Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 33

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

(Sabrina’s POV)

+25 Points

I wake up at six in the morning, my heart racing like I’m fifteen again and getting ready for my first

real date.

Which is ridiculous. I’m a thirty-two-year-old divorced mother. I shouldn’t be this nervous about spending the day with a man I barely know.

But my hands are shaking as I stand in front of my suitcase, pulling out outfit after outfit and tossing them onto the bed.

The blue sundress? Too casual. The black dress from dinner? Too formal. The white linen pants?

Too-

“Stop it,” I mutter to myself. “You’re being insane.”

But I can’t stop. Because this feels important in a way I can’t explain. Like today might change something fundamental about my life, and I need to show up as the best version of myself.

I finally settle on a soft coral dress-nothing too fancy, but it makes my skin look warm and brings out the gold in my eyes. I pair it with sandals first, then switch to wedges, then back to sandals, then finally wedge heels because they’re a compromise.

Makeup takes another twenty minutes. Not too much-I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard- but enough to cover the dark circles and make my eyes pop. A touch of mascara. Some blush. Lip gloss that makes my mouth look fuller without being obvious about it.

When I finally look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself.

The woman staring back at me is… pretty. Not in a magazine-perfect way, but in a way that feels real and vibrant and alive. Her eyes are bright. Her smile is genuine. She looks like someone who might be worth getting to know.

When’s the last time I looked like this?

The thought hits me hard, bringing tears I have to blink away quickly before they ruin my mascara. Before Jake was born, maybe. Back when Dustin and I were still new enough that he’d notice when I wore a new dress or tried a different hairstyle. Back before I became invisible to him, just the woman who made his dinner and raised his child and provided creative ideas he could claim as his

own.

After Jake arrived, I stopped trying. Told myself it was normal. That all married couples fall into

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comfortable routines where appearance doesn’t matter as much as partnership and raising kid

together.

But looking back now, I see the truth I was too scared to admit.

Dustin stopped looking at me long before I stopped trying.

He was never interested. Never saw me.

I was a mere distraction from his breakup with Jessica.

The tears come harder now, and I grab a tissue, dabbing at my eyes carefully.

“Stop it,” I tell my reflection firmly. “Your tears are precious. They’re not going to be wasted on a scum like Dustin anymore.”

I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders.

From now on, I’m going to dress up and take care of myself whether or not there’s a man in my life. I’m going to look in the mirror and see someone worth worth loving, even if that someone is just

I apply a fresh coat of lip gloss, check my reflection one more time, and head out to meet Jason.

way that

He’s waiting by the main atrium, and when he sees me, his whole face lights up in a way makes my stomach flip.

“You look beautiful,” he says, and it sounds genuine. Not obligatory or automatic, but like he really

means it.

“Thank you.” I smooth down my dress self-consciously. “You look nice too.”

He does. Dark jeans and a crisp white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. Casual but put-together. The kind of effortlessly handsome that probably comes naturally to him.

“Ready for our date?” he asks, offering his arm.

I take it, trying to ignore how right it feels. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. But I think you’ll like it.”

He leads me through the ship, past the pools and restaurants and entertainment areas, to a part of the vessel I haven’t explored yet. We stop in front of a door marked “Gallery.”

“The art gallery?” I ask, surprised.

“You mentioned you love art. I thought we could spend some time here before it gets crowded.” He opens the door, gesturing for me to go first.

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The gallery is stunning.

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Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the morning light, illuminating dozens of paintings displayed on pristine white walls. Some are modern and abstract, all bold colors and geometric shapes, Others are classical-landscapes and portraits that look like they belong in museums.

I drift toward the first painting without thinking, drawn by the colors and composition. It’s a seascape, all blues and greens and whites, with waves that look so real I can almost hear them

“This is incredible,” I breathe.

Jason comes to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth of him. /The ship has a rotating collection. They partner with galleries around the world to showcase emerging artists.” “That’s amazing.” I move to the next painting-an abstract piece that somehow captures the feeling of joy in swirls of yellow and orange. “I used to paint, you know. Before-”

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