“I sure do like that Jordie. She’s a real go-getter.” She points at the fridge. “Grab the juice boxes out of there and put them in the cooler, please.”
I do as I’m directed. “She’s pretty great.”
Mom is silent for a beat before her voice grows brighter. “You know, I just thought of something.” I recognize her fake tone that tells me whatever she’s about to say is not, in fact, something shejust thought of. “You should ask Jordie on a date.”
Fumbling the handful of juice boxes, I manage to catch them before they hit the floor. “Y-you think I should ask Jordie out?”
“Sure. Why not?”
I arrange the juice boxes in the cooler with way more care than is strictly necessary. “She’s a lot younger than me.”
My mother blows out a raspberry. “Pffft. Who cares?”
“Society?” I quip.And Jordie’s hockey-playing brothers,I don’t add.
“Who is society to tell you what to do? She’s, what? Ten years younger than you?”
“Nine,” I say a little too quickly, and I see Mom smile.
“As long as a person is of legal, consenting age, it shouldn’t matter. And it’s not like you’re a grandpa.” She cuts her brown eyes toward me. “Though you act like it sometimes. You really should date more. You’re such a handsome young man.”
I close the cooler and cross to her, snatching one of the cookies from the plate. Mom smacks my hand but doesn’t take my cookie away. Just one more reason I love her.
“You have to say that because you’re my mother,” I tell her, unwrapping the treat and taking a big bite. “Mmm, that’s good.”
“You’re right. You’re completely hideous, dear. I’m not sure how anyone stands to look at you.” She pinches my cheek and coos, “This is a face only a mother could love.”
“I’m writing you out of my will,” I tell her around a mouthful of crumbs.
The party goes off without a hitch, thanks to my mom and Jordie. Night has seeped in, blanketing Houston with a star-filled canopy. Jordie is placing the last plate in the dishwasher while I empty the cooler.
As she dries her hands on a dish towel, I come up behind her and kiss the side of her neck. She startles, darting her eyes around to look for prying eyes.
“Everyone has left,” I assure her, sliding my hands down to shape her hips.
“What about Reece?” she hisses.
As if summoned, my little one skips into the kitchen, curls bouncing, and I take a long step backward. To be honest, I’m tired of not being able to show affection to my girl when anyone else is around. I want us to be a normal couple.
But Jordie has enough on her plate right now without having to worry about the scrutiny our relationship is sure to bring. The Dragons have made it to the very first WNFL Super Bowl, and the big game is only a week away.
I scoop my daughter onto my hip and blow a raspberry against her cheek, earning me a giggle. “Did you enjoy your party, sweet girl?”
She nods happily. “It was the best party ever. Can we have another one tomorrow?”
Laughing, I shake my head. “I don’t think so, gremlin. I’m not sure I could survive another party so soon.” I kiss her forehead. “Jordie worked really hard to make your party fun. Did you say thank you?”
Reece wriggles until I put her down, and she runs over to Jordie, holding her arms up. Jordie picks her up so Reece’s legs wrap around her trim waist.
“Thank you for making the funnest party ever.” My daughter throws her arms around Jordie’s neck and surprises me by saying, “I love you muchly, Jordie.”
Jordie’s eyes widen for a second and then close tightly as sheembraces my sweet little girl. A tear slides down her cheek, and she sways them back and forth, gently cupping the back of Reece’s head.
“I love you muchly too, sweetpea.”
And right there in my kitchen, at that exact moment, all the barriers I’d erected around myself crumble away like dust in the wind. Because it doesn’t matter how pretty or smart a woman is. It doesn’t matter if she loves me like no one ever has. If she doesn’t accept and love my daughter, I could never be with her.
I don’t want someone who will tolerate my daughter so she can be with me. Reece isn’t some pint-sized accessory that comes with her dad. She’s an awesome little human who deserves a woman in her life who will bust her ass to make a child’s birthday party special. A woman who will wear footie pajamas and engage in our silly spa nights. A woman who will… love her.
