Her brows came together in an adorable frown. “A date?”
“Yes. An official date.”
“That’s all you want?” She tilted her head as if it were the most confusing concept.
Jake nodded.
“Fine. I’ll go on anofficial datewith you.” He had expected resistance, maybe some argument. What he hadn’t been prepared for was her easy capitulation.
“Marley, did you hear that?” He needed a witness to reassure him he hadn’t misheard her.
“Yes! The slow blink worked!”
“What the hell is this slow blink you guys keep talking about?” Gia turned to look at Marley, who adopted an innocent look.
“Nothing!” Marley answered, though it was hardly convincing. “Oh, Jake, you should take her to the fall festival tonight!”
“Great idea, Marley.” He winked at Gia. “Okay, well, I’m going to put pants on while you ladies figure out where to put… that thing.”
Gia nodded, avoiding his eyes. “Right. Pants would be good.”
Jake walked backward, a smug grin plastered across his face as he headed back upstairs. The wood creaked beneath each step. It seemed the cat had calmed down and accepted her fate, or maybe she’d tired herself out with all her hollering. He hadn’t been prepared to host a pregnant cat and its kittens, but if it landed him a date with Gia, he’d take it.
Besides, it wasn’t like he was planning to keep the kittens.
Twenty-Three
GIA
Marley led the way to the back of the house with the crate cradled in her arms. The cat had quieted down ever since Jake announced it could stay. Maybe it sensed it was safe for the time being. Or perhaps it had finally tired itself out.
They passed by the living room, where a dark leather couch sat in front of a large flat-screen television mounted above the fireplace. She spotted framed photographs lining the mantel, along with some trinkets. A plush rug sat in the middle of the room, tempting her to feel it with her bare feet. The hardwood floors were dark gray with white and gold accents, teasing at a long-forgotten memory.
Marley took her through the kitchen, not noticing when Gia stopped in her tracks to survey the magnificent room ripped right out of a home decor magazine. The white and gray marble island separated a cozy breakfast nook set against large windows overlooking the lake.
The house was gorgeous with its high ceilings and modern furnishings, but what stood out to her was howhomeyit felt without feeling hollow, like her apartment back in LA.
While she was chasing her dreams, Jake had built a beautifulhome and a family. A pang of regret laced with longing pierced her heart.
What if she could have all of this? Would she feel less alone?
If she had never left…
Stop it, Gia, she admonished herself. There was no use in what-ifs. All she had was the present.
And a completely nude Jake, whose footsteps were audible above her. She tried to push the sight of Jake, still wet from the shower and only in a towel, out of her mind—but man, Jake wasjacked!
Where did all those muscles come from?Jake had always been in shape, and there were many times he’d walked around without a shirt, but her memories paled compared to how well Jake had aged. His abs had only grown more defined, with valleys creating a perfect trail for her tongue to trace.
Whoa. Down, girl.
She was getting ahead of herself, but watching a droplet of water trail down his body had doneinappropriatethings to her. The last thing she needed was to be caught drooling, but she was afraid it was too late.
The cat was literally out of the bag.
“Okay, I don’t have any gates, but I think the mudroom should be fine,” Marley muttered while Gia followed closely behind with the bag of cat food and treats she’d brought from the car in one hand.
Marley set the crate down in the corner, facing out so the cat could watch them.
