“Jamie… I wasn’t saying you needed to buy one.”
“I know you weren’t, but I'm serious, Winnie.If Tali needs something, you can buy it.I have more than enough money to cover it.I want her happy and there will be times throughout the season where you might not have time to talk to me often.I want to make sure you can get the things you need.”He runs a hand through his hair, but it seems less of an anxiety thing right now and more of a habit.“I should get you your own credit card.What else do you need?”
“I think I'm good.”I smile up at him.He’s in full daddy mode right now and it’s sexy as can be.Especially with him wearing low slung jeans and a tight white t-shirt without socks.He’s relaxed and comfortable.
“Do you need a car?”
“My car is fine.”I let my head fall back and laugh.He’s so funny when he gets like this.I love it.
“You’ll be driving Tali.I want to make sure it’s reliable.”He frowns, looking even more adorable.
“Jamie, I promise my car is perfectly safe and reliable.It’s only a year old.”I place my hand on his chest and stare up at him.I'm hoping the touch will help him calm down.
“I'm sorry.I worry a lot.”
“I know you do.You’re a great daddy because of it.”I pat him on the chest before taking a step back to put some distance between us.“Why don’t you relax while I finish dinner?I'm sure you had a long day at work, especially with Wheeler.”
“We had some mock games and he wasn’t on my team.We haven’t really interacted.”
“I'm surprised he didn’t corner you in the locker room.”
“Well…” He grips the back of his neck, looking more than a little uncomfortable.“I might’ve run out of there without taking a shower to avoid talking to him.”
“What?Why?”I laugh at how ridiculous that sounds.
“I was afraid if he opened his mouth, I might punch him.”He shrugs.
“Because he scared Tali?”I'm not really sure why he’d want to punch Wheeler, but I know I’ve had the same urges over the years.
“Because of how he spoke to you.”Jamie steps forward and cups my cheek in his massive hand.He’s staring into my eyes and suddenly it’s hard to even breathe.“You don’t deserve to be yelled at, sweetheart.He was out of line and he needs to learn how to speak to a woman.”
“You’re a good man.”
“Nah, I just treat everyone the way they should be treated.If you ever see me treat someone poorly, know it’s because they earned it.”
He leans in closer and presses another kiss to the top of my head, then he’s walking out of the kitchen.I watch him until he settles onto the couch and turns on the TV.
I don’t know what I did to wind up with such an amazing new job and boss, but I'm glad I did it.
Before I go back to peeling the potatoes, I pick up my phone and check my text with Wheeler.I want to know what else was said.Especially what Jamie said to get him to stop texting.
Wheeler: Yes, you are.
Wheeler: You’ve always been mine, Winnie.
Wheeler: Is this because you’re living with Schmidt now?
Wheeler: Are you trying to play the part of mommy and wife?
Wheeler: If you wanted a family, I’d happily give you one.
Wheeler: All you had to do was ask.
Winnie: She shouldn’t have to ask, idiot.If you were a real man, you’d be begging her to be in your life.She’s an amazing woman and she deserves so much more than you could ever give her.Maybe you should stop acting like a man and actually become one.Real men don’t yell at the women they claim to love.They don’t make their woman cry.
Winnie:Real men realize when they find a good woman and don’t let them go.You don’t get married because that’s what she wants.You get married because you can't stand the thought of anyone else looking at her and know a ring on her finger might make them second guess talking to her.Because you can't imagine coming home at the end of the night and not sleeping next to her.Because she makes your life infinitely better and you don’t want to continue breathing without her.And a family?You beg her to have kids with you because you love her so much you want to see miniature versions of her running around your house.Because you want to see her with a baby on her hip and know that the two of you created that.
Winnie: She shouldn’t be asking you for anything.You should be begging her to let you give her the life she’s always dreamed of.If you aren’t doing that, she isn't the woman for you.You should move along and give someone else a chance at making her dreams become her reality.
