“Hey, Jess. How’s city life treating you?” Taylor’s voice is chipper and bright, even through the phone.
She’s only a year younger than me, and we’ve been close since we were kids. Working together to raise your four younger siblings will bond you in ways you didn’t think possible, even if she’s kind of the yin to my yang. It’s only been a little over a week since we last talked, but it feels like we haven’t caught up in forever.
“So good, Tay. You have no idea,” I say with a low chuckle.
Taylor makes an interested noise, somewhere between a cluck and a chuckle. “You like living above an older couple that much, huh?” she teases.
“Well, I do love how close I am to work.”
“Oh yeah, how are things going with the hunky dad? He’s not going all pervy on you, is he?”
I know Taylor’s just trying to be a good sister, but I can’t keep my stomach from sinking a little. This isn’t exactly how I wanted this conversation to go.
“Pervy’s not how I’d describe it.”
“What does that mean?” Taylor’s tone is flat, analytical. She’s always been the brainy one, needing facts and data.
“He’s really sweet, Tay. Like, shockingly sweet. And he’s so good with Marley. We’ve been hanging out, kind of. I mean, I’m friends with his friends now, and they’re all super cool. I’m actually starting to feel like I’ve found my people here.”
“Isn’t this the guy who owns a sex shop?”
“Co-owns. And they sell adult toys. That doesn’t make them monsters. What’s wrong with a little pleasure now and then?” I say it as lightly and jokingly as possible, but Taylor only half laughs.
“Right.”
“I think you’d really like him, actually,” I say. “He’s smart like you. And he’s got this great sense of humor. He’s such an easy guy to be around. I think you two would really get along.”
“Why would I meet your boss?”
Her tone isn’t accusing or mean, but I can’t help feeling like I’m a little in trouble. She may be younger than me, but I swear sometimes Taylor acts like such a big sister.
“We, uh, may or may not have gone on the best first date I’ve had in my whole life,” I say quickly. “And I know what you’re going to say, but believe me, it’s not what it sounds like. Connor’s such a gentleman, and I didn’t even realize he was asking me out at first. I think we have a genuine connection. I mean, our chemistry is freaking unbelievable.”
I giggle through the last few words, and Taylor clears her throat.
I gulp. Yep, I’m definitely in trouble.
“Jess, don’t you think it’s a little unwise to start dating someone new? You’re about to leave the country for six months.”
She’s not saying anything I don’t already know, but that doesn’t change the fact that her words sting like a slap to the face.
I take in a sharp breath and try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. “Yeah, I mean, I know it’s complicated, but Connor knows about the trip, and he’s cool with it.”
“Is that really fair to either of you, though? Are you going to ask him to wait for you? Are you going to wait for him? Who’s to say that your soul mate isn’t waiting for you in Central America? Do you really want to be too hung up on a single dad to even see it?”
Okay, that doesn’t sting. That fucking hurts.
“That’s really harsh, Tay.”
“I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. I just want you to be realistic, so that you don’t get your feelings hurt six and a half months from now.”
It feels like my stomach is filled with a giant pile of boulders. I take a deep breath and push away any sadness or anger that’s trying to enter my mind.
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got it handled,” I say, my voice stiff and a little cold.
Taylor sighs. “Jess, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I just want you to be careful, that’s all.”
“Got the message loud and clear. Hey, I’ve got to go, Marley’s waking up from her nap. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay. I love you, Jess. I just want what’s best for you.”
“Mm-hmm. Okay. ’Bye.”
I hang up and throw my head back on the sofa. I had a feeling Taylor might be suspicious of Connor, but her fully shutting down any possibility that this will end well? That wasn’t what I was expecting.
I check the baby monitor app on my phone to find Marley babbling and waving her arms around. It’s time to push my worries about Connor aside and do the job he’s paying me for. I’ll have to figure out how to feel about all this later.
The rest of the afternoon breezes by. I read a couple of books to Marley before she gets bored and reaches for her toys. I’m just laying her down for tummy time in the living room when I hear the front door unlock, and my stomach lurches.
I guess in all my worrying about Connor, I sort of forgot that I’d actually have to see him at some point today.
Our eyes meet the moment he walks through the door, and it’s like everything Taylor said about how I might get hurt just disappears. He flashes me a smile, and it sets off a firework show in my chest. Taylor might be trying to protect me, but she doesn’t know him. More importantly, she doesn’t know us. And “us” is something I’m dying to learn more about.
“Sorry I’m a little late. I had a meeting that seemed to drag on forever. How was my baby girl today?” he asks, setting his sleek leather briefcase on the counter and joining me on the floor.
This is what I love about Connor. Even in his dress pants and button-down shirt, he doesn’t think twice about crouching down on the carpet to play with his daughter. I’d be melting into a sappy sweet puddle if he weren’t so damn fun to look at.
I lick my lips and smile down at Marley. “She was an angel, as always. I already fed her. She’s just been waiting up for you.” We both have.
“How about I put her down, and you and I have a glass of wine on the couch. Did you eat? I can whip us up a quick dinner first.” Connor picks Marley up and cradles her in his arms. She’ll be too big to hold like that soon, and I can tell he’s trying to soak up every minute of it.
“You cook?” I stare at him with surprise all over my face. Sometimes he makes it too easy to tease him.
He leans in close to me, so his face is within a foot of mine. I can smell his cologne and practically feel his breath on my skin.
“I can boil water,” he says, “and they make really good jarred pasta sauce these days.”
I laugh, and the corners of his eyes crinkle. “Pasta sounds delicious.”
Connor stands and carries Marley to her bouncy seat near the kitchen, which he straps her into. My heart pounds while I wait for him to finish, and I decide to put a pot of water on the stove, rather than just stare at his backside.
When he joins me in the kitchen, he arches a playful brow. “I thought I was the one making you dinner.”
“You worked hard all day,” I say with a shrug. “I figured the least I could do was help.”