I jerk back at the phone.
“I respect how devoted and protective you are of her. It’s hot, and it speaks to the kind of father you are. It, uh…” she trails off, and I wish she’d keep talking, but that’s probably as much as I’ll get out of her this time.
“You’re not bothered by the fact I can’t be with you all the time and we have to schedule things because I have to make sure Naomi is taken care of?” I ask her.
“Coop, if I wanted constant attention, I’d get a dog.”
“Woof.”
She snorts, and I shake my head.
“You really mean that? You don’t want me to … choose?”
She gasps. “Why in the world would I do that? I would never ask you to choose Naomi over me. If we…” she trails off, and I know she wants to say more, but she’s keeping her lid on tight.
“Thank you.”
“I don’t understand what you’re thanking me for,” she says.
“For being the woman I know you are,” I tell her. I felt it pretty quickly, and this conversation has only served to confirm it.
“Uh, you’re welcome?” she says as if it’s a question.
I smile and wish that things weren’t so complicated, but I know deep down it will be worth it in the end.
“I think I’m going to let Rebekah and Naomi have a sleepover,” I say, messing with a thread on the couch.
“Oh?” Mae says.
“She’s trying, and I think it’s too big a step to let Naomi sleep anywhere other than home. So I figured they can stay here and then I’ll sleep at my aunt’s. That way Naomi doesn’t feel totally like a fish out of water.”
“I know she’s a kid, but have you told her that?”
“No,” I say, toeing the coffee table, feeling antsy. “I’ve thought about it for a while, and I think it’s the best happy medium.”
“That makes sense. And your family will be right there if they need something.”
I nod and remember Mae can’t see me. “Yes, they will.”
“If you’re comfortable with it, you could come over that night.” She offers.
My heart lifts and my stomach flips. “Are you asking me out on a date, stubborn?”
“Don’t push it,” she grumbles.
“I think that’s a great idea and will probably help Rebekah feel like I’m not breathing over her shoulder, but my family will be close by.”
“Mhm,” Mae says.
“Then maybe we can pick up where we left off the other night,” I murmur.
Mae lets out a shaky breath, and I swear I can feel the heat of it through the phone. “I’d like that,” she says.
“I’ll get it organized and let you know.”
“Okay. I’ll cook dinner because I think we’ve exhausted all takeout options,” she says.
I huff. “Sounds good to me.”
