“Good.” He kissed my forehead and held me close for a long time before speaking again. “I’d just finished my conversation with Edmund when you called. About us.”
I looked up at him. “How did that go?”
“He told me he’d kick my ass if I hurt you, whether I was his boss or not.”
That made me smile. “He’s my favorite of my collection of stepfathers.”
“Unfortunately, he’s witnessed me with a different woman on my arm at every event over the years. So I think it’s going to take him a while to trust me with you.”
My nose wrinkled.
Jagger kissed the tip of it and smiled. “The feeling is mutual, sweetheart.”
***
Hours later, we all sat around the dining room table eating Chinese food. We’d decided to order in, rather than go out for my birthday. My mother passed me the cardboard carton of Kung Pao chicken.
“I really hate the idea of you staying here.”
“She’s not,” Jagger said. “She’s staying at my place.”
“Oh good.”
I blinked a few times. “Hello? You two know I’m sitting here, right?”
Jagger frowned. “Do you want to stay here after what happened today?”
“No, but…”
He shrugged. “It’s settled then. You’re staying at my place. Miles can stay in the extra apartment. He’s only here for one more night anyway, right?” He looked over at Miles, who nodded.
“Works for me.” Miles shrugged.
“But the girls are at your place,” I protested.
“What girls?” Mom pointed to another container. “Can I have the fried rice, please?”
“Jagger’s nieces are staying with him.”
“Aww…” Mom’s eyes lit up. “Do you want kids of your own, Jagger?”
“Mom,” I warned. “Please.”
She shrugged. “What? We have a good nose. I’d like to see it passed on.”
“I’ll speak to Amelia and Olivia,” Jagger said. “Neither of us is going to sleep tonight if you’re here.”
“I won’t sleep either,” Mom said.
Miles watched our exchange like a tennis match.
I sighed. “How about I stay in the extra apartment with Miles?”
Jagger frowned. “If that’s what you really want.”
“It is. Thank you.”
“I’m putting a guard outside the door then.”
