“Da-Da,” Tali murmurs, her voice sounding quieter than before.
“Daddy loves your hugs.Thank you for making me feel better, Tali.Let’s go see Winnie.”
“Win-Win!”Tali squeals my name and it has tears pricking the backs of my eyes all over again.
As soon as Jamie’s footsteps sound down the hallway, I leap from the couch and hurry into the kitchen.The vegetables have been cooking with the roast in the crock pot all day.By now, the potatoes should be soft enough to mash.Once that’s finished, dinner will be ready.
Jamie places Tali in her high chair and grabs a drink for her.He takes two sparkling waters out of the fridge and places them on the table before grabbing plates and silverware for each of us.
“What else can I do to help?”
I jump at his voice.I didn’t realize he was right behind me.I place my hand over my heart and take a deep breath.
“You scared the crap out of me,” I breathe.
“I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to.Is there anything else I can do?”He places a hand on my hip and leans around me to grab some napkins.
“No?”I squeak, then squeeze my eyes shut.What is wrong with me?
“Hey, what’s going on?”Jamie spins me around to face him.His brows are pinched together as he searches my face.
“Tali’s monitor was still on,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.I instantly want to take the words back, but they’re already out there.My hand flies up to cover my mouth and I wince.
“Crap,” he murmurs.
“We can pretend I didn’t hear anything.I can act like I didn’t hear you basically admit you want to kiss me.”I cover my face with my hands and groan in frustration.“Stop talking, Winnie,” I mumble to myself.
“I think you should keep talking.I'm thinking if you keep going, you might admit where your head is at in all of this.”Jamie tugs my hands away from my face and stares down at me.
“I think I wanted you to kiss me,” I whisper.
Jamie leans down and gently presses his lips against mine as his hand slips around my neck and threads through my hair.His kiss is soft and shy, so similar to how he was when we first met.Soon it’s turning needy.He tilts his head to the side and deepens our kiss.This is unlike any kiss I’ve ever experienced before.
“Da-Da, Win-Win,” Tali calls, making us break apart laughing.
“I forgot she was in the room,” I whisper, not moving out of Jamie’s arms.
“I didn’t, but she’s not old enough to understand what’s going on.”
“That’s probably a good thing, right?”I scrunch up my nose, giving him an easy out.He can say this was a mistake and it will never happen again.If he takes the opportunity, things will be easier and we can stay friends.It doesn’t need to be awkward.
“I guess that depends on if you want it to happen again.”He stares deep into my eyes like he’s trying to see into the depths of my soul.He didn’t bite when I gave him the out, but now he’s giving me his own.
“I think I might want it to happen again,” I whisper.
“Good, I do too.”
“Da-Da!Tali!”
“I'm coming, princess.”Jamie squeezes my hip before he returns to the table and sits down next to Tali to give her some much-needed attention.She loves getting the full focus of her daddy.
I'm not sure what’s happening between us, but we might have a jealous little girl if things keep going.
“That was the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”Jamie smiles as he pushes his chair away from the table and relaxes back, crossing his ankle over his opposite knee.
“Oh, please!You have a chef prepare all of your meals.There’s no way this is better.”
“There’s something different about a home cooked meal.Also, I'm sure it has all the stuff I'm not supposed to have in it, which automatically makes it taste better.”He winks at me and my heart sinks.
