I narrow my eyes toward the man in question. “Thought you couldn’t dance?”
He simply shrugs.
“Wait for me in the living room?” I ask, once he’s deposited her on her bed. “I shouldn’t be long.”
“You got it.” Wyatt bends down to press a kiss to the top of Prissy’s head, causing every last cell in my being to swoon. “Had a great time, Priss. We’ll have to do it again,” he says as he crosses the room.
“Just me and you?”
He pauses in the doorway looking back at me for permission, which I unwaveringly grant, with a bob of my head.
“Just me and you,” he echoes back.
My baby is smitten. “Night, Wyatt.”
“So, you really had a good time?” I ask once he’s left the room.
“Uh-huh.”
“And he danced?” I remove the pins she’s scratching at from her hair.
“Yep! I was so surprised,” she says, stepping out of the dress I just unzipped. “Wyatt’s got moves, Momma.”
“Does he?” I chuckle. “Slip your arms through,” I instruct after passing her nightgown over her head.
“It was just like in the movies, with everyone crowded around us.” The dreamy look in her eyes resembles the sensation warming my chest, and I think I know just how she feels.
“He’s really good to you,” I muse, shaking out her dress and draping it over the chair.
“Yeah,” she agrees, hopping back into bed. “And he’s super nice to you, too,” she presses.
“The best.”
“And soooo handsome.”
My cheeks flush. “He is definitely that as well.” I smooth her hair back, tugging the covers up to her neck before leaning down to smother her perfect little face in kisses.
“Momma?” Her voice beckons to me as I reach the door.
“Yeah, baby?”
“You think he likes us?”
“I know he does.”
She shifts to her side, propping her head up on her bent elbow. “No, I mean likes us, likes us?”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking.” Although I am. I’m just stalling for a minute—or ten—to come up with an answer.
She sighs. “I mean enough to be your boyfriend.”
“Well—I… Prissy, it’s just—”
“We’re not getting any younger, Momma.”
I snort. “We’re hardly a pair of old grannies.”
“He’s a fun dad.”
Dear Lord. This is exactly what I was afraid of. “Prissy, he’s not your dad.”
“Well, he didn’t get mad when I told everyone he was your boyfriend and was gonna be.”
“Priscilla Louise Daigle!” I’m suddenly weak and feeling a bit woozy. “Why on earth would you say that?”
“Because I want him to be.”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes as I stand there wordlessly staring into my daughter’s pleading face.
“Can you just consider it?”
I’m certainly not about to tell my six-year-old that it’s practically all I think about anymore. “Good night, child of mine,” I answer in a tone that bodes no argument.
“Night, mother of mine,” she grumbles in turn.
After shutting the door, I sag against it, replaying that conversation a dozen times, wondering if the way I handled it was acceptable, worrying I’m ruining my child’s life.
“Whit?” Wyatt calls. My heart rate increases with each footstep that draws near. “Hey.” The smile he flashed as he rounded the corner falters.
“Hey, you.” The mere sight of him has me shaking like a leaf.
“Did you change your mind about that talk? I can head on home if you’re tired.”
“No.” My reply is immediate. “You think maybe I could come with you?”
“Home?” He studies my features, no doubt trying to determine whether or not I’m serious.
I nod, swallowing hard. “To…to talk.”
“Yeah,” he says while nodding his head. “Mi casa es su casa.”
Dare I even hope?
My parents, of course, are more than willing to keep an eye on their beloved granddaughter so I can hang out with Wyatt for a bit. I knew they would be. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that one of them was responsible for planting this little fantasy of the three of us becoming a family in her head to begin with.
Being the upstanding man that he is, Wyatt insists I ride with him, even though he’ll have to bring me right back in a couple hours.
The man really is perfection personified. He’s charming. Beautiful, both inside and out. Thoughtful. And he makes it no secret that he adores my kid. I could certainly do worse. Come to think of it, I don’t think I could possibly do better.
So, what am I waiting for?
“Penis for your thoughts.”
“Huh?” I ask with a jump, knocking my head on the window. I must’ve misheard him.
“Just trying to get your attention.”
I shake my head, rubbing out the sting. “Well, that got it, all right.”
“We’re here.” He points through the windshield toward the house ten feet in front of us.
The truck is in park.
The motor’s off.
“How long have we been sitting here?”
“Not long, but I’m fucking freezing. Think we could go inside?”
“Of course.” I wink. “Was waitin’ on you.”
“Why are you acting so weird with me tonight?” he asks when we reach the living room and I can’t stop pacing. “Sit down.” He pats the couch beside him. “Please. You’re giving me anxiety.”
I nod, perching on the very edge of the cushion. My knees won’t stop vibrating while I search for the nerve to say what I came here to say.
“Why does it feel like you’re about to break up with me?”
“Jesus,” I groan, running a hand through my hair. “Have the whole bunch of you gone mad?”
His eyes widen as he stares after me, awaiting an explanation for my attitude.
“We’re not together.”
My pulse thrums as the corners of his mouth curve into a smile. “But we should be…and you know it.”
Shameless. “Prissy would like me to give this a shot.”
His jaw ticks. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him anything that even resembles frustrated with me. “At the moment, I’m a little more interested in what you think.”
With a contrite bob of my head, I spring back to my feet, crossing the room to stand in front of the fireplace. It’s imperative I put a little distance between us in order to get a handle on my thoughts. I can’t concentrate through the cloud of longing that takes over whenever he’s near. “I think…” I pause, choking back tears. “I think that I—I could be falling in love with you.” Worrying my hands, I have to force myself not to divert my gaze to the floor. I said it. Now, I’m going to own it.
The man who carries the lead role in my every dream rises from the couch, sauntering toward me with purpose. “Good. Because I’m already there.” He tilts my chin upward. “I’ve been for quite some time.”