“And I’d love some tea and some of that bread.” She yawned, attempting to cover her mouth. “Sorry, little miss here was up most of the night.” She patted Lorelai’s butt.
“Is she okay?” I asked, pouring her some tea and putting together the shadows under both her eyes and Jake’s.
“Think so. Likely teething.” She gave me a small smile and a quiet thanks as she took the tea and the plate holding a piece of bread.
I gave her a small smile, then returned to grab some tea for myself. Within a second, I felt a hand on my hip as Noah came up behind me. “Sorry, babe, I’m grabbing stuff for Jake and me.”
“Babe?” I whispered.
He was silent for a moment, which almost made me regret my comment. But then he squeezed my hip before grabbing two glasses as he replied, still in a low voice just for me. “Sorry, I think that’s the second time I’ve called you that.”
“Third, not that I’m complaining, just…”
“Confused?” He came around and leaned against the counter, looking my way.
I glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jake and Ivy had retreated to the nook and were talking to Addie and O’Malley, likely giving us a bit of privacy.
“A bit,” I replied, slicing pieces of bread for the rest of us.
“I don’t blame you.” He hesitated. Was he regretting our kiss?
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out.
His eyes drew together with concern. “Why?”
“You said you weren’t ready…”
Noah shook his head. “Jules, I kissed you. And I don’t regret it.”
Whoosh, relief flooded my body. “You don’t?”
He smiled at me. “I’m not sure what this is, and we need to talk a whole lot more, but please don’t think that regret is anything I’m feeling whatsoever.”
“Hey, kids, not sure what all you’re whispering about, but I could use some caffeine sometime this century,” Jake called over as Ivy smacked him, all while still patting the baby and swaying back and forth. Impressive multitasking.
Suddenly a wail worthy of an NFL linebacker came from the sling on Ivy’s chest. Wowza, I had no idea babies could be so loud when they were so small.
“Uh-oh,” Ivy muttered, which had Jake coming quickly to attention.
“What,” Jake noted, his body tense.
Ivy glanced his way and gave him a look that could only be described as full of love. “Sorry, sweetheart, you’ve got to relax. There will be lots of uh-ohs as this little one grows.”
“Ivy,” he growled over the continued wails as Ivy swayed around the room, “you can give me sh—” He looked in Addie’s direction. “…sheet for being overprotective later. What’s the uh-oh about?”
“I think Lorelai has an ear infection, that’s all.” Ivy looked my way and shook her head, rolling her eyes in a clear commentary on Jake’s caveman reactions. While I got where she was coming from, I also thought it was sweet.
“How do you know?” Jake had now stopped her, surrounding her with his arms as he peered into the sling.
“She’s tugging on her ears,” Ivy pointed out. “She had a slight temp earlier, but I thought it was no biggie and she was teething.” She shrugged as she gave him a tolerant smile and kissed the underside of his jaw. “Babies get sick, Jake. It will be okay.”
She looked back to me. “So sorry to cut our visit short, Jules. I absolutely want to get to know you betterandhave a moment to question that guy over there.” She nodded toward Noah, who was standing against my island, somewhat frozen. Another mental note to add to my list—what was up with him right now? Did he not like seeing Jake and Ivy all lovey like they had been? I doubted that with what I’d witnessed that first night I saw them in the brewery. Hmm.
“Ads, we’ve got to roll,” Ivy called. She looked at Jake. “You can take her home, and I’ll head to convenient care and get this checked out.”
“I don’t want you to go by yourself,” Jake growled.
Bless overprotective men. It could be hot as long as they weren’t assholes. Another mental note to add to my ongoing list of things to ponder and/or add to my book.
