“Dakota,” I say, my trembling hand shaking hers.
She smirks at Gabe. “Even hotter with clothes on. How is that even possible?”
Gabe just laughs as I blush. “I know, right?”
“I’m ready!” Amber comes back out, dressed for school with her backpack slung over both shoulders. “Mommy, did you meet daddy’s boyfriend?”
“I did,” Shelly says and nods toward me. “He’s right here.”
Amber looks over at me, “Oh, yeah.” She giggles, and I’m not sure what’s so funny, but we all laugh anyway. “Hey, you’re the one with the kittens, right?”
She’s just connected the dots, I suppose. I nod. “Mm-hmm.”
“Oh God, you have kittens?” Shelly says. “You are perfect, huh?”
I don’t know how to answer that but don’t have to because Gabe wraps an arm around my waist. “Totally perfect.” He looks at his daughter. “Maybe I’ll bring you to Dakota’s to meet them soon. He has a really cool house out in the country.”
“Oh yeah!” She lights up, and I feel that pride inside me again.Good call on inheriting a house out in the country, past Dakota.“Can we go today?” she asks me, and I look to both of her parents.
Her mom just laughs. “Soon. We’re supposed to go see Grandma and Grandpa after school today, remember?”
“Fine,” she pouts, but I don’t think she’s too upset. Her wide eyes look up at me. “Don’t name them until I meet them, okay? I have ideas, but I need to meet them first.”
I smile and hold up one hand, like I’m swearing on a Bible or something. “I promise.”
“Okay, good. Thanks for the pancakes! I give them a nine.”
“Just a nine?” I frown, and she cackles, putting her little hand on my arm like she’s trying to make me feel better.
“You’ll get there.”
I laugh, and Shelly looks exasperated, shaking her head and apologizing before they head out. Gabe closes the door behind them, still laughing.
“She’s quite the character.”
He laughs, facing me and his hands going to my upper arms. “Oh, man. You have no idea. Keeps me on my toes for sure.”
“She’s really cute.”
“Don’t fall under her spell too much. You’ll never get out.” He kisses me sweetly, and I take the moment to just be with him. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, wanting so much more.
I’m a little sore after last night, but in the absolute best way. And I’d still take him right back to bed if I could.
“I have to get to work so I can get out to your house.” He smiles against my lips. “And then... dinner and a documentary at your house after?”
I nod my head so fast, I nearly knock into him. “Yes. But what if she needs you again tonight?”
He pulls back enough to look into my eyes, and I swear I see the love shining through him. Gabe couldn’t hide how he felt if he tried, and I like that about him. I like so many things about him. “God, I love you.”
“What?” I asked him, stunned. I mean, I know he said it last night, and I know he means it, but the sure way he says it...
“I love you. Thank you for worrying about her, but Shelly has my number. And now that she knows about us, she can find me.”
I nod my head. “I, um...”Love him too. Say it!
But the words are stuck, and he seems unbothered. He’s in a great mood when we part ways for me to go to my house, while he heads to work. And he’s still in a fantastic mood when he gets to my house.
I have to get some work done today on my computer, but I manage to hang out with him a bit. And the whole time my brain is screaming...
