“Oh,” Gina said. “Maybe that’s why it didn’t work out.”
I glanced at Jess. Her hand covered her mouth. But the corners of her eyes lifted with amusement. I was glad we were at the point of laughing at my tragic date with Kimberly.
“You may be right,” I said.
“You should go on another date soon,” Gina said.
I stared at Gina, not wanting to see Jess’s expression. Would she want me to date again? Would that get her off the hook about what happened between us last week? “I don’t think so, honey. I think I’m done with dating for a little while.”
“You’re wrong,” she said.
“How so?”
“You’re on a date now.”
I locked eyes with Jess.
“With me!” Gina said and giggled into her hands.
I smirked. “That’s right. We are,” I said without taking my eyes away from Jess.
Jess’s chest heaved as she took labored breaths. It made sense that I thought of Jess during my date with Kimberly. Being here with Gina and Jess solidified my need to have her in my life on a more permanent basis. She turned me on so much and had a genuine love for my daughter. What else did I need in a woman?
> We fell into a rhythm for the rest of the dinner. Being with Jess and Gina was so easy. I never thought anyone could seamlessly move into our lives as well as Jess did.
And when it was time to get the check, I knew there was only one way to prolong our time together.
When we reached the house, the three of us got out of the car. The beautiful weather from yesterday had continued through today. The sun was close to setting along the horizon, and a warm breeze moved through the trees on the edge of the property.
Gina shuffled toward the house. We’d stayed at Eclisse later than I’d expected, but I didn’t want the night to end. Though Gina had been a trooper, I knew she was tired.
“I want to talk to you about something,” I said to Jess. “Can you stay while I put Gina down?”
“Sure,” she said.
As if Gina knew that I was pressed for time, she didn’t fight me about getting ready for bed. I had her down in less than ten minutes.
When I came back downstairs, Jess was sitting on one of the kitchen barstools waiting for me. She stood up when I entered the room.
“We should talk outside,” I said, indicating the door. I knew Gina wouldn’t eavesdrop, but I didn’t want to risk it. Not until Jess and I figured all of this out.
“What did you want to talk about?” Jess asked when we reached her car.
My gaze fell to her lips. She’d reapplied her red lipstick that accentuated her thick lower lip. I remembered sucking on that when we kissed over a week ago.
I blinked a few times and cleared my throat, attempting to concentrate. “I wanted to talk about last week.”
She nodded. “It’s the elephant in the room, huh?”
“Yes,” I said. “I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
She tilted her head to the side.
I took a step closer to her, and she didn’t move. That was a good sign. At least she wasn’t repulsed by me. But I wasn’t sure how much time I had to convince her. “That night. I keep replaying it in my head over and over again. Every time I see you, I see you like you were that night.”
“But, Gina—”
“Gina loves you. There’s no reason we can’t try this.”