“Ah,” I said, realizing what game it was now from the flags and my one year of blond hair. “That was a divisionchampionship game against UNH during my junior year of college.”
“You were so fast! Even at the end when your kick was in slow motion. So cool,” Maddie gushed, the words garbled around her full mouth of lasagna.
“Chew,” Jesse said. “It’s easier to taste it that way. And I told you Coach Emily was fast.” He flashed me a relaxed smile, and I exhaled a small breath of relief that maybe he wasn’t upset with me for overstepping.
I’d joked with Jesse about his fan club at soccer, but how could you not swoon over a man so dedicated to his little girl and protecting her from anyone who could hurt her, intentional or not?
It was impossible.
For a man always so worried about making mistakes as a parent, he was one of the best fathers I’d ever seen. He’d never fail Maddie or Tessa. His sister had known what she was doing when she’d insisted he be the one to take care of her daughter when she was gone.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Jesse said later, following me out the front door after I thanked his parents once we’d finished dessert and promised I’d be back. I thought it was an okay possible white lie if another game-day lasagna would make Jesse uncomfortable.
“It’s not necessary. You can watch me from the window as I walk the five feet to my car if you’re worried.”
“I know, but it’s not the same. And I wanted to talk to you. About the book,” he said, cringing as he pinched the back of his neck when we reached the curb.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry I got carried away.”
“You didn’t.I’msorry if I sounded harsh. It’s just that…” He rubbed his eyes. “She already likes you so much. I’m not sayingI’d ever want to lose touch with you again, but if you get busy or meet someone?—”
“I completely understand, so no need to explain.” I held up my hand. “You’re being a good dad. You’re pretty great at this parenting thing, even if you don’t know it yet.”
He laughed, tilting his head. “I don’t know about that. Fuck knows I’m trying.”
“You’re doing more than trying.” I squeezed his shoulder. “Would it be okay if I still picked a book for her? She already seems to love soccer, so if I could make her a reader…” I said, drawing a laugh from Jesse when I pressed a dramatic hand to my chest.
“Sure. And speaking of soccer,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Look what I found.”
He handed me his phone with YouTube open on the screen. I pressed the arrow for play, and sure enough, I spied my long then-blond ponytail whipping behind me as I tore across the field.
“My God. My legs hurt just looking at this,” I said with a chuckle. “I thought high school training was a bitch.” I chuckled. “My coach almost killed me in college. A big reason why I decided to stop there.”
Jesse watched over my shoulder as the video slowed, the ball soaring through the air like a scene in a movie before it hit the back of the net. Whoever had shot the video had added music over the actual sounds of the game, but I could almost hear the beautiful swoosh when the ball landed right in the sweet spot.
“Damn, I was good.” I laughed. I couldn’t make out Jesse’s expression on the dark street, but I still felt the heat as his eyes burned into mine.
“You were incredible. Still are,” he whispered as he stuffed his phone back into his pocket.
“I may not be as lean as I was back then, but I like my curves. My workout routines don’t make me almost vomit anymore, and I can enjoy lasagna and pie without regret.”
“You’re perfect,” he said, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.
“Thank you. For that and—” I glanced back at the house, laughing to myself when I caught Jesse’s mother staring at us, then closing the curtain when I made eye contact “—for tonight. Your family is amazing.”
I fidgeted with my car keys as I looked everywhere but at Jesse.
“And I guess you’re all right too,” I added, finally lifting my eyes to his. “Don’t expect any casseroles from me, though.”
I laughed with him until he grazed his knuckles over my jaw.
“Thanks,” he whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek, lingering long enough to feel every centimeter of his lips on my skin. I prayed the goose bumps trailing down my neck weren’t obvious in the dark.
“Goodnight,” I croaked out, both wanting to run away and fall into Jesse’s arms. I was too close to get away with either.
“By the way,” I said as I climbed into the seat. “How did you find that video so fast?”
“I googled your name.”
