The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 294

They both spun around to see Oliver striding toward the elevator.

“Hayden, Suzie hasn’t agreed to marry you. What do you think the children would think if they heard you say that? Have you considered Suzie’s feelings at all?”

Hayden shot a quick glance at Suzie, who was visibly uncomfortable.

Meeting Oliver’s glare, Hayden offered a faint smile. “Oh, you’re here. Where’s Stella?”

Just then, the elevator arrived.

“Hayden, Oliver, let’s just go upstairs,” Suzie interjected quickly, stepping inside to wait for them.

Hayden, playing the gentleman, extended his right arm. “Mr. Cross is our guest. Please, after you.”

Oliver shot him a look before stepping into the elevator, deliberately standing close to Suzie.

As Hayden followed them in, he glanced over and, with a flourish, reached out to ruffle the top of Suzie’s hair. “You must be tired today. I’ll give you a massage tonight.”

Suzie froze, her eyes darting nervously toward Oliver, whose face had already darkened considerably.

Thankfully, the elevator reached their floor quickly. The moment the doors opened, Oliver rushed out.

In a hushed voice, Suzie said, “Hayden, don’t you think provoking him like this is a little too much?”

Hayden glanced down the hall and saw Oliver had already reached the apartment door. He whispered back, “The more we provoke him, the sooner he’ll give up for good. It would be best if you acted affectionate toward me on your own. I’m a man; I know how men think.”

Suzie nodded uncertainly. “Okay.”

Hayden stepped out of the elevator and crooked his arm. “Here, take my arm. You can let go when we get to him.”

The three sweet-voiced children scrambled over each other at the entryway.

Suzie’s heart melted instantly. The exhaustion from her long day and all her messy, negative emotions vanished without a trace.

She immediately crouched down, handing off her bag, slipping into her slippers, and taking a sip of juice. Then she gathered all three of them into her arms, kissing each one in turn.

After their sweet reunion with their mother, the three toddlers politely chorused, “Hello!” Then they scrambled to get slippers for their two guests.

The oldest, Zayn Sterling, announced, “Welcome to our home! Stella is already waiting for you.”

The middle child, Zeke Sterling, while secretly eyeing the gift bags in their hands, added, “Welcome to our home! My tummy is rumbling, I’ve been waiting for you.”

The youngest, Zoey Sterling, wriggled out of Suzie’s embrace. She took Oliver’s hand with one of hers and Hayden’s with the other, leading them inside. As she walked, she chattered nonstop, “Come in, come in, let’s go eat! I learned how to make cookies today! I saved the two burnt batches just for you two.”