If I wasn’t already completely, irrevocably in love with this woman, that would’ve been the nail in my coffin, because I am dead-ass serious I have never felt for anyone what I feel for her.
Me: I love you. We’ll see how the evening goes and do what feels right in the moment.
Cece: I love you too. Drive safe.
Five minutes later, Nick and I ring the doorbell, and Cece answers the door with a dazzling smile. She’s changed from the workout clothes she was in, to jeans that fit her like a second skin and a Backstreet Boys T-shirt. My eyes meet hers with amusement, and she lifts a brow.
“What? I thought I would dress for the occasion,” she says, giving me a wink, and then she looks down at Nick. “Well hello there, handsome.” She sticks out her hand. “I’m Cece.”
He smiles shyly. “You work at Dad’s restaurant,” he says, his voice full of recognition, as he puts his hand in hers and pumps it once.
“Well, I used to. But it’s nice to see you again.”
There’s a lot I have to say about that subject, like how I want her to come back to work at the restaurant if she’s still going to insist on having a job. If it were up to me, I’d want her to focus on school while I take care of her. But I’ll hold off until we’re alone, since I know she’s going to put up a fight. I plan on asking her to move in with me instead of trying to find a shitty apartment she can afford on her own too. It might seem to other people like it would be too soon, but fuck, I’ve been in love with this woman for almost a year now, having to keep my distance. And now that I don’t have to, I want to be with her as much as possible, and what better way to do that than to live together?
“Come on in.” She steps back and holds the door open for us to enter, and I kiss her swiftly, leading Nick into the kitchen. All three of Cece’s girls are sitting at the dining table, and their angelic faces lift from their devices to take us in curiously.
Cece breezes past me to stand next to one of the twins, the one who has a cautious look on her face compared to the subtle smiles of her sisters. That must be Lola. “Girls, this is Winston and his son Nick. Guys, this is Lola, Kate, and Ruby.”
Nick waves shyly next to me as I tell them hello, and Ruby hops down out of her chair and hurries over to my boy. She turns her tablet around and holds it in front of Nick for him to see. “Do you like Minecraft?” she asks perkily.
He nods vigorously. “Dad just got me the Pirates of the Caribbean skin.”
Ruby gasps. “Lucky! Wanna play with me?”
“Sure!” Nick replies, and they both take off toward the living room, which is empty aside from four bean bag chairs and a TV.
Kate speaks up, “Ruby said you’re the Winston who used to make us dinner.”
I nod. “That I am.”
“Why’d you stop?” Her tone is accusing, and my mouth opens and closes a couple times before I look to Cece for help.
“I started working at a different restaurant, baby. But don’t worry. If Win has room for me—” She turns her gaze back to me. “—I’d love to go back to working at his restaurant. And then he can cook for you as much as you want.” She gives me a soft smile that makes my heart seize in my chest.
Well, I guess that settles my question about that.
“You’re hired.” I smirk.
“Yay!” Kate yells, and she hops down and runs to where Nick and Ruby are not only playing together, but they’re sharing a bean bag so they can both see her tablet screen. My chest feels funny at the sight of them. It’s like a dream come true. I’ve always, always wanted siblings for my boy, and now, it looks like all my wishes are coming to fruition.
I turn back to the center of my plans for the evening, and stroll forward, pulling out the chair to the right of her and taking a seat.
“So, Lola. Has your mom spilled the beans about my surprise for you tonight?” I ask, humor in my voice as I casually cross my ankle over my knee and lean back, trying to look nonchalant even though I’m a nervous wreck. More nervous than I’ve ever been around a female in my life… and she’s only nine. But I feel like a lot rides on this first impression, and I want it to be perfect.
She shakes her head. “No, sir,” she answers politely.
I nod once, looking at my fingernails instead of at her as I say, “So… did she happen to tell you who she found out my favorite band is?”