“Is this okay?” I lift our joined hands and she nods, giving me a small smile. As much as I respect Aria wanting to keep things casual, I need to touch her.
“How about a movie and takeout tomorrow? I would offer to take you out, but I don’t want to leave Jacob just yet.”
“I’d like that.”
“It’s a date, then,” I tease, repeating her words from last night. Her cheeks flush pink and I chuckle, squeezing her hand. I’m looking forward to spending some time, just the two of us.
After eating far too much at lunch, we all head to Blair’s Western Wear in search of a cowboy hat for Jacob. He’s beyond excited when we get to the shop, and he looks adorable in the tiny hat.
“Why don’t you get one too?” Aria says, placing one on my head. She stands behind me while I look in the full-length mirror. “You look hot,” she whispers, her arms snaking around my waist as her head rests on my back. My hand comes over hers on my stomach and our fingers entwine.
“Daddy, cowboy!” Jacob shouts as he runs over to us. I feel Aria try to pull her hand from mine, but I keep a tight hold on her as I scoop Jacob up.
“Let me get a picture,” Libby cries as she looks up, seeing us both with a hat on. “Aria, you need a hat!”
“Oh, no. I don’t need to be in the picture,” Aria insists, shaking her head.
“Of course you do. Here…” Libby reaches down a hat and places it on her head. “There, now smile.” Libby takes a picture, and I can see Aria looks uncomfortable, so I squeeze her hand gently before dropping it, giving her the choice to move away. Before she can, Jacob spots her hat and squeals.
“Ria, cowboy!” he says excitedly, and she bursts out laughing.
“I think you mean cowgirl, buddy.” She chuckles. He reaches his arms out to her and she looks at me, surprise on her face. I nod, and she takes him, putting him on her hip.
“Should we get Daddy a hat too, Jacob?” she asks him, and he nods, dropping his head on her shoulder. He must be tired after only having a short nap in Mason’s truck earlier. Seeing them together makes my heart swell. I reach into my pocket and take out my phone, quickly taking a picture of both of them. Aria sees me and gives me a small smile as her hand goes to Jacob’s back.
“We should get him home so he can have a nap. Do you want me to have him?” I ask, removing his hat as his eyes begin to close.
“I’ve got him,” she says quietly.
After paying for both hats, the five of us head back to Mason’s truck. Jacob isn’t the only one who’s tired as Libby yawns.
“Nap time for you too, Lib?” I joke.
“Yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night; someone was using my bladder as a football.” Her hand rubs her stomach as she yawns again.
“Make the most of whatever sleep you can get now. The sleep deprivation after they’re born is a killer.”
“Worth it though, I’d imagine?” Aria asks, her eyes dropping to Jacob.
“Every second.” My heart breaks for him that his own mother never thought he was worth it. Aria has known him less than forty-eight hours and already has a better relationship with him than he had with Zara. He deserves so much more.
Aria
Tonight is my date with Jack. We might only be watching a movie in his room, but I much prefer that to a night in a restaurant. I haven’t seen much of him since getting back from Marble Falls yesterday. One of the ranch hands was sick, and I’d offered to pick up his workload. I’m finally done for the day though, and I head back to the house to shower and change.
“Hi, Aria,” Claire says as I walk into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “Thanks for all your help the past couple of days. We couldn’t have managed without you.” I wave off her thanks.
“No need to thank me. I’m happy to help out.”
“Any plans for tonight?”
“Oh, erm… I’m having a movie night with Jack. We’re ordering takeout.” I feel my cheeks flush and she raises her eyebrows. “I’d better go and get ready.”
“Have fun.” I give her a wave as I head into the entryway and upstairs. When I reach Jack’s room, I knock lightly on the door.
“Come in,” he shouts. Pushing open the door, I walk in to find a chaotic scene. Jacob’s toys are strewn all over the floor, and Jack is chasing a naked Jacob around the room. He stops when he sees me and grins.
“Hey, Aria. You’re early, right? Or am I running late?”