“Hunter,” I call out to him. He stops with his back to me but doesn’t turn around.
“Ashton is your one, don’t you think it’s about damn time you fought for her?”
He stiffens and clenches his fists but doesn’t face me.
“I fucked that up a long time ago; there’s nothing left to fight for.” With those last words, he heads over to his station.
I take a deep breath and think about everything he said. I’ve never had to put too much effort into being with a woman, and I’ve never been with a woman with a kid attached, but she’s different, and I want things to turn out right for us. I just have to take things slower than I’m used to. Shit, what am I going to cook? What if Logan has allergies? I am way out of my element here.
“She’s worth it,” I whisper to myself. Before I can give myself more anxiety, Chris, my ten-thirty client, shows up. I come in early for him whenever he books to accommodate his work schedule, and that keeps my mind off the beautiful green-eyed woman who, apparently, has me by the balls without even knowing it.
Chapter Seven
Bailey
"Mom, what time are we going to Gavin's for dinner, and is he going to make mac and cheese?" Logan has asked that same question at least five times within the last hour. To say he is excited is an understatement. He hasn't stopped talking about seeing Zeus since I told him about our dinner plans.
"Bubba, I already told you, we will head over at seven. I'm not sure what Gavin has planned for dinner but we will be thankful for whatever he cooks for us."
I know Logan can sound "annoying," always asking questions, bouncing up and down all over the place, and just wanting to go. He is six, and this is expected, but what most people would never understand is that this isn't "annoying" to me. Logan doesn't frustrate me with his one hundred questions, and so on. Before we arrived in Watermount Falls, Logan was never allowed to voice what he liked or to ask for anything. Logan had to learn to stay quiet and hide in closets. He never laughed or played with any toys or coloring books. He wasn’t allowed to do anything, because he would take it out on me if Logan ever made a mess and would make Logan watch. Logan quickly learned to never speak when he was present and to never get in the way when he took it out on me.
So here, in our new life, I want Logan to be himself. To be the child he's supposed to be. I want him to laugh out loud, to ask questions, and to be curious. I want him to be excited, to live his life, and to never be afraid of doing these simple things.
"Is it almost seven?" He comes to meet me in the kitchen as I pull out the cinnamon apple pie, which happens to be one of my momma’s recipes, that I made to bring over. I look up at the digital clock; it's reading six-forty, just enough time for me to freshen up.
"We have exactly twenty minutes before we have to go." Logan responds with a very excited holler.
"I’m going to take a quick shower. Did you finish the picture you were drawing for Gavin?"
"Yup!" He runs back into the living room to get the drawing to show me. He drew the typical stick figure, one large circle, and one small, which I guess are Zeus and himself. It seems this picture is for Zeus and not so much Gavin.
"It's me and Zeus playing outside.”
"Gavin will love it because he knows how much you love Zeus. Now, did you tidy up your crayons?"
"I'm going to do it now, really quick, and then can we go over?"
"After Momma has her shower."
"Hurry up, Mom."
I rush through my shower and put on a pair of black jeans with a few rips on both knees and an army green off-the-shoulder, long sleeve shirt. It's casual, and in Ash's eyes, "sexy." I debate throwing my hair up, but since it's still wet, I leave it down so it can air-dry. I’m not surprised at all to find Logan at the front door with his shoes on and picture in hand, waiting for me.
"Mom, it's seven, we're gonna be late and Gavin will think we're not coming."
You would think we had to take a three-hour drive and not just a three-second walk. Kids, I tell you.
"Bubba, we have exactly three minutes before it’s seven, we are right on schedule," I say to him while I pick up the cinnamon apple pie and meet him at the door.
"Oh, okay. Sorry, I just want him to like us," he whispers, his eyes shooting down to the floor.
"Hey, look at me, Bubba." I bend down, crooking my finger under his chin and tilting it up so our eyes meet. He's nervous, I can read it all over his little chubby face.
"He already likes us, that's why he invited us over for dinner, there's no need to worry. Just be yourself and remember to say please and thank you."
I kiss his nose, stand back up, and pick up my keys from the key hook by the door. As we step out, the apartment door across from ours opens and out comes Zeus, excited to greet us.
Logan laughs with delight as Zeus gives him wet kisses and does a few circles around him before coming over to me and sits, looking up at me. I reach down and give his head a gentle rub.
"Hey, boy," I say softly. He leans most of his body against my side and just sits there, not moving. I'm a little unsure of what to do at this point.
"He's showing he’s protective of you."
I look up and find Gavin leaning against his open door, smiling that damn sexy smile of his. Does he have to be so darn handsome, even by just leaning against a freaking door?
"Mom, Zeus likes you." Logan breaks through my Gavin-induced fog.
"Yeah, Bubba, looks like it. Should I wait until he moves?" I question since it doesn't seem like Zeus plans on leaving my side any time soon, from the way he's still leaning comfortably against me.
"He'll only move when you do, and don't be alarmed if he follows you around in the apartment. He's become fond of you and wants to protect you," Gavin explains as he waits for me to come inside with his dog.
I take a step forward, and sure enough, Zeus mirrors my steps. Cute, I could have used Zeus back in our old life, for protection.
~Gavin~
When I open my front door to meet Bailey and Logan, she is already in the hallway locking up, and fuck me if she doesn’t have a nice ass. Those tight, black jeans hug it perfectly, making me itch to grab onto and squeeze it. Damn, I need to get my mind out of the gutter or I’ll be sporting a hard-on throughout dinner. As she turns around, I know I’m completely fucked. The green shirt she’s wearing makes her eyes stand out so much it’s impossible not to stare. She’s absolutely stunning and she has no clue. Zeus places himself beside her and is protectively leaning against her legs. I swear, that dog would trade me for these two in a heartbeat. After explaining to her that Zeus is pretty much going to be glued to her from now on, I wait for Bailey to walk past me and get inside my place. As she enters, I can’t help but take a deep breath, inhaling her scent, and damn, she smells like apples and sunshine. I am so screwed.
“We made a cinnamon apple pie for dessert; hope you like it.” She stands in the middle of my living room, looking as beautiful as ever but also unsure of herself. I mentally give myself a shake to put me back in check. She’s my guest; I want her to be comfortable and to want to be around me, not think I’m some sort of creep who just stares at her.
“I love apple pie, actually. You didn’t have to bring anything but I’m happy you did.” I walk closer to her and take the pie from her outstretched arms.
“I’d show you around but I’m sure it looks like your place, just a mirrored layout.” I lead her to the small kitchen to place the pie on the oven then grab the silverware and plates to set the table.
“It smells great in here. I can set the table,” she offers sweetly.
“Nah, beautiful, you’re my guest. Why don’t you grab the beer and sparkling wine that’s in the fridge and make yourself at home with Logan? Dinner will be on the table in five minutes.” She nods her head slightly, and I watch as her curls fall over her shoulders. I really love this girl’s hair. I swear this woman has me all tangled up in knots. If Hunter could see me now, he would never let me
live it down. As I set the table, I look out to the living room and spot Logan sitting on the floor with Zeus. He has a piece of paper in his hand and seems to be explaining what is on it to Zeus, cutest shit ever.
“He spent all afternoon drawing that picture.” Bailey returns with our drinks, and the scent of apples and sunshine follows her, permeating the space between us.
“He said it was for you, but in all honesty, I think it’s for Zeus.” She smiles as she watches her son chatting away at the dog and rubbing his head as he does so.
“It seems Zeus has traded me for you two.” I tease her. She smiles at me, and this time it seems to be a real one, not some forced shit like she gives when she’s working. She really is beautiful. The kind of beauty that isn’t just on the outside but radiates from the inside, too.
“I don’t think Zeus would ever trade you in, but I’m sure he loves the extra love and attention he gets with us around,” she states with that smile still all over her face.
“With you around, hmm. Are you telling me you’re finally gonna give me a chance, beautiful?” I know I’m pushing her with flirting and being direct, but she’s already in my space, and I’ve never seen her this relaxed around me before.
Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink, and she takes a deep breath before answering me. “Yes.”
That’s it. One word. One word to tell me game on. I hold her stare and swear I feel her eyes begging me to kiss her, but before I can move closer, Logan and Zeus come straight at us.
“Momma, look, Zeus loves the picture.”
We both take a step back and give our attention to Logan, who is now holding up what looks to be a half-eaten picture.
“Did you give it to Zeus to eat?” Bailey asks, concern etched on her face.
“No, he just took it in his mouth and never let it go. He kinda slobbered all over it, and it melted away.”
I let out a laugh, while Bailey looks at the deteriorated picture, not sure of what to say.
“Do you want to put the rest of it on the fridge, buddy?” I ask him.
“Really? You don’t mind?” Logan beams up at me. Like I can say no to this kid. “Yeah, buddy, I’m sure. There are a few magnets on the fridge, go put it up and let’s eat.”
“Did you make mac and cheese for dinner?”
Shit.
“Logan, what did we talk about before we left the house?” Bailey goes to stand in front of him and bends down to be eye level with him.
“Whatever Gavin has made for dinner, we’re happy to eat,” he replies in a quiet voice.
Bailey isn’t upset with him, nor is she making him feel bad, she’s just teaching him to be grateful for what others are offering. Damn, I wish I made mac and cheese like I wanted to. I just didn’t think that was the best choice for a first date.
“Hey, no worries. Sorry, bud, but I made lasagna. I hope that’s okay?” I bend down next to them.
“Lasagna is the second bestest food in the world, but mac and cheese is still my favorite.”
“Best food, honey.” Bailey tries to correct him but he just takes his seat at the table as he goes on about how happy he is to be having his second bestest food in the world. Here I was, sweating in fear the kid was going to have a fit.
“Sorry about that. He’s really obsessed with mac and cheese, and I swear, if I let him, he would eat it at every meal,” Bailey laughs while explaining.
“I’m just glad I made his second bestest food.” I tease her. She laughs, and it’s music to my ears. Her eyes crinkle up and seem to brighten up the more she laughs. Beautiful.
“You got lucky with that one.” She teases back.
I love this side of her, so carefree. She’s still a bit guarded, but it’s somehow different.
“Lucky, huh? Are you telling me if I hadn’t made lasagna you would walk out on our first date?”
“Oh, for sure. I mean, if you want a second date, I need to make sure you can cook me a nice meal.” She tries to say this with a stern look but she can’t hold back the smile.
“Good thing my momma taught me how to cook a decent meal, you ain’t got nothing to worry about in that department.”
This time I can’t help myself, I lean in and place a quick kiss on the corner of her lips. She gasps and stays very still. Shit, maybe I pushed a little too much with the kiss, but damn it, I just couldn’t help myself, she’s so relaxed with me. I’m about to apologize when she looks up at me and gives me her signature shy smile then makes her way over to sit next to Logan. Okay, that’s not a bad sign. She smiled and didn’t storm out; we’re still good. Fuck, who would have thought dating could be this difficult.
~Bailey~
He kissed me! Holy shit! Okay, he didn’t really kiss me on the lips but it was still a kiss. I can still feel the tingling where his lips were. He has such soft lips, and the stubble wasn’t rough like I had imagined it would be. I really wish he would have kissed me. Wait! What? Gosh, Bailey, it’s your first date and you already want him to kiss you, with your kid sitting right there! Okay, my inner self has a point. But being in his space without prying eyes is so easy, I feel as if I can just be myself. Hell, I think I was flirting back and he seemed to like it.
“Momma, why are you smiling so big?” Logan asks while Gavin brings the food to the table and begins to serve me, then Logan, and himself last. That was really sweet of him.
I snap out of it and turn to answer Logan in the best way I can, without making a fool of myself. “I’m just happy, Bubba. It was very nice of Gavin to invite us for dinner and go out of his way to cook for us.”
“And he made my second bestest food in the whole world. How did you know, Gavin?”
Logan begins stuffing his face. I stop him to tuck in his napkin at the collar of his t-shirt and then let him get back to his dinner.
“Well, bud, it’s one of my favorite foods, too, believe it or not.”
I look up at Gavin and he winks at me, giving me that sexy smirk. Damn, that man is sexy.
“Wow! That’s so cool.” Logan tries to get out while his mouth is still full of lasagna.
“Bubba, what did I say about speaking with your mouth full?”
Logan chews, then swallows before answering, “Nobody wants to see the volcano in my mouth.” He looks over at Gavin. “What’s your bestest food in the whole wide world?”
“My favorite food in the universe is mac and cheese.”
I have to hold back my laugh, knowing he’s just saying that to make Logan love him even more, silly man. Logan’s eyes are practically popping out of his eye sockets from this new information Gavin just fed him. This time, before Logan speaks, he wipes his face and takes a couple of sips of his orange juice.
“You love mac and cheese? Mom, did you hear that?” He’s so excited that even Zeus is now standing up beside his chair.
“Yeah, Bubba. You guys have something in common.”
“Maybe one day you can come over to our house and have mac and cheese with us. Mom makes the bestest.”
Oh, my sweet boy. How he just threw me under the bus without even knowing. I don’t have time to say anything before Gavin jumps in and accepts the invitation.
“That would be great, bud. Thank you.” He then throws another wink my way before getting up to clear the table.
“How about I help clean up since you cooked for us,” I say while heading into the kitchen.
He comes up behind me, and I can feel his breath right at my neck. “How about you grab some plates and forks so we can have some of that apple pie you brought over.” His voice has dropped to a sexy whisper and it gives me chills.
Here I thought I had the whole sure-self thing down pat, but when he’s this close to me, I can’t form a damn word. I manage to nod and busy myself with the pie, bringing it to the table. Logan is back in the living room, sitting on the floor where he’s giving Zeus lots of love, and obviously, Zeus is eating it up.
“Bubba, would you like some pie?”
“Yes, do
es Gavin have milk?” Logan sits back in his chair while Zeus retakes his spot next to him. Gavin must have heard because he appears with a jug of milk and three glasses.
“Can’t have apple pie without milk.”
Logan just nods his head and smiles from ear to ear. If I had any concerns about Logan getting along with Gavin, tonight proved there were none. Not only does Logan seem to really like Gavin, but Gavin appears to be taken with my boy too, and that just makes the butterflies in my tummy go crazy.
“What kind of movies do you like to watch, bud?” Gavin asks.
Logan stops with his fork midair and thinks about it. Unfortunately, Logan hasn’t watched many movies. We have a TV but I don’t have cable yet since that would be an extra bill. Ashton had an old DVD player that she generously gave to us with some DVDs consisting of movies like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, which happens to be my favorite.
“Momma likes Beauty and the Beast, and I really like it too, but I like Aladdin bestest because the Genie is really funny.”
Oh, sweet Lord, did he have to say that out loud? I sneak a peek at Gavin, and he has that sexy smile on his face that just makes all my insides melt.
“I have both, do you want to watch one of those or a new one?”
What? Did he just offer to watch a cartoon movie?
“Really? Which other ones do you have?” Logan asks, his face split in a bright smile.
I have never seen this kid smile so damn much. It makes everything I had to endure before worth it. I know most people would think I’m crazy for thinking like that, but Logan is everything to me, and I would die a thousand deaths to make sure he remains safe and protected. I must have been completely lost in thought because the next thing I know, Gavin is sitting real close to me, to the point our thighs are touching, while Logan is picking out a movie in the living room.
“Hey,” Gavin whispers and reaches his hand to the back of my neck, making me look into his eyes. This close, I can see gold flakes are mixed in with the dark chocolate, making his eyes almost a melted caramel color. It’s captivating, and I already know I can get lost in them for hours. His dark hair that he keeps short around the back but the top a bit long falls slightly over his left eye, where he has a small diamond stud piercing. I’ve never been one for men with piercings, but with Gavin, it definitely works. His defined jawline always sports that five o’clock shadow and those lips, the bottom one slightly fuller than the top, has me desperately wanting to feel them pressed against mine.
Just Breathe Page 3
