“No. You said that she couldn’t eat Valentine’s Day cookies.”
I narrow my gaze, studying him. “Did you help her find a loophole?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Like I need to do that. She said those were suggestions, not instructions.”
“Ha, of course, she did.”
He takes my hand. “You look tired. Why don’t you take a long bath?”
“I’d rather spend that time with you than soaking. Plus, I don’t have a bathtub.”
“Come with me to find a big house. I’ll make sure it has a big-ass bathtub where we both can fit.”
My eyebrows knit together in almost a frown. Why would he want to buy a huge place for just one? I don’t want to shut him down because it might not even be about me. I try to sound casual when I ask, “You’re finally buying a house?”
“I have an appointment with a realtor this Wednesday. You can come with me.”
Standing behind me, he runs his hands up and down my arms as he nibbles on my neck. It’s almost impossible to chew when he’s doing that. I try to ignore him, but it’s difficult not to react. I shiver. He laughs. “Come with me, babe. I promise to find a closet where we can have a quickie.”
I’m tempted to say yes. It might be his touch that distracts me and makes me say stupid things like yes, let’s go steady. Plus, I like to go to open houses. Imagine what I could do if I could buy a lot and build my own place. That’s ridiculous, Autumn; think with your head. “No.”
“No?”
As lovely as it’d be to go with him, I have to set some boundaries before things get out of hand and our secret becomes the talk of everyone we know. “I work.”
“No, you don’t. Matilda told me that’s your free day.”
I shake my head. Of course, my kid told him my schedule. If I’m not careful, she’s going to go back to playing matchmaker. “You and my child shouldn’t be left alone. But thank you for keeping an eye on her. You literally saved my life.”
“I doubt your life was in any danger, but I’m glad I was able to help. If you ever need me, I can be here right away. Actually, add me to your roster of babysitters.”
“You want to be added to the roster?” I repeat the last part to make sure I heard him right. It’s crazy, isn’t it? “Why?”
“We had fun. It’ll be easier than driving her to your mom’s. Which, by the way, she doesn’t like much,” he whispers the last sentence as if it’s a conspiratorial secret.
Though his offer sounds amazing, I’m not sure if he realizes what he’s trying to sign up for. “Are you sure you want to be part of the team?”
“It’d be my pleasure. We could do Saturday night so that we can spend Sundays together.”
All of a sudden, things feel too serious or too comfortable. Probably both. I’ve dreamt of a guy who’d be here for us. Spending the weekends together, being my partner-in-crime as he helps me raise Matilda. But that guy died years ago. I have to remind myself that my chance is over, and I shouldn’t look for flying unicorns when I know they don’t exist.
Noticing his blue nails, I find a safer subject. “Did you use my nail polish? I have a lipstick that matches it.”
He chuckles. “Teddy said it’d be a good activity to do with a seven-year-old girl.”
Does his sister know about us? Afraid of the answer, I focus on my kid. “Did Matilda paint her nails?”
“No. She said that blue wasn’t her color, and you wouldn’t let her paint her nails until the end of the month.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Impressive. She broke only a few rules.”
“You seem surprised.”
I chuckle. “She outsmarts a lot of people.”
“I can see that. I let her get away with stuff because, as she said, I’m still new. I want her to trust me.”
My child and her logic. She’s trying to see how far she can go with Zach. Hopefully, he’ll be smart enough to put a stop to her world domination plans while I’m not around. We talked about their evening. Even though I don’t plan to have Zach around for long, I’m glad that he and Matilda are getting to know each other.
After I finish eating, I say, “Let me go and take a shower.”
He gives me a mischievous smile. “Can I join you? I’m good at lathering skin.”
“As long as you’re quiet.”
“I’ll be as silent as a monk.”
On Monday morning, I got a call from Aiden. “Hey, I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“I’m just glad you guys are safe, but next time, call. I was worried about you guys.”
“Sorry.” He exhales. “It was a nightmare. We couldn’t even call you.”
“It’s okay. The important thing is that you’re safe and…Did you have fun?”
He lets out a loud breath. “I think we did. Our marriage survived this trip. Well, yesterday, to be precise. It was a fucking nightmare. She didn’t kill me or leave me. That has to mean something, right?”
“You two are adorable.”
“She is adorable. I’m just her plus-one. So, what happened last night? Mom said you didn’t drop the pumpkin with her or call her to watch Matilda. Do you need me to pay for the tips you lost or something? I feel awful.”
“It’s okay.” I don’t plan on telling him anything, except if I don’t do it, Matilda will, and I’m afraid of her story. “Zach helped me.”
He growls. “Zach again?”
“Is there a problem with that? Are people not allowed to help your sister because you have issues with them?”
“No, it’s just strange. He’s been out of our lives for a long time.”
“Your friendship with him is an issue between the two of you. He’s a good friend of mine.”
More than a friend, but I’m not going to tell you about that, big brother.
“How so?”
“We have a lot in common.”
And, of course, that’s not enough for him. “What can you possibly have in common with him? He’s a St. James. A wealthy playboy asshole, just like his brothers. The fact that he lived in Boston for the past twelve years doesn’t change anything.”
He’s wrong, and I don’t like that he’s judging Zach. I get that after what happened with Dad, he resented all his friends. However, he forgets how much the St. Jameses and the Bradleys did for us.
“Did you know he lost his wife?”
“No?” I’m not sure why that word sounds like a question.
“Well, he’s my grief buddy.”
Aiden goes quiet. There’s nothing he can say that will top that statement. There’s no such thing as a grief buddy, but he backs off if I mention grief or anything related to Pax’s passing. My brother is so easy. Too easy.
“Well, I’m glad you have someone. Just be careful.”
“Why?”
“You know the St. Jameses are trouble. They don’t have long-lasting relationships.”
“Did you hear me when I said his wife died?”
He groans.
“Hey, I have to get Matilda ready for school. I’m glad you two are back and safe.”