I don’t even remember my fucking prom, but I damn sure wished I could’ve asked Tiff to it.
“Wow,” he says, taking her in. “You look incredible.”
Pfft. As if she doesn’t know that already.
“Thank you.” Tiff's voice is quieter as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
My fists are clenching at that tiny compliment.
You did this,I remind myself.You’re the reason she’s going on this date.
“I, uh, got these for you.” He pushes the roses in her direction, and Tiff lets out a surprised sigh. “I got pink because Ella told me they’re your favorite color.”
Now you’re dragging my daughter into your flirting?
“Oh, these are beautiful. Thank you so much, Reese.” She smells the flowers and I hear her soft, approving hum from here. “Let me just put these in water,” she says, and turns back toward the kitchen.
Our eyes meet for a split second as she crosses the kitchen island, and I see it. The apologetic look on her face, or at least, that’s what I think I see. I could just be projecting.
She finds a vase, arranges the roses quickly, then returns to the door where Reese is waiting with his hand extended.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Ready,” she confirms, placing her hand in his.
They leave, the door closing softly behind them, and I'm left standing in Zach's living room with my daughter and the crushing realization that I just sent the woman I'm falling for on a date with another man.
“Jamie?” Ella's voice pulls me back. “Can we watch the movie now?”
“Yeah.” I force myself to move, to function, to be present for the little girl who deserves my attention. “Of course.”
The credits of Iced Out roll for the second time tonight, and Ella's still wide awake beside me on the couch, her energy apparently infinite. She's wrapped in her favorite snowflake blanket and clutching her stuffed rabbit as she leans into me.
“Again?” I ask with a raised brow, already knowing the answer.
“Please!” She bounces on the cushion. “Just one more time!”
I glance at the clock. 8:47. She really should be in bed, but Tiff told me she could stay up since she was with me. It will be atleast an hour before Tiff comes back, and that’s only if they don’t go to dinner.
Bet they’re having a great time right now. He’s probably holding her waist while dragging her across the dance floor. Reese seems nice, but he hasn’t had ballroom lessons since he was eight, so he’s probably using that stupid charming smile of his to get on her good side.
You know what? Another watch of Iced Out is definitely better than thinking about that.
“Alright, one more time,” I say, reaching for the remote. “But we can’t go much later, otherwise your mom isn’t going to be happy that I kept you up so late.”
“Yay!” Ella claps her hands, then settles back against me as I put the popcorn on my lap.
I draw my hand around her shoulders and play with one of her little blonde pigtails. Everything about this moment is perfect. Well, mostly. Tiff being here would make it better, but having all this time to spend with my daughter has been more than I could’ve ever expected before coming here.
The opening sequence starts, so I grab a handful of popcorn and stuff it in my mouth. That’s when Ella tilts her head up to look at me, her expression suddenly serious.
“Jamie?”
“Yes?” I say, swallowing down the popcorn.
“Are you a prince?”
I nearly drop the remote. “What?”