A single tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.Once one falls, it’s like the dam has been opened and they begin falling quicker.
I swipe at my cheeks and sniffle.I don’t like being emotional.I like to stuff it all down and ignore the pain.It’s what I did after my parents got divorced.I did it again when I realized love isn't real.People claim to be in love to keep you around, but eventually they won't want you anymore.
I saw what happened when my parents split.Dad was left heartbroken when Mom moved on.He had no clue she wasn’t happy, he was blindsided.One day he was blissfully married and the next, he was left trying to figure out what just happened.
I decided long ago I wasn’t going to give anyone else the power over my happiness.Being single makes that easier.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”Jamie tugs me against his chest and his hand moves up and down my back in a soothing motion.I’ve seen him do this with Tali when she cries.
The tears come even harder.He’s treating me the same as he would his own daughter.The only person he truly loves in this world.
“Nothing, I'm fine.”I try to pull away from him, but he doesn’t let me.
“I know I'm single now, but I was married at one point.I know exactly what ‘I’m fine’ means.”He moves his hand up to cradle my head against his chest.He runs his fingers through my hair and massages my scalp.It feels amazing.“If everything was fine, you wouldn’t be crying.”
“It’s stupid.Don’t worry about it.”I try to step out of his arms again and he chuckles.
“If you don’t stop trying to get away from me, you’re going to give me a complex.I don’t make it a habit to stop women from leaving if they want to, so please don’t try to leave my arms unless you don’t want me touching you,” he whispers softly.
This time I don’t try to step away.Instead, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest.His heart beats strongly, the thumping rhythm has me relaxing even more in his arms.
“You don’t have to talk to me about whatever’s going on, but I hate seeing you cry, Win.”He kisses the top of my head and lets his lips linger.“I'm here for you whenever you need someone though.”
“Thank you,” I murmur against his chest.
We stay like that for a few more minutes before I take a step away and this time he doesn’t stop me.I swipe at my cheeks and I don’t think I’ve ever been so thankful to not be wearing eyeliner and mascara.I have no doubt it would be streaking down my cheeks.
A series of pings sound from my phone.I groan, knowing exactly who it will be.I don’t want to talk to him right now.
“Is the person texting you why you’re crying?”Jamie arches a brow and nods towards my phone.
I nod my head, unsure of what else to say.I know if I talk, I might start crying again and I don’t want that.I feel weak and vulnerable when I cry, two things I hate feeling.
Jamie grabs my phone and quickly thumbs through the text thread.Normally I’d get annoyed if a guy violated my privacy like that, but for some reason it doesn’t bother me.Jamie’s not doing it because he wants to see who I'm texting or because he’s nosy.He’s doing it because he cares.
His fingers fly over the screen and a few seconds later, he places my phone back on the counter.His eyes meet mine and there are so many emotions I can't decipher staring back at me.
“What are you making?”He nods to the forgotten potatoes on the counter.
“Oh, I was craving mashed potatoes and a roast.I hope that’s ok.”
“You know you’re welcome to use anything in this house.In fact, I think you need to use the tub in my room tonight and let your body relax.I can stay in the living room until you’re finished.”
“I might just take you up on your offer… I know you have your meals from the chef, but you and Tali are welcome to eat some of this.I’ll never eat all of it.”
“I was hoping you’d offer.”He grins, lighting up his entire face.“It smells so good.”
“You could’ve just asked.”I chuckle, loving how the heaviness in the room is slowly leaving and the happy carefree versions of us are back.“I'm happy to cook every night.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.Tali can be a handful, I know that.”
“She’s not that bad.I love having her.Plus, she’s getting to the age where she’ll want to help.The last family I worked for had this tower the kids could stand in to help cook.It locked them in so they couldn’t fall.It was amazing.”
Jamie reaches inside his pocket and tugs out his credit card.He hands it over to me, making my brows tug together.
“What’s this for?”
“Buy one.I can give you the login information for my Amazon account too.You can go on and buy anything you think Tali needs.”
