"Cam and I have been friends for a long, long time but I'd like us to be more so I'm taking her on dates and spending a little time with her so she can decide if she feels the same way," he answered.
His honesty took me aback. I mean, I didn't expect him to lie, but Jacks was six, nearly seven. I wasn't sure if I would have been as blunt.
Jacks nodded, her expression grave. "That's good, Daddy. I like Cam. She would definitely make a good girlfriend." Shit, I had to bite back a smile because I didn't want her to think I was laughing at her. But that was too damn cute. She leaned toward him and whispered, "Be sure you bring her flowers, open her door, and tell her she looks pretty, okay? That kind of stuff is important to girls."
Brody's eyes widened and it seemed like I wasn't the only one surprised by Jacks' words. "Who told you that?"
She rolled her eyes. "The only time Mommy doesn't complain about her dates is when they do all those things. And she goes on a lot of dates."
Okay, that suddenly wasn't so cute.
I squatted down next to her. "I like those things sometimes," I admitted. "But I'd much rather date a man who treats me with kindness and respect than compliments me about my looks or brings me flowers. But every woman is different and she has to decide for herself how she wants the men in her life to treat her."
And I immediately wondered if I'd overstepped. Brody hadn't asked me to say anything to her about this but I'd jumped right in with both feet. In the damn deep end, no less.
Jacks nodded. "I want my boyfriends to treat me the way Daddy does. He listens to what I say and laughs at my jokes. And he always has fun things for us to do together."
My heart melted. I'd always thought it was a weird, sappy way to describe mushy feelings, but at that moment, I completely understood.
"It sounds like your dad's got it goin' on," I commented.
She frowned at me. "What does that mean?"
"That he's the man. Top dog. Awesomesauce."
Jacks laughed. "Yeah. He does. You should definitely be his girlfriend."
"Uh, I'll think about that." I ignored the choked laughter coming from Brody. "Now, I have to get back to work but I'll see you both tomorrow night, okay?"
"Okay." Jacks threw her arms around my waist and buried her face in my belly. "Bye, Miss...uh, Cam!"
When she released me, Brody said, "Jacks, can you throw our bowls away. I'm gonna talk to Cam for just a second."
She skipped off to do his bidding without a word of argument. Brody turned toward me and I started speaking before he could open his mouth. "I'm sorry if I overstepped. It just...came out of my mouth. You know, about the dating stuff."
Brody stepped toward me, invading my space. "We will discuss this again when it's just you and me, but I have no problem, at all, with anything that you said. Or that you felt compelled to speak." He leaned in and I saw the heat in his eyes. I shivered, which made his eyes crinkle in the corners. "I just want a chance to express my gratitude."
"You can say thank you," I replied, feeling breathless and more than a little hot.
"Maybe I prefer to use my mouth for something other than talking."
Oh. My. God.
"Uh. Um." A bead of sweat slid down my hairline. "Do you think the A/C is broken in here? It seems awfully hot all of a sudden."
Brody leaned forward like he intended to kiss me but stopped short and closed his eyes. Just like me, he'd forgotten where we were for a moment. And who was watching. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "We'll continue this later."
I had no words. My tongue refused to function and my brain was completely off-line. The only part of me that was functioning properly was my hormones. And they had absolutely no issue with continuing this discussion later, especially if Brody didn't intend to use his mouth to talk.
He smiled at me and touched my hand before he turned away. My legs were shaky as I walked back behind the counter.
As I passed Sierra, she whispered, "I think we need to go lingerie shopping soon."
"Shut up."
She didn't say anything else but she also didn't hesitate to laugh behind my back as I continued on my way.
I couldn't flip her off with so many people in the shop, but we'd been friends for so long, I had no doubt she knew that I desperately wanted to.
Mostly because she was one hundred percent correct.
Brody Murphy would be seeing me in my underwear at the soonest possible opportunity.
