The lobsters have been cleaned, and the sauté pan and a pot for the noodles are on the stove.
“I think we’re ready, Mazie May. Jasper should be here any minute.” I pinch her toes, and she kicks her little legs. God, she’s adorable.
If she ends up with Spencer and Finn, it would be perfect. Fun uncle, here I come. I’ll spoil her rotten, buying her anything she wants.
I don’t have a strong belief system, but you can’t say destiny isn’t somehow involved. By taking the trash out for Darcy, I was meant to find Mazie behind the dumpster. That, along with Ms. Wilson being on vacation, meant I would need to keep her for the weekend. All that had to happen so Mazie could make her way into Spencer’s and Finn’s arms. I hope.
She’s the light we’re all circling. She deserves to have the best possible shot at living a life filled with happiness. Every child does.
I kiss her baby-soft head and breathe in her powdery scent.
There’s a light knock at the door.
“Oh, I think he’s here. Ok, how do I look?” I do a little twirl, showing off my jeans and flannel shirt. Pretty sure that would’ve garnered me a giggle if she was old enough. At least I put on myniceflannel shirt.
Taking a deep breath, I pull open the door.
My attempt at keeping my jaw from hitting the floor is futile.
Jasper is in his signature outfit; a very torn 80s band shirt—with peeks of his creamy skin showing through his white boa—and black leather pants. His hair is a stylish mess that only he can pull off. Fuck, he’s hot.
I look down at my outfit. Yeah… Mazie would’ve laughed at what I was wearing and not my little twirl.
“Hi,” I say, now feeling sheepish.
“I brought the wine,” Jasper says with a little extra volume, holding up the bottle.
He rolls his eyes, and I can’t help but chuckle. This isn’t starting out awkward at all…
“You did. Please come in. I appreciate it,” I say, taking the bottle from him. “A lot of work went into getting this wine.”
“Tell me about it. You’re not the one who agreed to give Ms. Brandy a nipple piercing.”
My mouth twitches, biting back a smile.
“It’s not funny.” Jasper shudders. “I have to touch them!”
“Oh, you poor thing,”
“I know. Listen, I love a magnificent set of titties, but lately, they’re not doing it for me.” I feel his breath on the shell of my ear as he slides by. “I’m more interested in the stick shift variety.”
I almost swallow my tongue as I hold back an embarrassing choking noise, shaking away all the dirty thoughts of stick shifts.
“It appears you two still have some unfinished business.” I manage to pull together as Jasper eyes Mazie with suspicion.
“Look, she can’t just show up out of nowhere and expect me to trust her from the get-go.” His eyes narrow. “She could be a baby spy. Have you caught her with any tech devices?”
I bark out a laugh. “She can barely hold her head up on her own, let alone a cell phone.”
“I’m not taking any chances,” Jasper says, backing away from Mazie as she kicks her legs in the bouncy seat Darcy’s husband dropped off with the portable crib.
Opening the bottle of wine, I pour us each a glass and slide one across to him on the kitchen island with a wink. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from the baby spy.”Wow, did I just flirt?
“It smells good in here,” Jasper says, managing to make it soundvery sexual.
Grabbing the warm rolls, I place them on the table. “I just hope it tastes as good as you think it smells.” And cue flaming cheeks.
“Anytime I put something of yours in my mouth, I know it’s gonna taste good,” Jasper says with a bite of his lip and a cheeky wink.
