“Yeah, a concussion can make you dizzy,” I said, takingthe bowl from her hands. “I’ll cook the pancakes, and you can set the table for us.” I motioned to the stack of plates I’d pulled from the cabinet.
If Bennie had knocked thirty seconds later, my mouth would have been between Stella’s legs and who knows what else my daughter would have heard.
Despite the mortification, a smile twitched at my lips. Stella was passionate and loud, even if she tried to cover her mouth to muffle her screams. Now that I was allowing myself to love her, or stop denying that I did, I was already hooked.
“I thought someone said pancakes,” Stella said, coming up to Bennie. “Daddy said you guys make the best.”
“We do,” she said, wrapping her arms around Stella’s waist.
Stella’s hair was still wet, pulled back in a long ponytail that hung over her shoulder. Her yoga pants clung to all my favorite curves enough to make my mouth water. She smiled when she caught my gaze, her eyes making a quick perusal of my body.
“They have chocolate chips. Daddy doesn’t let me put them in because he says I use too many.” I could make out the jut of her pouted lip from across the kitchen.
“That is something I would do.” She cupped Bennie’s chin before heading to the coffeepot. “I’m allowed to have caffeine, right, Doc?”
“Actually, no. Not today. I made you decaf, and I’ll drink it with you. Just for today. Tomorrow, if you’re still feeling okay, then you can have the real stuff.”
“Picky on which rules to follow, I guess,” she said, pursing her lips, still swollen and taunting me.
“I thought you said that Stella was dizzy and that’s why you had to give her a shower?”
“I said shecould bedizzy,” I said, flipping a pancake a little too hard and almost sending it across the stove.
Stella came up to me, stifling a laugh.
“Can I take the pile of pancakes to the table, or are you still afraid I’ll get dizzy?” she asked, the corner of her mouth twitching and beckoning me for another taste.
“I think you can handle it.” I handed her the plate. “I’ll watch you. I may have to put you to bed early later, just in case.”
An adorable blush stained her cheeks as she took the plate to the table.
How was I going to sleep in the same house with her and not have her in my bed? Maybe I was just torturing us more by making us wait, but I wanted a bigger conversation first before I took that last technical, but massive step.
“I think someone is at the door,” Bennie said as she stabbed her fork into the pancake with the most chips.
I checked the doorbell camera video screen in the kitchen and, sure enough, two people were climbing up our last step just as the doorbell chimed. Their heads were turned, so I couldn’t make out their faces.
“Weird,” Stella said, crinkling her nose. “Are you expecting anyone to stop by today?”
“Nope. Stay here.”
I headed to the door and found Gary’s face on the other side of the peephole.
“What the hell?” I said as I opened the door.
“Surprise!” Gary yelled before pulling me into a hug.
“Damn, it’s good to see you,” I said, slapping his back. “How long has it been since I’ve even heard from you?” I pushed him back. Gary was shorter than me, stocky but solid. I had no idea what he did in the army or why he disappeared for months at a time.
But if I ever needed him, he’d fly across the world like he had when Katie had passed away.
“Hey, my wife barely heard from me.” He adjusted the camouflage baseball cap on his head. “Secret missions are like that, but I’ll fill you in. You look good,” Gary said, slapping my shoulder. “Still on the road and cracking bones, I hear.”
“Yes, I travel but stay on the grid, my guy.”
“Yes, secret missions are great for worried mothers a world away,” Mrs. Parker quipped from behind Gary. “My baby boy surprised me and wanted to see his sister. I told him she was here, and he offered to bring me for a visit. It happened so fast, and I guess I was in shock, that we forgot to call first.”
“That’s…great,” I stammered, all the elation over seeing one of my best friends after so long dwindling into dread. Gary was always protective over his sister, and she’d kill him if she ever knew how many guys he’d scared off over the years. I’d helped him, but she’d be madder at him if she found out.
