The day was spent as Robin had promised, mostly lounging and alternating between baking and eating. Robin had to take a bunch of calls throughout the day, but I guessed it was just last-minute stuff at work. The day had been glorious, but it was almost time to get ourselves off to the holiday concert.
The children were performing a variety of songs as well as participating in the annual Nativity. It was a tradition, and one of the few holiday trappings that I always looked forward to. I’d have to say that I loved it mostly because it was about the children, but also it took me away from my own grief. It was so easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the girls as they got dressed in their costumes. They were so excited to tell me all about their roles, and had offered to practice for me earlier in the day so I would know what they were going to do.
After watching Daisy and Delilah perform “Last Christmas”—the pop rock song, not the traditional carol I was expecting—I was dying to see it live and performed with music. The last two shows that I saw were great but fairly traditional. Apparently, the music teacher had retired since last Christmas, and the new, younger model was giving the holiday show an update. Their rehearsal had earned a standing ovation from Aunt Sam, that’s for sure.
The five of us piled into the car—Daisy, Delilah, Robin, Michael, and myself—one big family. One thing about Friendship that I did enjoy was how close everything was. It didn’t take more than ten minutes to get to the show, and we arrived quite early so that the girls could get organized and ready with the other kids. Robin left me with her husband, who I got along well with, while we milled about in the hallway before going in to find our seats. She wanted to get the girls backstage herself without dragging us all along in a parade with her.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and it was a message from Jason.
Hey beautiful. I saved us rock star seats down front.
Sounds great. I’ll let my sister know, I replied.
“So, Jason saved us seats.” I glanced over to Michael, who was staring off into space.
“Jason?” he asked, looking confused. I guess Robin didn’t tell him about my little dalliance.
“Oh, uh, Jason Hayes?” I didn’t elaborate.
“Oh, okay. I’ll let Robin know. You want to go on in and we’ll find you?” he asked.
“Sure, that’ll work.”
Michael left to go find Robin, and my heart started to race as I opened the auditorium door. I scanned the room, and that’s when I saw him. He was standing up, leaning against the seats in the row ahead of him so he could see me as soon as I walked in. I lifted my hand in a gentle wave and made my way down the long aisle toward him.
He walked out of the row to greet me with a small kiss on the cheek. “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he whispered, sending the butterflies I already had in my belly straight into my throat.
I didn’t know what to say. I had no idea how to flirt back and felt like a speechless twit. I mustered up a, “me too,” to get me by while I collected myself. Taking things up a notch, Jason grabbed my hand and led me to our seats, which were indeed front and center. We were going to be easy to spot for the girls, and we also had a perfect view of the whole stage.
“These are great seats. How early did you have to get here for these?” I asked, finally getting my face to cooperate with a smile. My sudden nerves were making me unable to act like a normal adult who could even form a normal smile.
“Not long before you. It just started to fill up. I promised Emily I’d be where she could see us, and I’m a man of my word.” His grin was genuine and broad. He seemed happy, and when I met his eyes, my smile finally softened naturally. What a comforting person he was to be around.
“You sure are,” I replied.
We settled in next to each other, with two more seats saved for Robin and Michael on the other side of me. After we took our coats off, Jason reached for my hand again and placed it on his knee gently. It felt like a date, even though we were there to watch all the kids, and when Robin found us, I quickly snatched my hand back, hiding it from her, although I think she saw.
“Hey guys, great seats,” she said as she sat down next to me.
“You know how particular Emily is,” Jason replied.
“Oh, I sure do,” Robin replied with a laugh. “Mine are no different. I just went through the whole ‘Mommy we want to be able to see you’ discussion backstage myself. Emily looks absolutely adorable, Jason. Who did her curls?” she asked.
“I did,” Jason replied, chuckling. “I’m becoming quite the Paul Mitchell these days. Or Vidal Sassoon? I dunno, I’m getting good at curling a little girl’s hair.”
We all laughed, but I considered what a good father he was. I didn’t know much about Emily’s mom, but she surely missed out on Jason. He was a keeper and would make any woman swoon.
The lights began to dim, indicating the show was starting, and we all turned our focus to the stage. As it became completely dark, Jason reached over for my hand, placing it on his knee, and gave it a little squeeze. I smiled in return and leaned into him just a bit.
My affection for this man I’d barely just met was on my mind almost the entire show. I watched him watch his daughter and was in awe by his adoration for her. I’d never thought much of having kids myself, mostly because I hadn’t had a relationship that lasted long enough for it to be a consideration. Being with him, on the receiving end of his affection while he still gave his undivided attention to the show, was enough to make any woman want to have his babies.
I did a lot of thinking during that show. Seeing Jason’s uninhibited joy through the entire thing was enough to lift me right back out of the funk that tried to seep in. All I could think of was how soothing his presence was, however short-lived it was to be.
Chapter Fourteen
Jason
I wanted to steal a thousand kisses from her that night. But we were surrounded with friends and family, and excited kids. While I still knew she wasn’t really mine, I couldn’t help but think she could be, and I was going to take every opportunity that I could to make it so.
