uh… didn't see you again during the party on Friday.”

" Yeah. Had to leave really early. Had a few,..work duties to attend to." He stuffed his hand into his pocket. “I was sad I couldn't get your number before I left." He cocked his head to the side, those blue eyes holding me enthralled. “Any chance I could get it now?"

“Huh…hmm?" I blinked as if under a spell, “oh yeah,sure.” I collected his phone he held outstretched and punched in my number, mentally kicking myself for behaving like a ditzy again.

“We could do the rest of your shopping together." He offered, “That is if the beautiful princess Ashlyn wouldn't mind." He said, turning to Ashlyn who hadn't taken her eyes off him for a second.

She nodded enthusiastically, her cheeks turning pink.

“I have a tiara!" She added excitedly.

“Ooh, what colour is it?" He asked, walking beside me as I pushed the trolley down the aisle.