I let out a long breath as I erased my original message. Thank God I didn’t send it. Poor Jack had too much going on to even think about dating—especially when Greta was probably right. We weren’t exactly a match made in heaven.
But just because our paths didn’t cross for love, didn’t mean they didn’t cross for a reason. My gut was screaming that the two of us were supposed to come together. Maybe it had less to do with dating and more to do with healing his broken life. Which made my reply simple.
Me: I’ll do it. I’ll watch the kids tomorrow. And the next couple days too, if you need time to find a permanent replacement.
My heart pounded as I waited for his response, almost more than it would have if I’d sent the message I’d deleted. When Jack’s reply finally arrived, I grinned like I’d won the world.
Jack: You are an angel sent from heaven, but I can’t ask you to drop your life to rescue mine.
Me: I don’t have a lot going on yet. Besides, I like your kids. For the record, you’re not so bad yourself.
Chapter Nine
Amelia
I spent the night curled up on my couch, thinking about Jack—his hair, his eyes, the way the corner of his lips twitched before he unleashed a full smile. But most importantly? That goodbye hug and all the possible implications of what it could mean. I dissected every second, every breath, every movement. I was a scientist hunched over a microscope, searching for understanding.
The lingering connection.
The gentle brush of his fingers along my back.
Nothing about the way he touched me said he just wanted to be friends and everything about my reaction agreed with him.
What would have happened if we’d kept going? Had we been on the verge of a kiss? Would his hands have slipped under my shirt, skated along the edge of my bra? Would his lips have grazed mine? Hot? Needy? Insistent?
I tucked my legs up on the couch, clutching a pillow to my stomach while trailing a finger across my lips, daydreaming of what might have followed…until I remembered Jack’s reaction to Greta’s Facebook post.
…that’s a little presumptuous of her to assume we’re dating.
“Easy now,” I whispered, readjusting the pillow under my head. “Let’s not get ahead of yourself.”
When I wasn’t having inappropriate thoughts of Jack, my mind went to the kids—which definitely put a different spin on my mood. What in the world was I going to do with them all day? As a teenager, I’d never gotten any babysitting offers and had no experience with kids other than what I’d been doing with the Coopers. I didn’t come with a bag full of goodies or tricks up my sleeve to settle them down if the day got out of hand, and I really wanted Jack to come home to another calm evening.
They’d been so interested in arranging and designing the fruit I brought the day before, I decided we’d make cupcakes and they could decorate. Considering I’d never done more than open a package when it came to baking, the project could backfire spectacularly.
I added a checkmark in a mental cons column.
But, I didn’t think the kids would mind how they came out as long as we had fun while we made them—which landed firmly in the pros column.
Evie would laugh at me for yet another strange snack choice, from organic fruit, to fast food, to homemade baked goods, which would seem like a con, but it really wasn’t. She could tease all she wanted. I didn’t fit into a box and that was the way I liked it.
And Jack seemed to like it too. Definitely a massive pro.
Besides, it’d be my first foray into preparing food from scratch, which pretty much meant the pros outweighed the cons.
“I bet Jack makes checklists,” I murmured with a smile, though I suspected they were much more formal than mine. There were probably spreadsheets and formulas involved in every decision—even getting dressed. Which was adorable, until my mind latched onto the idea of him standing shirtless in front of his closet…
Then suddenly, my imagination added me to the scene. Equally shirtless and totally turned on…
With thoughts like that for company, I got ready for bed and snuggled under the down comforter. Finally, after watching things escalate between imaginary Jack and me for an enjoyably long time, I drifted off to sleep.
What felt like just a few hours later, the sun peeked above the horizon, scattering light like confetti into my bedroom. I stretched, feeling life seep into my limbs, then sat up, surprised I’d woken before my alarm. You could call me many things, but ‘morning person’ wouldn’t make the list.
I was excited to see Jack again, no doubt about it.
I dressed, choosing a colorful pair of chiffon shorts that I paired with a white t-shirt, then pulled my hair into a ponytail. Add a sprinkle of makeup and a dash of vetiver and I was good to go. While I caffeinated, I scrolled through properties on Main Street and studied my vision board, then threw my sage and the baking ingredients into a bag and headed to Jack’s.
He opened the door seconds after I rang the bell and flashed me a brilliant smile. “You are such a welcome sight.”
His eyes glimmered with truth and my heart fluttered with desire. Since when did straightlaced do it for me? My last boyfriend? He was a hipster extraordinaire who lived in a giant redwood for two years to save it from loggers. And before him was Jeremy…
I shook that thought out of my head and refocused on Jack in his white button down and dark blue tie, his carefully gelled curls setting off his bright eyes and smile. Damn, he looked good.
“I’m diggin’ the accessory.” I gave the tie a tug, then laid it straight across his torso, which, unfortunately, took my eyes right down to his crotch and reminded me of the not-always-appropriate thoughts I had last night.
And was continuing to have that very moment.
While standing directly in front of the man.
As I jerked my focus back to his face, he lifted an eyebrow, then invited me in. “We managed not to burn breakfast today, so score one for you.”
The kids waved at me from a table in the kitchen and I lifted a hand. “Sounds more like score one for you. Burning breakfast sounds awful.”
“You have no idea.” Jack took a breath, paused with his mouth open and a question on his face, then closed his eyes and continued, “Any chance you guys would want to meet me for lunch? There’s a pizza place my kids like not too far from where I work. We could meet at the office and walk over.”
“My goodness, Mr. Cooper.” I placed a hand on my heart and pretended to be shocked. “Whatever would Greta say if she saw us out together again?”
Jack almost seemed to surprise himself with the ease of his laughter. “Don’t you worry about that. I’m sure we’ll find out sooner rather than later. That woman never keeps her thoughts to herself.”
“Maybe we can give her a little something extra to fuel that gossip fire.” I leaned in to whisper, “Really scandalize the old girl.”
“I like the way you think.”
“Yeah, well, right back atcha.” There was a moment of hot and heavy eye contact, a dash of ‘just kiss him already,’ followed by a sprinkle of ‘not in front of the kids.’
“I should get going.” Jack glanced around, patting his pockets. “Just need my keys.”