Jade had been sipping her water when she spit half of it back into her glass. I laughed, unable to contain it. Jade wiped at her mouth, looking embarrassed. But I found it all cute.
We enjoyed dinner. It was peaceful, and Ilsa was the entertainment. She told us about daycare and everything they did. For only three, she talked well, which was a testament to Jade.
Ilsa told me about her favorite color and her favorite animal. She went on and on about her Barbies and how much she loved playing with them. Ilsa had a vivid imagination and loved telling stories, often going on and on about anything she could. I soaked it all in, hanging onto her every word.
We were just finishing the food when Ilsa looked at me. “Were your fish fingers good, Brandon?”
I felt my stomach twist up, wanting her to call me dad badly. I knew it was wrong since she had no idea who I was, but I could see the way she said mom. The way she looked at Jade. I wanted the same. I’d listen to her go on and on about her mother, and I could see how much she cared for her.
“They were,” I said, smiling at her. “How were your chicken tenders?”
“They were good,” she said with a big smile. “Can we come here again?” She turned to Jade as she asked.
Jade nodded her head. “Of course we can.”
Ilsa beamed.
After paying, we walked back to the house. Ilsa walked a foot ahead of us, her head bobbing as she hummed witheach step. Jade walked next to me, just within arm’s reach. She rubbed her hands together as she walked, seeming cold.
“Do you want my jacket?” I offered, already pulling it off.
Jade offered me a smile as I placed it over her shoulders. She smelled like fresh air, and it took my breath away. I stared at her for a moment before turning back and continuing to walk. Ilsa turned around, pointing up. “Look at the stars.”
Jade looked up, and her eyes took in the stars. I watched Jade walk over toward Ilsa, pulling her hand down, patting her head.
I suddenly never wanted this to end. I never wanted this to change. I wanted Ilsa and Jade like this—I wanted us to have great meals and walk home after them. I wanted to listen to Ilsa go on and on about her life. I wanted Jade to look happy.
We arrived at home, and Jade took Ilsa up to bed. I sat down on the couch, glancing through some emails on my phone. I was just finishing when Jade came down the stairs. She pulled the jacket off and handed it to me.
“Thank you for the jacket.”
“Of course,” I offered, taking it back. “Is Ilsa in bed?”
She nodded. “Yeah. She said she had a great time.”
I smiled. “Good to know. Did you?”
She smiled. “I did.”
“How was your salmon?”
Her smile grew. “It was delicious. And your fish fingers?”
I smirked. “They tasted wonderful.”
Jade started to laugh, and I realized it was the first time I’d seen her laugh like that. It was a soft laugh, her lips turned upslightly as her shoulders shook. I suddenly wanted to hear it all the time.
She sat down on the couch next to me. “We both had a lovely time. Thank you for suggesting going out. I haven’t seen Ilsa laugh that hard in a while.”
I couldn’t stop myself as I moved closer to her. I leaned into her space, and Jade stiffened up as she realized how close I was.
Her hair looked darker in the low light, and her light brown eyes looked like swirling coffee. She had put makeup on, just a little. Jade had always been that quiet kind of beauty. She wasn’t the model in the catalog, but rather that soft, loving person who made your stomach flip when they smiled at you.
I reached a hand out, cupping the back of her head, and kissed her. I knew it was wrong, but the thought of not kissing her in that moment felt even more wrong.
Her lips were soft against mine, her body frozen. I parted my lips slightly, inhaling. I expected her to pull back, but she didn’t.
Chapter 12 - Jade
