I froze, my pulse ratcheting higher. I didn’t realize we were going to have this conversation now.
He seemed to take my silence for uncertainty, because he added, “If you need more time, please take it.”
There was a subtle reluctance in his voice, though. He needed an answer sooner rather than later.
“I’ve thought about it,” I said. “I don’t need more time.”
He waited, expectantly, expression controlled.
“I would really love to work for you.” I grinned. “Hailey is amazing. And you’re a great dad. I’d like to help.”
The silence that followed was so long it made my skin prickle.
Roman’s expression was hard to read, but something flickered there—relief, and something else too. Perhaps nervousness. I wasn’t sure a man like him was capable of being nervous, but that was my best guess.
He forced a smile. Or as much of a smile as Roman Ramsey could manage.
“Thank you.”
The way he said it made my stomach flip, like he meant it with his whole heart.
Heat crawled up my neck, and I turned back to the stove too quickly, pretending I suddenly needed to stir more.
“You’re welcome,” I mumbled.
Behind us, footsteps pounded down the stairs.
Hailey burst into the kitchen with damp hair and clean hands, wearing new pajamas even though it was the middle of the day. She seemed deeply pleased with herself.
“Oh my gosh,” she breathed, sniffing the air. “That smells amazing.”
She scrambled up onto the step stool like it was her rightful throne, and leaned toward the stove, watching like a supervisor I didn’t ask for.
I found a bag of marshmallows in the pantry—homemade, if the label on the container was anything to go by. Of course Roman’s mom made homemade marshmallows.
I poured three mugs of hot chocolate, careful not to spill, and dropped one marshmallow into each cup. We all sat down at the table together with our drinks.
Hailey didn’t even wait for her marshmallow to melt.
She grabbed hers with both hands, took a sip, and her eyes went comically wide. “Oh. My. Gosh.” Her head snapped toward Roman. “Daddy!”
Roman’s brows lifted, and Hailey thrust the mug toward him like it was evidence. “This is almost as good as Grandma’s hot chocolate.”
My stomach swooped.
Roman took a sip. For a second, his face didn’t change, and I braced myself.
Then his mouth curved—barely, but I took it as a smile. “That’s impressive.”
My face heated so fast I was sure I was turning the same shade as Hailey’s pajamas. “Thanks.”
I took a sip of my own hot chocolate, mostly to give myself something to do.
Hailey giggled like I’d said something hilarious. She launched into more stories of their sledding adventure, and the three of us fell into comfortable conversation. Roman still didn’t talk much, but Hailey did enough for the both of them.
I found myself laughing and talking more than I ever usually would. Hailey was like a little ray of sunshine, dragging the best out of people.
We were finishing the last of the hot chocolate when Roman’s phone rang.
