“I could’ve handled things for another couple of days.” I’d pout, but I’m too tired.
Micah smiles as he lays me down on his bed. “I’m sure you could have, but now you don’t need to. Now rest up. In the morning I’ll cook a proper breakfast so you can eat something other than pizza.”
“You’re not coming to bed too?”
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’ll come back in a few minutes. I just want to get the pizza boxes taken care of. I’m going to put the leftovers in the fridge, then I’ll be right back. Okay?”
“Mm.”
He kisses my forehead before he leaves, and I melt into the mattress. Is this guy for real? Taking a redeye flight with no notice to come home and rescue his overwhelmed girlfriend from the stress of watching his kid … at least, I hope it was to rescue me and not Hailey.
I’ve almost dozed back off again when he returns. He climbs into bed with me and pulls the covers over us. I realize I’m still in my work clothes from yesterday, but Micah doesn’t seem to mind. He cuddles up to me and rests his chin on my head, stroking my hair in the dark. I wrap my arms around him, soaking up his warmth.
“I’m sorry I failed at watching your daughter.”
“Shh. You didn’t fail anything. My dad instincts kicked in. I couldn’t leave her any longer, and I couldn’t leave you to make any more big decisions that are really mine to make. It isn’t fair to either one of you.”
“Still … you had to cut your trip short.”
He shrugs. “Big deal. I’ve cut lots of trips short. What’s one more?”
“Will you get in trouble?”
“Nah. I just told my boss some family stuff came up.”
“And he was okay with that?”
“She didn’t care. I do my work. I get shit done. That’s what matters in the end. This conference wasn’t a huge deal.” He squeezes me a little, then kisses my forehead again. “Thisis what matters. You and Hailey. Making sure you two are taken care of.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him in the glow of the streetlight through the window. “You’re counting me in the family stuff?”
Micah grins and strokes my cheek. “Yep. I’m claiming you as mine. Your problems are my problems now. There’s no escaping it. Might as well accept that you’re stuck with me, Iris.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Is it?”
I shake my head and go back to snuggling. “Nope. Not bad at all. In fact, I think I could get used to being claimed.”
If he says anything else, I’m oblivious. Out like a light, not even a dream to stir me.
***
Waking up in Micah’s arms is definitely something I could get used to. He strokes my hair as my eyes flutter open, and we lie there for a few silent minutes, just gazing at each other in the early morning sunlight.
“Hi.”
The greeting seems silly, and I giggle. “Hi.”
“You ready for breakfast?”
“Mm. What’s Chef Micah got planned for today?”
The Chef Micah comment earns me a grin. “Scrambled eggs. Might sauté some veggies, too. Whatever I find in the fridge.”
“Coo—oof!” My answer is cut off by a bright-eyed Hailey bounding into the bed with us.
“Daddy! You came home!”
