“I’ll have you know, I used to make my own cookies all the time,” he said. “Mom didn’t have the time. If I wanted cookies, I had to make them myself.”
That was one of the saddest things I ever heard. We spent the next hour making cookies and popcorn, all of us together in my kitchen. I never would have imagined I would be spending my day making cookies with Nash.
“I can order some food,” Nash offered.
I shook my head. “Nope, we are having a lazy day. I’ll make grilled cheese. You two go sit and find the movie. My card is connected to the service.”
While he and Jace settled in on the couch, I made the sandwiches. I kept peeking around the wall to watch them. I didn’t really notice it before, but I noticed now as I stared at the backs of their heads. Their hair color was almost identical. I noticed the similarities between them a little more every time they were together. We were walking into dangerous territory.
“All right, did you order the movie?” I asked as I carried the sandwiches in on a plate.
“We did,” Jace said with a bright smile.
I put the sandwiches on the coffee table next to the bowl of popcorn. I sat down on one end of the couch with Jace in the middle and Nash on the other end. We started the movie and settled in. Nash had his arm stretched across the back of the couch. He would occasionally run his fingers over my shoulder. He would offer me a smile or wink and I would smile in return.
We did all this without letting Jace see. It was kind of fun to sneak around. After the movie, Jace was antsy. I should have known there was no such thing as a lazy day with an energetic little boy. “It stopped raining,” Jace said. “Can we go to the park?”
“We’re supposed to have a lazy day,” I told him. “I’m not even dressed.”
“Just for a little bit,” Jace said.
I blew out a breath. If I didn’t get the kid out of the house, he was going to be spun out for the rest of the day. “Fine, I need to get dressed,” I said before looking at Nash. “Would you like to extend your day of fun with a trip to the park?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
I was confused by his attitude. This was not the same Nash I knew from work. “All right, I’m going to clean up and put some real clothes on.”
“Do you need any help?” he offered.
“Stop,” I hissed.
“I had to try.”
I left him in the living room and quickly dressed. I washed my face and redid my messy hair a little. I brushed my teeth, just in case there was a chance I could sneak a kiss while Jace was distracted. I felt like I owed him at least a kiss. He didn’t know what an impact he was making in Jace’s world. Watching a movie with him and simply being near was making Jace very happy.
When I returned to the living room, Nash had cleaned up. He was loading the dishes into the dishwasher with a dish towel draped over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning up,” he said.
“Do you even know how to use a dishwasher?” I teased.
“Very funny. Like I mentioned before, I was alone a lot and I did the majority of the housework. I’ll admit I haven’t done the dishes in a few years but it’s not all that hard.”
I stepped forward and was about to kiss him when I heard Jace’s bedroom door open. “I’m ready,” Jace said as he bounded out of his bedroom. “Can we go?”
“Saved by the bell,” he whispered.
“Are you ready?” I asked Nash.
“I am. We can take my car.”
“Uh, I don’t think a Porsche is going to work.”
“I brought the Escalade,” he said with a laugh.
“Oh, then by all means,” I said.
We went to the park that was thankfully not too busy. I sat on a bench and watched Jace and Nash. In the back of my mind, I could hear Joss lecturing me. Watching the two of them together was making me question my decision. Was I wrong to have kept the secret?
I didn’t know what to think. Part of me was certain this was still just a passing fancy for Nash. He’d move on soon enough. He would remember he didn’t want a family. Jace would be hurt when Nash left, but it wouldn’t be nearly as bad if he knew Nash was his father. That would crush my son. I couldn’t let it happen.
They came over a little later out of breath and looking very satisfied. “Nash said we can go get milkshakes,” Jace said.
“He did?” I asked with raised brows.
“I’m thirsty,” Nash said. He was out of breath. “I used to think I was in shape. Not anymore. I can’t keep up with an eight-year-old.”
“They are machines,” I said. “All right, let’s go get some milkshakes.”
He drove us to a diner. We were quickly seated. Jace was even more hyper than before the park. “You broke him,” I said to Nash. “And now you’re going to give him ice cream.”
“He’ll crash,” Nash said. “What flavor are you getting?” Nash asked Jace.
“Chocolate,” Jace answered. “What about you?”
“I’m going for the chocolate too. With lots of whipped cream.”
“What about you, Mom?” Jace asked.
“I think I might just have a soda,” I said. “I’m still riding high on the donuts and cookies.”
A waitress came to stand by the table. “Well, hello, family,” she said with a bright smile. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see a nice young family enjoying each other without their faces in phones.”
I didn’t correct her. Neither did Nash. “Thank you,” I said.
“What can I get you guys?”
“We want milkshakes,” Nash said. “Two chocolate shakes with whipped cream.”
“And a diet soda for me,” I said.
The waitress flashed me a wink. “It just isn’t fair is it?” she said. “Us ladies look at a brownie and we gain five pounds.”
“So true,” I commiserated.
“All right, guys,” she said and looked at Nash, then Jace again. “Boy, there’s no denying this one, huh?” She winked. “Beautiful family.”
She walked away. I was certain my stomach was on the floor. I had no words. Nash looked at me like he didn’t understand. I looked away. I couldn’t look at him. There was a slightly awkward silence until Jace filled the air with more conversation about how high he went on the swing.
When the waitress returned with our drinks, I silently prayed she said nothing more. “You boys enjoy,” she said and walked away. Nash took a drink of his shake. That was when our eyes met. He suspected something. He was watching me, questioning me.
I smiled. “Good?”
“Very good.”
He said nothing more. I could see the wheels turning. The waitress had planted a seed.
Chapter 66
Nash
I couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it was there. I had barely slept the night before. I kept replaying what the waitress said. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but it unsettled me.
I had spent the night comparing Jace to myself. The eyes were the one thing I just couldn’t get past. I had noticed how similar our eyes were. They were the same shade of brown and we both had thick brows. Our hair was similar as well. I didn’t think I was really a remarkable man and my features weren’t exactly anything that set me apart from any other man, but I knew my face well enough. I knew every detail and I was picking apart Jace’s features.