Chuckling to myself at just how eerily alike Imogene and Julia truly were, I wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head, cutting her off.
“It’s okay, Imogene.” I pulled back. “Or would you prefer I call you Mo?”
“Either is fine.”
“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Imogene.” I smiled, then glanced in Julia’s direction. “And it’s nice to see the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”
“What do you mean?” Imogene tilted her head to the side at the same time as Julia, both their noses wrinkled in confusion.
I shook my head, laughing under my breath. “You both ramble when you’re nervous.”
“Oh.” Imogene fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
“But there’s no need to be nervous around me. Or to view me as anyone other than someone who’s crazy about your mum. Okay?”
“My mum,” she chuckled, mimicking my accent.
“Yes. Your mum.” I played up my Australian a bit.
“Now, what would you like to drink? Orange juice okay?”
“Perfect.”
With a smile, I opened the refrigerator and grabbed the juice, pouring some for Imogene and placing it on the round, bistro table in the breakfast nook where I’d already arranged three place settings. Then I returned to the stove, removed the last batch of pancakes from the griddle, and added them to the plate.
“Let’s eat,” I announced, following Julia and Imogene to the table. I set the pancakes in the center and sat down, Julia to my right, Imogene to my left.
I watched as Imogene piled a bunch of pancakes onto her plate and covered them with syrup. As she took a large bite, all I could do was pray I hadn’t fucked up the recipe.
When she closed her eyes in appreciation, I released a small breath of relief.
“Thanks for this,” Julia whispered into my ear, her nearness causing a stirring deep in my belly.
I glanced her way, seeing her eyes twinkling.
In that one look, I knew she wasn’t simply thanking me for making breakfast, something I tried to do for her every morning we spent together.
Her gratitude went beyond that. Went to the way I made an effort with Imogene.
I could have easily taken the out she’d given me. At my age, dating someone with a teenage daughter was asking a lot.
Especially since I’d spent the past five years avoiding relationships. Avoiding connecting with people in general.
If my past had taught me anything, it was that nothing in life was perfect. We simply had to make the best out of what we had.
And I loved what I had with Julia.