“Morning. I have to get up and make pancakes.”
“I don’t think she’s starving,” he says, nipping at my ear, and as badly as I want to stay in bed with Gabe, I don’t want to anger the tiny human I need to like me.
“Nope. Up,” I say, climbing out of the bed and stealing a pair of his sweats from his dresser. They’re a little big on me, but I’m not going into the kitchen in my underwear like last night. “If I have to be up this early, you do too.”
He grins. “Fine.” He climbs out of the bed, all that glorious tan, muscular body on display for me, and I almost forget about what we’re doing until I hear another loud whine from the kitchen.
“Oh my God, we have to go,” I say, grabbing a T-shirt from his closet and practically falling out into the hallway as I try to get it on over my head. Gabe is totally calm and cool, grabbing a pair of sweats and then following behind me.
Amber is sitting in a stool that makes her look even smaller, her little elbows perched on the island countertop. “That took forever!”
I smile to myself as I shuffle around the kitchen, finding all the ingredients I need, like I live here or something. It’s a strange feeling that hits me as I get to work, mixing the ingredients together and heating up the pan on the stove.
I can see the future in this.
I want this.
I look over at Gabe and catch his sappy smile.Is he thinking the same thing? He loves me.
Why didn’t I say it back?
I think I was too stunned that this gorgeous, sweet, amazing man felt that way about me. I never let myself dream about this kind of future. Ever. I’m scared, but... I want this.
I swallow hard and get busy working. Now is not the time. I put a fluffy, perfect—if I do say so myself—pancake on a plate in front of Amber. She frowns though, not looking nearly as impressed as I’d hoped.
Gabe isn’t worried though. He just steps right up and adds some butter and syrup before cutting it up into little pieces. Something I’m certain he’s done many times before. “Try it,” he says to her, putting a small bite on her fork.
She takes it and puts it into her mouth, chewing it slowly. I swear I’m holding my goddamn breath, waiting for this tiny version of Gordan Ramsey to decide my fate.
Her eyes light up though, and then she takes another bite, finally forcing me to let out a relieved breath.
“Good?” Gabe checks.
“So good!” she says, taking another bite.
He laughs and swipes his hand over her hair. “Easy. Chew,” he urges with a heart-melting smile directed at her, but then he turns it my way. “Good job.”
I can’t help the pride that soars through me. “Thank you. Want some?”
“Of course,” he says, but he doesn’t stop at making a plate just for him, he makes one for me too and slides it in front of one of the three stools at his island. I didn’t notice there were three here before, and I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose, just the way the kitchen is designed.
But it still feels right as all three of us sit at the island, eating breakfast. After we eat, I do the dishes while Gabe gets Amber ready for school, just in time for the doorbell to ring.
“Mommy!” Amber says, shooting off toward the door with Gabe following after her.
“Amber, don’t answer the door without me,” he says exasperated, following after her but winking at me. “The kid has never met a stranger. I swear.”
I smile at that and walk slowly toward the door behind them, hoping to make a better impression with his ex. Amber pulls the door open and throws herself at her mom, who I didn’t really get a chance to see too much last night but now see is a stunning woman with a bright smile.
“Hey, baby.” She hugs her daughter, her belly protruding out but not keeping Amber back from snuggling into her at all. “Missed you.”
“Missed you too! I’m ready for school.”
“Okay.” The woman laughs. “Go get your backpack.”
“Okay!” Amber bounces off, and it leaves the three of us standing awkwardly in the doorway.
“I’m Shelly,” she says, reaching a petite hand out for me.
