It was Friday afternoon, and Jensen was due to pick Elodie up from dance class soon. I dreaded the minutes, counting down to when I would see him again. Dreaded it… and fuck, eagerly anticipated it.
I was pathetic.
After Elodie grew tired of running around the dance studio with the music on, she moved over to me and lay on her back, her head touching my leg. I smiled and played with her soft hair. Elodie had the thickest hair I had ever seen on a two-year-old. And just looking at her now, I had no doubt she would be quite a beauty when she gets older. Jensen would definitely have his hands full.
I almost laughed at the thought.
He had his hands full now.
But he seemed to be handling it well.
Hell, better than I thought most men in his position would. That was why I didn’t understand why he wanted to bring the complication of a relationship with me into the mix.
Why was he so persistent?
And why now?
My phone rang and I pulled it out just as Elodie moved over to me and climbed on my lap. She smiled at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I smiled back, pulling her in closer. It seemed she flourished under physical touches. I couldn’t deny her any of it, especially when she was smiling up at me with so much trust in her eyes.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Emilia.”
I hadn’t checked to see who was calling, and I hadn’t prepared myself to hear Jensen’s voice on the other line.
He sounded just as alluring on the phone as he did in person. I tensed, though I was trying to sound casual when I said, “Jensen. Is everything okay?”
He let out a sigh. “No. I’m sorry to do this, but something came up at work. I won’t be able to pick Elodie on time today.”
“Oh,” I said, looking down at the little girl in my arms. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel about this. On one hand, he shouldn’t have done it. I wasn’t anything to Elodie, and he was only paying me to teach her how to “dance,” not be her nanny.
But Elodie had quickly moved her way into my heart. I didn’t know how to be mad at the fact that I might have to spend a little more time with her than the agreed upon time.
“That’s okay,” I finally said. “Why don’t I… take her home with me and you can pick her up there when you’re done.”
“Are you sure?” I knew by the sound of his voice he hadn’t planned this. It softened my heart and made me certain of my decision.
“Yeah,” I said, tightening my arms around her. “I’m sure.”