“Why don’t we have a swim later?” he says, but there is mischief in his eyes. Warm need moves through me, and when his thigh brushes mine, my thoughts go off in a million directions. With my body growing needy, I stand, flip the burgers and hurry inside to whip up a salad. I glance out the window, and Daisy is now awake. Jonah is lifting her over his head and she’s grinning at him. My heart wobbles at the cuteness.
“Quinn,” he calls out, and I run outside. “I think she likes me,” he says, the childlike enthusiasm in his voice making me laugh.
“I told you it would just take time.”
He winks at me. “I’m used to women liking me sooner than that. Well, except for you. It took you ten years to like me.”
Oh, if he only knew.
He holds Daisy up again and she breaks out in a big smile.
“Careful, Jonah,” I warm. “You’re holding her over your face, and she’s a wet burper.”
“Oh, Jesus,” he says and puts her back on his lap. We both laugh, and I point at him.
“Language.”
“Shit, right.” He climbs from the edge of the pool. “Can we help you with anything?”
“Why don’t you set the table, things are just about ready.”
He sets Daisy in her car seat and she plays with the rubber rings, her big blue eyes bright and shiny, like she had a good day with Jonah. My heart warms at that as I load the plates with our burgers and salad. I carry them to the table, and Jonah is about to sit across from me when his phone pings. He hesitates, like he’s not sure whether to answer it or not.
“You’d better get it,” I say. “It could be about Daisy.”
He looks at the caller and frowns, and my heart jumps. Is it Shari, wanting to come back for her daughter? Jonah scratches his head, then slides his finger across his phone.
“Hey Katee,” he says, and our eyes meet. “No, no, I’m fine. Really.”
I sit there and try not to listen to his conversation, but it’s impossible.
“Quinn is here.” A pause, and then, “That’s right, Zander’s sister. She’s a daycare teacher. She’s helping me.” He picks up his fork and toys with it, an uncomfortable look on his face. “Katee, I’m fine. You don’t need to come here.”
I take a drink of my water, and when he’s finally able to get her off the phone, he looks at me.
“Sorry about that.”
“Everything okay?” I ask as he sits across from me.
“Yeah, that was Katee. News certainly spreads fast. My phone has been pinging since Saturday morning, lots of offers to help.”
“How nice that she wants to help you out,” I say, and stab my cucumber, hating—absolutely hating—the jealousy rising up inside me. “Maybe you should take her up on that.”
“Why would I take her up on that when I have you?”
“Not for long,” I say, and my stomach clenches. I’ve only been here for three days, and I’m already growing to like every moment with these two.
“I know, you keep reminding me,” he says, then he picks up his knife and redirects. “I usually eat at the island,” he says, and we both glance at the marble countertop, to the spot where he pleasured me. My thighs quiver at the memories, and our gazes meet. He shakes his head, like he’s shocked at the turn his life has taken. “Then again, I’m doing a lot of things I’ve never done before.” He looks down at his food, his mood changing. “I have to say, I’m a little scared, Quinn,” he admits honestly, and my heart goes out to him.
He’s not the only one who’s scared. When I see him holding his baby, making her smile, it draws me in a little deeper, has me thinking about my future…one where kids and a husband do exist. Only problem is, when I visualize that little scenario, both Daisy and Jonah figure prominently.
9
Jonah
I listen to Quinn talk to ‘baby talk’ to Daisy, as I load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. Her sweet whispered words bring a smile to my face, but they also make me wonder why she’s so adamant that she doesn’t want a family of her own. Zander is the opposite. Sure, he’s young and playing the field right now, but he talks about settling down in the future. I can see him with a kid. He’d make a great dad. Way better than me, that’s for sure.
I turn the dishwasher on and head into the living room to find my girls playing on the sofa.