I perched up on my elbow, gazing down at her, my hand resting lightly on her hip. Geez, she was beautiful.
Cody Simpson was singing “Love,” and it was impossible not to feel the emotion as I looked at her.
I couldn’t quite form the words, my throat too clogged with emotion. When I’d left Gerry, I had accepted the idea that I may never fall in love again. I wasn’t the type of guy who liked to sleep around. I’d been raised to believe that sex was meant to be saved for a committed relationship and I’d stuck with it.
I guessed that meant Jody and I were in a committed relationship, and as much as I thought that idea might scare me, it didn’t. In fact, I kind of loved it.
Her smile was sweet as she reached for my face, running her fingers through my stubble.
“I love you,” she whispered.
My smile grew to blinding. I was surprised she could still look at me without squinting. I squeezed her hip. “I know, you’ve already told me.”
“What?” Her expression bunched with confusion.
I chuckled, almost wishing I hadn’t said anything. I winced before clearing my throat and getting it over with. “That night you came home drunk after Sean’s birthday party. When I was trying to get your trashed-self into bed, you confessed all.”
Her lips parted, her eyes bulging wide.
I countered her expression with a soft kiss, rubbing my nose against hers. “Hearing you say it out loud, even though you didn’t even realize you were telling me...” I shook my head with a wry chuckle. “It just made me realize that I felt the same way.”
“But that was weeks ago. Why didn’t you do anything about it?”
“I did. I sang you a song and kissed you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I meant, why didn’t you say anything?”
I brushed the back of my knuckles over her cheek. “I wanted the moves to come from you. I didn’t want to be the guy who pressured you. I’d never hurt you, Jo. I never, ever want you to feel forced into anything you don’t want to do.”
Her mushy look made my heart squeeze, her bright blue eyes growing glassy as she wrapped her fingers around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. It was slow and lingering, until her foot skimmed up the back of my leg.
I leaned away from her and she giggled, her eyebrow arching. “How many of those condoms do you have left in your pocket?”
We didn’t have time to find out. Before I could even form my answer, the front door started jiggling. Our bodies tensed in unison, freezing with a split-second of fright before we scrambled into action. Jody plucked my clothes off the floor, throwing them at me and shoving me toward the pantry. Flinging the door back, she pushed me inside, slamming the door closed before I could protest. I had no room to move in the tight black space, so I had to hold my clothes against my chest and hope like hell Jody had managed to throw her dress on in time.
“Man, that door is a pest!” Morgan’s voice filled the room, followed by the definitive whack of a door closing. “You really need to get it fixed, Jo-Jo.”
“Ah, yeah. I know, it’s on my list.”
“Are you okay? You look...flustered.”
“Nope.” Jody accentuated the P, giving herself away.
Come on, girly, you can do better than that, I thought to myself.
“I mean, baking can get me all up the fluster a little.”
Morgan’s voice was narrow and cautious as it drew closer to the kitchen. “I can see that. You’re covered in flour.”
I pressed my lips together, grinding my teeth to stop myself from chuckling. The kitchen looked like a hurricane had blown through it. If only Morgan knew the truth.
My body quaked with mirth. I clutched the clothes, digging my fingers into the material and forcing myself not to lose it.
“So, how’s my Angel?”
I smiled at the sweet tone Jody’s voice took on when she greeted her daughter. Angel squealed and started babbling.
“She needs a change,” Morgan said.
“Okay, cool. I might just go ahead and put her straight into the bath. Would you like a bath, cupcake?” Angel giggled and I could picture Jody lifting her in the air. The continued giggles made me think Jody was throwing her up and down, rubbing their noses together. I recognized the sounds.
“Do you want me to stay and help you clean up?” Morgan sounded reluctant, but from what Jody had said, she wasn’t the kind of person to let misgivings stop her from doing something.
“No, that’s cool. You’ve got a dance class soon, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but if I hurry...”
“No, don’t worry about it. I’ll, um, do it later.”
“O-kay.”
“Morgan,” Jody chided. “The house will be clean for the party tomorrow. Don’t worry about it. As if I’d let Dad walk in and see this.”
“Yeah, sure, but call me if you want me over early, okay?”
“Will do,” Jody sing-songed.
I held my breath, listening for sounds around the room. I heard the creak of what I assumed was the bathroom door and then the front door opened and shut. Letting out a sigh, I shouldered the pantry open, dropping my clothes to the floor and snagging out my jeans.
I didn’t bother with undies, just slid the denim up my thighs and froze still as the front door jerked open again.
“Hey, Jody, I—”
Morgan jolted to a stop, her eyes rounding as she saw me. I quickly pulled my pants up and zipped the fly, clearing my throat and raising my hand in a wave.
“Hey, Morgan.”
Her eyes narrowed, her left hand landing on her hip. I felt like I’d just been caught stealing cookies by the food police.
I forced a smile, scratching the back of my head.
Morgan’s jaw worked to the side, her eyebrow arching as she soaked in the mess of the kitchen. Her eyes bulged, and I followed her gaze, spotting Jody’s bra half-dangling out of the mixing bowl. If she hadn’t worked it out by now she was a bloody idiot, and one thing I knew for certain was that Morgan was sharp as a tack.
She pointed at the cooling cake tins. “Am I gonna want to eat that birthday cake tomorrow?”
I glanced at it. “Oh, um, yeah, no, cake’s good. We...it’s...we were—” My fingers waved over the bench and then the floor, my words evaporating under her stern gaze. “It’ll be good.”
I dug my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels.
Her teeth caught the edge of her lip as she tried to fight a smile, her sharp nose wrinkling.
My chest loosened.
“You know, much to my surprise, I’m actually okay with this.” Her head tipped to the side, her soft expression going hard as she glared at me. “But you break my kid sister’s heart, I break your balls.”
My head shot back in surprise, before bobbing. “I believe you.”
“You should. My fiancé could kick your ass.”
“Got it.” I winked with what I thought was my most charming grin.
Her smile dropped, her expression going steely as she crossed her arms.
I cleared my throat again, vanquishing the charm and going for the most sincere look I could muster. It wasn’t hard; I meant exactly what I was about to say. “I have no intention of breaking Jo’s heart, I promise.”
Satisfied, Morgan nodded and disappeared back out the door. I let out a sigh, sagging against the pantry for a minute. That chick was seriously titanium. Lucky for me, I was one sucker for Jody Pritchett, and after the session we’d just spent together in the kitchen, I was pretty sure I’d be staying that way for a good long while...hopefully forever.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jody
I couldn’t stop smiling. How could I?
I was giddy, gleeful...like a giggling school kid with a major crush. Except this time it wasn’t just a crush, it was full-blown love. A mutual love.
Leo stayed and cleaned up the entire kitchen for me while I settled Angel.
If that’s not love, I don’t know w
hat is.
The door jiggled, and Angel and I turned at the sound, our smiles simultaneous as Leo stepped into the apartment. He grinned at us, his gaze heating with passion as our eyes connected. My belly quivered while my mind replayed the scene in the kitchen from the day before. I’d never be able to look at my kitchen counter the same way again.
Angel’s squeal of delight broke the spell. She wriggled out of my arms. I stood her on her feet, watching her sway. Her arms went up in the air, and she took a few teetering steps forward, going for Leo. She nearly made it, plopping onto her bottom and smiling at our cheers.
“That was five steps, cupcake.” I ruffled her fuzz. “Clever girl.”
Her eight little teeth appeared as she clapped her hands and giggled. Leo picked her up, throwing her in the air and catching her again. She bobbed in his arms, squealing with excitement. It’s like she knew this was her special day.
I’d managed to make her cake, sort of. Actually, I’d kind of mangled it a little. The two butterfly wings were different sizes, the second growing smaller and smaller as I tried to trim the cake to the right shape. I’d stayed up until past midnight trying to ice the damn thing. Poor Angel, she was never going to get fancy cakes out of me. Hers looked like it’d been decorated by a five-year-old.
Leo came around beside me and peered down at the pink and purple creation. He nodded, his lips pressing together, highlighting his small dimple.
“Shut up,” I mumbled.
He wrapped his arm around me and kissed the side of my head. “At least we know it doesn’t taste like doggy do-do.”
I snorted, my tummy quaking with giggles. Leo’s smile grew as he turned me to face him, leaning down to kiss my lips while Angel explored our ears with her little fingers. We chuckled against each other, only being ripped apart by the uncomfortable throat clearing from the doorway.
“Oh, hey, you guys.” I forced a bright smile, ignoring the frown on Dad’s face.
This was his first time here and yeah, he didn’t know about Leo.
I wiped my lips with a shaky finger and came around the counter to hug Grandma Deb. Dad didn’t even look my way as he brushed past me and took Angel out of Leo’s grasp.
I shot a glare at the back of my father’s head. Grandma Deb gave my shoulder a squeeze. I took courage from her reassuring smile and moved toward the kitchen.
“Dad, this is Leo...my neighbor and boss, and my...boyfriend.” Dad’s withering gaze had me whispering the last word.
I looked away, tucking a curl behind my ear and wishing for a moment that the floor would open up and chow me down for lunch.
Leo coughed. I glanced up in time to see him extend his hand. “Nice to meet you, Marshall.”
“It’s Mr. Pritchett.” He ended his three-second greeting with a grunt that made me want to punch him. Crossing my arms, I stared him down with a pointed glare that he couldn’t miss. He turned away from it, distracting himself with Angel.
Grandma Deb jumped in with her usual charm, wrapping her arms around Leo and kissing his cheek.
“So nice to meet you, Leo. I hear you’re a song writer.” I loved her for it, but it didn’t take away the sting of Dad’s reaction. My eyes shot back to him on the floor with my daughter. They were stacking blocks together, Angel showing off her clapping skills while Dad cheered her on.
I loved that he was so good with her. She hadn’t seen him in weeks, and within five minutes of his attention, she was gazing at him with that adoring look in her eye. He grinned down at her, tipping her nose and making her laugh.
I stood juxtaposed between outright fury and a desire to clasp my hands together and say, “Awwww.”
It wasn’t fair. Why did she get all his sugar and I was left feeling like the bad guy? Marching into the kitchen, I busied myself with straightening the plates and unwrapping food.
“What can I help you with?” Leo whispered in my ear.
I couldn’t talk. I was too mad at my dad for dismissing the best thing that had ever happened to me. I saw that look in his eyes.
First your teacher, now your boss? That was what his dark gaze had shouted at me. I just knew it.
Leo’s hand came to rest on my lower back, his soft lips pressing into my hair. “Take a breath, foxy. It’s going to be okay.”
“I just hate that he was so rude to you.” My whisper was harsh and tight.
“He doesn’t know me yet. I’ll win him over.”
I glanced behind me, catching Leo’s little wink. My heart started tap-dancing when he leaned down and brushed his lips against the crook of my neck. I wanted to turn in his arms and lavish him with a kiss but was distracted by the arrival of Morgan and Sean.
I hugged them both and introduced the guys to each other.
My future brother-in-law gave Leo an amused smile as they shook hands. I threw my sister a questioning frown, until my eyes bulged large.
“You told him!” I mouthed.
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I did. I tell my fiancé everything.”
Her cheeks tinged pink as she said the word fiancé, which was actually kind of adorable, but I was still mad at her. I’d nearly died when Leo told me Morgan had come back in and seen him naked then told him she’d break his balls. Honestly!
“He won’t say anything,” Morgan assured me, squeezing my upper arm. I flicked her hand off me and went to answer the door, relieved that Cole and Ella had arrived. Her sweet, oblivious smile told me Morgan had kept her lips zipped with my best friend, but I knew it wouldn’t last for long. I’d have to get in and tell Ella before my big sister did.
Thankfully, the day was not about my sex-capade with Leo, and all about my precious Angel who was one. One whole year. My family lavished her with presents and love. We sang her “Happy Birthday” and she spat out her candle, with a little help from me. Ella and Sean snapped way too many photos, but it was the first time we’d actually had the chance to get some family shots.
“Here, Leo, do you mind taking a group shot?” Ella passed him her camera.
“Yeah, of course.” He jumped up while we got ourselves positioned.
Angel was sitting on Grandpa’s lap. I made sure I stayed on the other side, putting Morgan between me and my father. The only time he’d smiled throughout the afternoon was when he was interacting with Angel. As soon as she was out of range, he spent his time firing rocket glares at Leo and flicking a few my way, as well.
What the hell was his problem anyway!
“Say cheese!”
We all did as we were told, laughing at Leo while he clicked his fingers and tried to get Angel to look at the camera.
“Put it on timer and come in.” I flicked my hand, shuffling closer to Morgan so Leo could perch on the edge of the seat.
“Why would he do that? He’s not family.” Dad’s voice stopped Leo in his tracks and dropped an awkward bomb into the room that was impossible to recover from.
There was a heavy silent beat as Leo stopped fiddling with the camera timer. I willed myself not to lose it.
“He’s family to me,” I finally said, although my voice didn’t carry the strength I wanted it to.
“Really? Because I’ve never met him before.”
“Well, maybe if you’d come to visit, you would have.”
“Maybe if you’d invited me, I would have come to visit!”
“Why would I invite you?” I shot out of my chair. “So you could come in here and tell me everything I’m doing wrong with my life? Tell me how I’m one big screw-up who threw everything away?”
Morgan’s eyes bulged at me, telling me to shut it.
I ignored her, clicking my fingers in the air. “Oh, no, that’s right, you don’t say stuff like that to me, because you don’t like talking to me anymore. I’ve let you down and broken your heart so badly that you can’t even stand to have a conversation with me! Instead you say it all with your eyes, throwing evils at my boyfriend, frowning every time you see me. You know why I haven’t invited you over y
et? Because I didn’t want to be made to feel like this! Marshall Pritchett’s little fuck-up daughter.”
I spun before the tears could burn me. Like hell I was letting them fall in front of my dad. I sped down to my room, slamming the door shut behind me and cursing myself for ruining Angel’s birthday. I said fuck in front of her, too! What the hell was wrong with me!
“And the mother of the year award goes to...” I mumbled sarcastically, gripping the edge of my bed and wishing the day would just disappear.
My entire body was buzzing, my muscles quivering with tension. I’d obviously had that little outburst locked up for a while. I’d surprised myself by letting it all spew out in front of everyone. I just hadn’t been able to contain it anymore.
I didn’t want Leo to be another thing to add to Dad’s list against me.
Leo was my saving grace, and I didn’t want Dad screwing it up.
“You don’t need Dad for that,” I muttered, flinging myself back on the bed and covering my face with my arm.
The door creaked open. I tensed, too scared to see who it was.
“You okay?” Ella sat down beside me, her tiny hand rubbing my leg.
“No.” I sniffed.
“Don’t feel bad. You needed to get that stuff off your chest.”
“Not in front of everybody,” I whined. “I just humiliated myself.”
Ella lay down beside me, resting her head against my shoulder and wrapping her arm around me. “You’re not a fuck-up,” she whispered.
A dry, breathy giggle spurted out of me. “I think that could be argued.”
I could feel Ella’s cheeks rising with a smile. “Don’t underestimate yourself.” She squeezed my waist. “And don’t let your dad’s issues ruin what you’ve got...a precious daughter and a gorgeous guy who obviously cares about you.”
“I don’t get my dad. What’s his problem anyway? Ever since I dropped out of college, he hasn’t looked at me the same.”
Ella sighed, wrapping one of her big brown curls around her finger. “I don’t know, I think he was just excited that you were getting to go off and live your dreams...and then it all came crashing down around you. I wonder if his anger is just a front for his fear.”
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