She wiggled her body. “Good night, Daddy.”
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Cole was at the stove making eggs when Blake came around the corner.
“You could have warned me. I would have put my earbuds in.”
Cole chuckled. “Sorry.”
Blake snorted. “No, you’re not.” He grabbed a cup of coffee and sat on the other side of the counter where the stools were.
Cole heard a shuffle and knew she was headed toward the kitchen.
Jade came around the corner with her eyes slit open, and he didn’t know if she could actually see. He dropped the spatula into the pan when she fell into him and then cuddled up against his chest.
He wrapped his arms around her. “Are you awake?”
She shook her head.
Cole held her for a long moment.
“Does she even realize I’m right here, and she’s only wearing a thin t-shirt I can see through?” Blake asked.
Cole waited for some sign, got none, and grinned. “Not yet.”
She rubbed her nose against his chest before she raised her head. “Kiss, Daddy.”
Cole leaned down and pressed his lips against her while holding her steady.
“The eggs are burning,” Blake said.
Cole cursed, pulled her against his side, and pushed the pan off the burner while trying to balance on one leg. He rubbed her back a little more. “Come on, baby, wake up.”
“I am.”
“Is she really awake?” Blake said.
“By the way she just stiffened, I’d say yes.”
She went on her tiptoes. “Daddy, why didn’t you tell me he was right there?”
Cole shrugged. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
She turned her head to face Blake. “Good morning, Blake.”
“Good morning, peanut. I like your outfit.”
She looked down at herself, gasped, screamed, and then raced away, making the men laugh.
A few minutes later, she returned in jeans and a shirt. Cole could tell she was embarrassed because of her rosy cheeks and how she wouldn’t look at Blake.
“Why did he call me peanut?” she asked.
“Because you’re about the size of them,” Blake said.
“Baby, he didn’t see anything.”
“Yes, I did,” Blake said with his mouth full of egg.