I look at myself in the mirror, happy with how I look. My hair was in a low bun, with curled tendrils


    framing my face. Tonight I wanted something different since it was my first ever date with Rowan, so I


    decided on a subtle but sexy, smoky eyeshadow and red lipstick.


    As for my dress, I picked a ck knee–length dress. It has a plunging neckline that is delicately held


    together by thin straps. It highlighted just the right amount of cleave, enough to tease but note out


    as trashy. It had an open back that I was sure would drive any man crazy.


    I continue staring at myself as I run my hand down the soft fabric. The dress was figure- hugging, and


    thanks to being pregnant, I now had curves in all the right ces.


    “Damn, babes… if I wasn’t straight, I would’ve definitely done you.” Letty praised, happiness dripping


    from her voice. “You’re sexy. Hell has nothing on your hotness.”


    “She’s right,” Corrine chimes in.


    They had left a couple of hours ago. We were now on Skype, since I wanted to get their honest


    opinion. This date was important. Like I said, it’s Rowan and I’s first date, so I wanted everything to be


    perfect.


    “Thank you,” I smile at them.


    I take a seat on the bed and put my heels on. I honestly don’t remember thest time I dressed up or


    wore heels. Rowan rarely took me out before, even for work dinners, so I didn’t really have an


    opportunity to dress up.


    I don’t know if that changedter, but I’m guessing it did since I remember how amazing I looked when


    Ethan came to get me. Shaking those thoughts from my mind, I focus on my date ahead.


    “I’m nervous though,” I admit. “What if we don’t click? I know we are married, but what if we realize that


    we aren’tpatible? Or what if something else terrible happens?”


    Damn, this was so hard. A part of me wanted to cancel the entire thing because I was nervous and


    afraid. The other part just wanted to take the risk and just be in the moment.


    I’ve wanted to experience this for so long. I always wanted Rowan to court me, to woo me, but he


    wasn’t interested. Now it’s finally happening, and all I can think of is everything that could go wrong.


    “Stop it, Ava; you’re going to drive yourself crazy.” Letty admonishes me. I see a shadow behind her,


    and I’m sure’it’s Travis since they live together. “Just live in the moment. Take a leap of faith and enjoy


    going out for dinner.”


    Corrine doesn’t say anything, but she shows her approval by nodding her head.


    I take a calming breath before releasing it. “You’re right. I’m just overthinking things.”


    “Exactly. Be happy and enjoy tonight. You deserve to be happy, babe, and you deserve to be with the


    man of your dreams,” Letty gushed, her smile bright and brilliant.


    After we’d talked for a while, we hung up. I take my purse and give myself onest look. Corrine and


    Letty were right. I did look sexy, and I was loving it.


    I head downstairs, where I hear Rowan and Noah before I can see them. Rowan had gotten ready in


    the guest bedroom while I used the masters.


    I was nervous because I was dying to see his reaction. I’ve never dressed up for him, so I know seeing


    me like this will be a surprise for him.


    I find them in the kitchen. Rowan was rocking Iris and blowing bubbles on her belly. She was


    screaming inughter, which warmed my heart. Noah sat next to his father, looking all broody.


    “Are you ready?” I ask, making Rowan look up.


    At first, it’s like his mind goes nk, then he takes a double take, his eyes moving slowly down my


    body. I see him swallow as his eyes darken into dark grey storms. Oh yeah, he definitely liked what he


    was seeing.


    “You’re drooling, Dad,” Noah tells him with a small chuckle.


    I can’t stop the smirk that forms on my lips. Slowly, he stands up and walks the short distance to me.


    Holding Iris with one hand, he uses the other to grab me and pull me flush against his body before


    kissing the daylights out of me.


    I hear Noah groan behind him.


    Using all my might, I pull away from him. “You’re going to ruin my lipstick.”


    “Don’t really care,” he fires back, his eyes still on my lips


    “Are you ready? We don’t want to bete,” I ask him, stepping away from his heat that seemed to want


    to suck me back into his embrace.


    I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the way his eyes seemed to be stuck on me. This is a whole new


    experience. Something I never thought would ever happen, so yeah, I was enjoying this so damn


    much.


    “We don’t really have to go,” he murmurs, his voiceing out throaty and hoarse.


    “You’re the one who wanted this date, big man.” I chuckle, “Soe on, it’s time for us to go”


    He agrees reluctantly before he yells for Teresa. When shees, she takes Iris from his arms.


    “You look lovely, Ava,” she tells me sweetly.


    “Thank you, Teresa.”


    I give Iris a kiss on the head before turning to Noah. He was ring at me, so I guess he was still


    pissed. Still, I pull him to me. He fought me, but I wasn’t going to let go. After hugging him, I give him a


    kiss and tell him goodnight.


    He doesn’t say anything. He just stubbornly folds his arms across his chest.


    “Noah…” Rowan growled his name in warning; he was furious at his behavior towards me.


    “It’s okay”


    I didn’t want anything to spoil the mood tonight, so when he doesn’t say anything, I grab Rowan’s hand


    and turn us around. I’ll give him a bit more time.


    “I’m still mad at you, Mom, but you look really beautiful tonight.” His voice makes me stop and turn


    around. The stubborn arch of his brows was still there, but right now it didn’t matter.


    “Thank you, my love.”


    We leave after that, knowing very well that, with time, Noah wille around. I didn’t need to worry


    because I knew him. He was my son, and this was a way of testing if I would budge and let him have


    his way. Once he realizes that I’m not going to change my mind, he’ll stop being stubborn.


    “So, where are you taking me?” I ask Rowan once we get into his car.


    “You’ll see, I have a couple of surprises for you,” he replies. “I know you think I don’t know you, but I do,


    Ava.”


    I smile, but I don’t say anything. I doubt he knows me. Rowan has never paid attention to me or


    anything that concerned me, so I’m sure he doesn’t know my likes and dislikes, but let’s wait and see.


    I can’t wait to see what he’s nned for tonight.