I hesitated, coffee cup in my hand as useless memories flooded back. Jonah kissing me, the brush of his lips against mine, the feel of his fingers on my breast.
I held my breath as he walked past us. One of the people in the group glanced my way, offering a brief nod, but Jonah looked past me, as though I didn’t exist.
Had he really not noticed me?
37
LEXI
Friday night rolled around, and this time, instead of Jonah taking me out to dinner, he’d suggested we spend the night at my place.
“Can Jonah play with me some more?” Evie asked, reaching for Jonah’s hand. We’d ordered take-out and Evie had been thrilled to spend her evening with the two of us at home.
He looked down at his hand, surprised at her touch, but Evie didn’t notice, and she was jumping up and down in excitement.
I closed my eyes for a second, horrified at how comfortable she was getting with Jonah. “No,” I exclaimed, putting a hand out to stop her when Jonah put a hand on my arm.
“If Evie wants a tea party, she’ll get one,” he said.
My jaw dropped as I watched him let Evie pull him to her room.
“I’ll join you in a few minutes,” I called, as I cleaned up the dinner table. Ten minutes later, I walked up the stairs to Evie’s room. From the doorway, I saw Jonah, still in his tailored suit, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Across from him, with a plastic tiara perched on her head, was Evie, sitting with her Anna and Elsa dolls on either side of her, and Olaf right next to Jonah.
The space in front of them was set with plastic cups, and a chipped teapot. Jonah held a tiny cup with his pinkie finger extended. Evie was pouring imaginary tea into his cup and was completely in character.
“You need to drink more tea, Prince Jonah,” she said, her voice sweet and innocent.
I blinked, unable to tear my gaze away, when they became aware of my presence.
Jonah glanced up at me, and I froze in the doorway.
“Mommy!” Evie beckoned me over. “Join us! We’re having a royal tea party.”
I hesitated, torn between wanting to laugh and be a part of it at the same time. Jonah raised his eyebrows as the moment drew out.
“Are you shy, Mommy?”
“Well, I’ve never met Prince Jonah before, you see,” I said, walking in slowly.
Jonah’s gaze was on me all along. “Oh, you have,” he said.
Evie looked between us in surprise. “Have you had a tea party with Prince Jonah before, Mommy?”
Jonah was hanging on to my every word.
“I did, but back then, he was more of a rake than a prince.”
Evie looked confused. “What’s a rake?” she asked.
“Someone very impossible,” I explained as Jonah leaned in closer.
“Is that a challenge?” His voice was low as his breath fanned my cheek.
I was saved from answering when Evie handed me a cup of imaginary tea.
“Here you go,” she announced.
I sank to the floor and accepted the cup.
