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Sophie’s eyes went wide as she watched me, her mouth open just a bit, her hand up in her hair. Even as disheveled as she looked, I only wanted more of her.
Jamey appeared in the doorway, his eyes half closed and sleepy, his teddy bear clutched in one hand. Too close. We were way too close to getting caught. “Hi, Daddy.”
I took a deep breath to steady myself as I looked at my son, half asleep from his nap, and made myself switch into dad mode. “Hey, bud,” I smiled, pushing my hair back from where it had fallen in my face. “Sophie and I are just having a private chat. Why don’t you go watch something while we finish up, okay?”
He nodded as he rubbed his eyes. “Okay. I’m hungry.”
“I’ll make you something to eat in a few.”
“Okie dokie.”
I watched as he walked away, my ears trained on the sound of his steps until I could hear the television turning on. I took a step toward Sophie as I let out a sigh of relief, but her hands went up, a silent request to keep my distance.
“I don’t feel comfortable continuing that while he’s awake,” she whispered.
“Neither do I. Don’t worry,” I chuckled, plopping down into the leather chair. Even sitting down I was taller than her. “I just need a minute to uh, calm down.”
Sophie nodded, the blush on her cheeks not going away. “Actually, I do need to talk to you about something. My parents invited us over Friday night.” In her lap, she wrapped her fingers around the base of her wrist, wringing the skin there. “Can you make it?”
Friday night. I’d have to bring Jamey. The idea of it was appealing, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it would confuse him. Surely, he was too young to really understand, and if we kept him occupied with games or a show, he wouldn’t pay too much attention.
“Sure,” I nodded. “I’ll have to bring Jamey, though. My parents are still out of town and I don’t have a babysitter on call anymore.”
Her brows furrowed as she looked at me. “Okay. That, uh, that should be fine.”
“You know Jamey is part of the package with me. I can’t just pretend he doesn’t exist.”
“I know. I’d never ask you to do that. It’s fine. It’ll be fine.” She gave me a half-hearted smile as she hopped down from the desk. “I think it’s best I go home now. I’ll, um, wash your clothes and bring them back tomorrow.”
I almost wanted to ask her to stay, to have dinner with us again, to stick around until Jamey fell back asleep and I could have my way with her. Almost. I didn’t, though, and as I watched her leave in my sweatpants and hoodie, her makeup smudged and bun askew, I wished I had.
Chapter 14
Sophie
Wednesday
Jamey’s tiny hands clutched his ice cream cone, the green mint chocolate chip leaking out of the bottom and coating his hands and arms. He grinned up at me as I snapped a photo, quickly texting it to Hudson before sliding my phone back into my pocket.
“Sophie?”
I turned, one hand on Jamey’s shoulder, and blinked in confusion as Lisa walked up to us. “Hey,” I smiled, my arm nearly twisting as Jamey tucked himself behind my legs. “What are you doing here?”
“Just got a trim,” she chirped. Her thumb jutted out behind her, toward the hair salon next door to the ice cream shop. “I think they went too short though.”
“It looks great.” I looked down at Jamey, his mouth hovering over the minty ice cream, his big green eyes staring up at me. “Jamey, this is my friend, Lisa. Lisa, this is Jamey, Hudson’s son.”
Lisa grinned at him as she squatted down in front of him, placing herself at his height. “Hi, Jamey. Aren’t you adorable.” She glanced up at me, her smile a little forced. Lisa had never been great with kids, and she didn’t want any of her own, so it made sense. I’d never judged her for it.
“He’s a little shy,” I explained, taking a step to the side so Jamey couldn’t hide behind me any longer.
“What kind of ice cream is that?”
“Mint chocolate chip,” he mumbled, holding it out a little toward her. “You can try it if you want.”
Lisa’s lower lip poked out, her eyes going soft. “That is so sweet, Jamey, but I don't like ice cream. Thank you, though.”
Jamey glanced at me in confusion before returning to licking at his ice cream. I laughed awkwardly, holding out a hand to Lisa to help her stand back up, and she gladly took it.
