“Take a deep breath.No matter what you say or do, I'm not running away.I'm here to stay and honestly, you’ll probably get sick of me.”She wrinkles up her nose in that adorable way she does.“I’m a people person.I'll constantly be crashing your space, just so I can people.”
“You’re allowed to go out and people too.”I offer her a weak smile.I don’t want her to go out.I want her to stay here with me and Tali.
“I know, but I'm also a homebody, so that makes it difficult.I’ve always lived alone so I was forced to leave the house if I wanted to socialize, but you just made it easier for me.”
I nod, unsure of how else to answer her.Winnie’s unlike any woman I’ve ever met.She’s so happy and easy to talk to.She makes you feel at home almost instantly, like you can spill all your secrets to her.
I wonder what it will be like to have her in my life.In my home.To be able to go to her any time I want to talk and know she’ll listen and offer up some good advice.
As much as I'm going to miss Martha, I'm really excited for Winnie to start taking care of Tali.I think she’ll be good for my little girl.
“When are Smithy and Wheeler helping you move?”
“They both said they’re free this weekend.”She wrinkles up her nose like she isn't sure if I’ll like her answer.“I was thinking of bringing a bag and starting to sleep here tonight.I want to spend as much time as I can with Tali before the season starts.Anything to make her more comfortable.”
“I can help you move too… If you don’t mind watching Tali.”I smirk.
“Not at all!I’ll call the boys after we go to the zoo and settle everything for this weekend.”
Chapter 6
Winnie
WatchingJamiewithTaliis something special.He’s never distracted by his phone or annoyed when she needs something.He’s always present and telling her about the various animals we’ve seen, even if she might not understand what he’s saying.
He’s laidback and in his element when Tali’s in his arms.It’s like she has this calming presence for him.
Jamie’s dressed in a pair of jeans with a black t-shirt stretched across his broad chest.His muscular arms are on full display and make me wonder if he puts in extra hours in the gym.He has a baseball cap pulled down low on his head.It has the Python’s logo on it, making me chuckle.
“Why are you wearing a Python’s hat?”
“Because if I wear a Pit Bull’s hat, someone could recognize me.Having a different sport on my hat throws people off.”
I nod my head because that kind of makes sense.Before I can think too hard about it, Tali drops her cup of water when a monkey jumps at the glass separating it from us, and scares her.It spills all over Jamie, soaking his chest and stomach.
“Jeez,” he murmurs under his breath.He doesn’t freak out or make a big scene.“Well, at least you stayed dry, Tali Girl… Do you mind holding her while I try to get slightly drier?”
“Of course not.We’ll have some fun making faces at the monkeys.”
As soon as Tali’s in my arms, Jamie rushes away to the bathroom.We turn back to the monkeys but when another one jumps at the glass, Tali buries her face in the crook of my neck and wraps her little arms around me.She’s holding onto me so tightly.
“It’s ok, sweetie.”I rub a soothing hand up and down her back, keeping her close to me.She’s so tiny and cuddly.I can't wait to spend more time with her.
I’d walk away from the monkeys and go somewhere else, but I want to make sure Jamie knows where we are.I'm fairly certain he’d panic if he couldn’t find us and I don’t want to do that to him.
“Thanks.I tried to use the hand driers, but I was getting some pretty weird looks.”He chuckles.“Is she ok?”
“A monkey scared her again.I didn’t want to leave this area.I wanted to make sure you could find us easily, so we’re just snuggling.”
“Tali’s a great snuggler.I can take her if you’d like.”
“Do you mind if I keep her?I'm soaking up all this baby love.”
“Not at all.As long as she’s happy, I'm happy.”
Though he says the words so nonchalant, I realize that’s exactly how Jamie feels.His happiness is directly related to Tali’s.He truly only cares about his little girl.
I swallow hard and shake my head.He’s my boss.No matter how adorable and sexy the man is, he’ll never be more and I need to remember that.
