“Or half the hockey team,” Cole says. He reaches in to the cupboard and pulls out a bunch of plates as the women arrange the casserole dishes and remove the covers. “Rider will be pissed that he’s missing out.”
I reach for the silverware, and Jamie comes back from upstairs and stands next to me. “You okay with all this?”
“Absolutely. It’s just been Chase and me for too long. I like your friends, Jamie.”
He lightly touches the small of my back. “Okay, good,” he says, and I have to say, I like the way he checks in on me.
“I can’t say they have good timing, though,” I tease with a grin.
“Come on down for breakfast, kids,” Luke says, from the bottom of the stairs, and it sounds like a of herd of elephants on the ceiling as the hungry crew come running. We plate food up for the kids and set them up in the living room to watch Paw Patrol while they eat. Once they’re settled, we make our plates and sit at the table.
“This all looks amazing,” I say and put a dash of salt on my food.
“Tomorrow morning, breakfast at my place,” Quinn says and point her thumbs at herself. “I am not cooking.”
I scoop some scrambled egg onto my fork and slide it into my mouth. “Mmm, delicious,” I say and note the way Jamie is watching me eat. There’s a hunger in his eyes but it’s not for food. A thrill goes through me. Damn, I love the way he stares, the incredible, confident way he makes me feel about myself.
“It’s daddy/daughter, daddy/son day,” Sam says to me. “That means we’re kid-free for the afternoon. We’re all going antiquing later. We’re hoping you can join us?”
I blink rapidly. “I…I can’t. I have Chase. He doesn’t have…”
All those around the table go quiet, and Sam’s eyes go wide, full of regret. She touches my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean. I was just thinking Jamie…”
Not wanting anyone uncomfortable, I put on a smile and say, “It’s okay.” I steal a glance at Jamie, who is watching me carefully. My stupid heart beats a little faster as I imagine him stepping into that role. But that’s crazy. I only ever wanted him to be a positive role model for Chase. Not a father.
I think…
“I’ll take him,” Jamie says with a shrug. “I wanted to go fishing this week, so today would be a good day. There’s a stocked lake not too far from here. We’ll catch dinner for everyone.”
“The only thing you’ll catch down at the lake is a bunch of fly bites,” Luke goads.
Jamie, never one to back down, glares at Luke, his eyes narrowing in challenge. “Care to put your money where your mouth is?” he shoots back.
“Damn right,” Luke says. “Whoever catches the biggest bass wins, and the others cook dinner.”
“I think Brandon and I would like to get in on that,” Cole says.
“Scotty and I would too,” Jonah says.
Zander laughs. “It’s not Daisy’s thing, but as long as she doesn’t have to touch any worms, and I buy her a chocolate ice cream, she’ll be happy to come along.”
As the conversation turns back to the contest, the men all start telling tales about past fishing experiences. Beneath the table, Jamie’s hand lands on my leg, and he gives a squeeze.
My gaze goes to him, and I ask, “You sure you don’t mind?”
“Absolutely. Go have fun.”
I smile at him and Jonah says, “Get a room.”
I shake my head as everyone laughs, and we settle in to finish our meals. The guys start talking hockey, naturally, and I turn to Katee. “Are you looking for baby things today?”
“I am. Although I have to get neutral colors. We’re going to wait to find out the baby’s sex.”
“I did that too,” I say and remember back to when Chase was born. Ethan was in the delivery room with me, but Jamie was out in the waiting room, pacing like a crazy man. He was the first to set eyes on his nephew.
“All this talk of pregnancy is making me think,” Quinn says and puts her hand over her stomach.
“I know,” I say and do the same without even realizing it.