“He sent me presents every year since I was born. I only met him a few months ago, but I love him.”
“Evan is a special man,” I agreed.
She nodded. “His sister is my mom, but she doesn’t like us. I don’t know her, and that’s okay. Daddy explained she doesn’t like anyone very much—even herself, which is sad. I like me. Daddy likes me. We have our own family. Do you have a family, Ms. McNeil?”
Her words make my chest ache. She stated them so matter-of-factly. But I smiled at her.
“I think outside school, you can call me Amy, okay?”
She nodded.
“My parents live in Halifax, where I grew up.”
“Do you have sisters or brothers?”
“One brother.”
“Does he have kids?”
“No. Not yet.”
“I want a brother or a sister. Maybe both. But Daddy says we have to wait.”
I met Simon’s eyes across the room where he was leaning against the counter watching us.
“Wait?” I replied.
She nodded. “We have to have a Mommy to have babies. Do you want babies, Amy?”
Simon cleared his throat. “Mia, that’s personal.”
“I’m just asking, Daddy.”
“I would like children, yes,” I replied.
“Do you like little girls?” she asked.
I realized she was interviewing me in her own way. Her eyes reminded me of Simon’s. Anxious, waiting for my reply.
“I love little girls,” I assured her.
“Daddy says I’m smart and well-behaved.”
“Most of the time,” Simon interjected.
“None of us is perfect,” I replied. Then I looked down at Mia. “I agree with your daddy. You are smart. And I like you, Mia.”
She beamed. “I like you too.” She jumped off her stool. “I’m going to wash my hands for supper.”
She rushed off, and Simon leaned on the counter. “I think you passed,” he said dryly. “Sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. She can ask me things. It’s fine.”
“You’re good with her.”
“I like kids. I love talking to them and hearing their thoughts. Their process fascinates me.”
He leaned closer. “You fascinate me.”
I picked up my wine. “Stop it.”
“I mean it.”
Mia reappeared, skidding to a halt. “Daddy, why are you so close to Amy? Are you trying to kiss her again?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied. “She was talking really quietly, so I had to lean close to listen.”
“Hmmph.”
The timer rang on the oven, and Simon winked. “Saved by the bell. Dinner is ready, my ladies. Go sit down, and I’ll bring it in.”
I curled up on the sofa, waiting for Simon. Dinner had been delicious. Simon made a great lasagna, and I made sure to admire the layers Mia helped with. The garlic bread was soft and the cake a huge success. It felt oddly intimate sitting in the dining room with them, listening to their conversations and laughter, joining in when I could. It felt like being part of a family. After dinner, I helped clean up, and then Simon ran a bath for Mia and she asked if I would read to her. I picked a book and sat at the little table with the book open on it. Simon sat beside her on the bed, and she laid her head on his lap as she listened, falling asleep surprisingly fast. Before climbing into bed, she had stopped by the table.
“Thank you for the cake, Amy. And for coming. Will you come again?”
“I would like that.”
She flung her arms around my neck, and I hugged her hard. She was warm and sweet-smelling from her bath. She snuggled into my embrace, and I held her close, feeling strangely emotional as I did. I wanted to tuck her in. Stroke her hair. Sing to her. I had the feeling she wanted that as well.
But she drew back and kissed my cheek. “I like you,” she whispered. “Daddy does too. Please come back.”
Then she headed to her dad, leaving me feeling warm and wanted.
I’d slipped from the room as Simon tucked her in and waited for him downstairs. When he appeared, he sat beside me, taking my hand.
“Thanks. She liked that.”
“Not a problem. I enjoyed it.”
He sighed. “I’m a package deal, Amy.”
“I know that. I knew it the day I met you.”
“My ex did a number on me. She shook my confidence. All I was to her was a cash cow. All Mia was to her was a way to keep getting money.”
“You’re way more than that.”
He turned to me. “You made me feel that way. You made me feel as if you saw me.”
“I do see you. I don’t like you because you have money, Simon. I’m not built that way.”
“I know.”
“What happened the other morning?”
He took my hand. “I swore I would never get myself in the position of letting my heart get broken again. I swore I would take it slow. But with you, there is no slow, Amy. It scared me. One dinner, one night with you, and I was seeing forever. Seeing you in my kitchen, in my bedroom, except it was our kitchen, our bedroom, our home. I hadn’t even introduced you to Mia. Seen how the two of you interacted. She has to come first, and I was falling for you without even thinking of her. It shocked me.”
“And you pulled back.”
“Like an idiot, yes. Trust me, Holly reamed me well. So did Evan. I retreated when I should have advanced. I should have told you how I was feeling.”
“My last boyfriend shut me out. Then walked away after he told me I was too out there for him. He was tired of my bohemian ways and the fact that I was different from other women. He was embarrassed to be seen with me. It hurt.”
He shook his head, pulling my hand to his chest. “That’s what draws me to you, Amy. I like your openness, your honesty, and your way of looking at things. My ex-wife was cold. Removed. She walked away from Mia without a glance. Divorced me without a thought. I like how you see me. How you act with my daughter. I want to explore this with you. I want you to try with me.” He paused. “If you can forgive my actions and want to.”
“You won’t pull away again?”
“No. I was an idiot. But I’m a fast learner, and it will not happen again.”
“Then, yes.”
“Thank God.”
And his mouth was on mine.
A lifetime passed with Simon’s lips on mine. He kept me close, our bodies melded together as we lost ourselves to the passion of the moment. Everything was amplified. His touch, his taste, his scent soaked into my senses, forever imprinting themselves in my mind.
We broke apart, our eyes locked. His gaze was hooded and dark. He dragged his thumb over my lips.
“Jesus, Amy, I want you.”
I opened my mouth, and he shook his head. “I know we can’t. I can’t rush you. I have to prove myself.”
“You have proven yourself. You introduced me to Mia.”
“I want to introduce you to everyone. As mine.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Slow your roll, Romeo.”
His voice was low and raspy. “I told you—with you, there is no slow.” He drew in a deep breath. “With Kelsey, I constantly had doubts, made excuses for her in my mind. With you, all I feel is a rightness. You fit with Mia and me so well.” Then he frowned. “But wait, how are you feeling about this? Being involved with a man with a child? Being involved with my child? I mean—”