Home?
Well, not my home, but Jonah’s home. I crack the window and let the warm breeze fall over me as I drive. When I reach Jonah’s place, his car isn’t in the driveway. Although it could be in the garage.
I park and walk up to the front door to find it locked. Unease worms through me, and I knock. Could they be inside sleeping? If so, I don’t want to wake them up. Then again, maybe he’s at the drugstore. I spin around and shade the late-day sun from my eyes as I figure out my next move. Should I call Zander? He has a key to the place. I pull out my phone, and I’m about to dial
when Jonah’s car comes down the road at a snail’s pace.
I hurry down the stairs and meet them in the driveway. “Everything okay?” I say, working to keep my voice casual as I glance into the backseat, seeing a sleeping baby.
Jonah climbs out looking ragged and unkempt, with his hair a mess and food stains on his shirt. I’ve never seen him like this, but he looks so damn adorable. Wait, is that dried milk in his hair?
“She was exhausted, and I couldn’t get her to sleep,” he explains.
I grin. “So you took her for a ride.”
“Yeah, I googled it.” He opens the backseat and unhooks the baby seat, keeping Daisy in it.
“Did you get the cream for her rash?”
“Yeah, and do you think Pampers or Huggies are better? I wasn’t sure and was going to text you, but decided to buy both.” He pops the trunk to reveal two big boxes. I grab them and follow him up the steps. He unlocks the door and carries Daisy in, then turns to me. “I had this made for you today.” He hands me a key to his place. “If you’re going to be staying here, you need your own key.”
I drop the diapers and close my hand around the shiny new key. “Good plan,” I say. Then tease, “Are you sure about this, Jonah? If I can come and go as I please, I might catch you with one of your girlfriends.”
“You’re the only girl in my life, Quinn,” he states flatly. Then he glances at his sleeping daughter. “Well, you and Daisy.” My stupid heart twists at that, then I give myself a good hard lecture.
You don’t want to be his girl, Quinn.
I follow him into the kitchen, take in the mess. He gives me a sheepish look, and it’s so damn adorable, I want to take him into my arms and hug him.
“I’m sorry,” he says quickly. “I know you told me to keep the place clean, but Daisy is quite the handful.”
I truly love how hard he’s trying. “It’s bottles and toys and clothes, Jonah. Not beer bottles and empty pizza boxes.”
“Speaking of pizza boxes. Do you want to order something in?”
Daisy fusses in her seat, and Jonah releases the straps and holds her to him. She instantly settles—and that’s when I think about Carrie’s warning. What will happen if the mother comes back? It’s definitely something Jonah has to consider and be prepared for.
“I didn’t have time to cook for you. This little one is a full-time job.”
“I can make us something,” I say. “We had groceries delivered.” I pull open the fridge. “How about BBQ hamburgers and salad?”
“Works for me.”
He bounces with Daisy in his arms, and I pull all the ingredients from the fridge. “Did you call about the nanny?” I ask.
“She’ll be here tonight around seven.”
A pang of disappointment settles in my gut. “That’s great, and if she doesn’t work out, I have a whole list of names for you. Recommended by the daycare director.”
We step outside and the warm air falls over me. I glance at the big pool in the backyard. “You’re going to have to babyproof that, Jonah,” I say as I light the grill.
“I’ve been thinking the same thing. I have to babyproof the whole house.”
I nod, but then say, “We should wait on that.” In the back of my mind, I can’t help but think Shari is going to show up and reclaim her daughter. Then again, Jonah will likely want visitation rights, and his house will have to be ready for that.
Jonah goes to the pool and sits, dangling his legs in the water. I toss the meat onto the grill, baste it, and then join him. I hike my pants up and dip my feet in.
“That feels glorious.”