“Babysitting?” she asks lightly.
“For your salsa classes with Reese.”
Yeah, I’m bringing it up again because I refuse to be that guy anymore. The one who puts all of his wants and needs before the girl he’s dating or trying to co-parent with. It’s exactly what I did to Honey, and it’s time to prove I meant what I said.
She glances at me briefly before returning her eyes to the road. “You were serious about that?”
“Of course I was.” My voice cracks slightly, but I hope she doesn’t notice, and then I shift in my seat to look at her more fully. “I’m excited to be on Ella duty, and you should have some fun with Reese.”
The way her face tightens at the mention of Reese's name doesn't escape me, but I don't know why. She’s probably embarrassed and doesn’t want to admit that she actually has feelings for him. I’m not surprised. It was my first thought when I saw them together at the diner. It’s clear there’s something going on with the two of them, and I need to let her explore that, even if it makes me feel like someone ripped my heart out and threw it across a football field.
Does a tiny part of me hope she’ll go on this date and realize I’m the one for her? Yes, but I’ll keep that to myself. I can’t force her to have feelings for me just because we have a child together.
“Jamie, you don't have to do that. I can get Zach or—”
“I want to,” I interrupt gently. “Besides, what else am I going to do? Sit in my depressing hotel room refreshing my emails hoping someone will just offer me a job without interviewing me?” I force a grin. “This is way better. Ella and I can have a movie marathon. Who knows, maybe I'll finally understandthe appeal of thatMr. Nibbles and mesong Ella is constantly singing.”
That gets a small smile from her. “She'll make you watchIced Outat least three times.”
“I'm prepared for that sacrifice,” I joke, knowing full well it’s not a sacrifice. It’s a privilege to be here, and to be trusted to take care of her.
When the large gates open, Tiff pulls into the driveway, she turns the engine off before glancing at Ella in the backseat. Ella’s completely passed out with her chin resting on her chest. I want to get her in before she hurts her neck.
“I'll carry her in,” I offer, already unbuckling my seatbelt.
Tiff opens her mouth like she's going to protest, then closes it. “Okay. Thank you.”
I ease out of the car and open the back door as quietly as possible. Ella doesn’t stir as I carefully unbuckle her car seat and wrap my hands around her sides to pick her up. Her head immediately rests on my shoulder, and her breath fans against my neck.
I look down at her and smile.
She's so small—so light—so impossibly perfect.
How is it even possible to love someone so much when you’ve only just met them?
I kiss her on the forehead as Tiff grabs Ella’s ballet bag and her purse.
That’s when it hits me. This feeling is so sharp and deep, it’s almost overwhelming.
I’m happy.
For the first time in my miserable fucking life, I’m so fucking happy I can feel it in my bones.
This.
This is what my father tried to steal from me.
Tiff walks by me, fishing for her keys, when I hear someone call out her name.
A man in his mid-fifties in a baseball cap is sneaking through the gates.
I hold Ella to my chest tighter, ready to protect her at all costs.
“Do you know that man?” I ask just as his eyes zero in on Tiff. It’s not a pleasant look in any shape or form.
Who the fuck is this man, and why is he looking at the two people I love most in this world like he knows them?
Tiff freezes on the porch, her face draining of color. “Dad?”