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"Hailey, hi. Uh, I was just inviting Molly over for dinner tonight," Jake said, his voice cracking nervously.
"Dad, relax, it's fine. I'm not five." Hailey rolled her eyes, but then she beamed at me. "So you'll come?"
No one could say no to that smile. "Can't pass up your dad's cooking."
"Great, I'll see you tonight. Can we go home? I want to get a head start on my homework before dinner."
"Yes," Jake said.
"Bye, Molly." Hailey smiled and then left.
"See you at dinner." Jake said as he gently tangled his fingers with mine and pressed a searing kiss to my lips. As he walked out the doors, the butterflies in my stomach seemed to wave goodbye to him.
I leaned against the wall and let out a sigh. My life was frighteningly idyllic. Things couldn't be more perfect, except the unresolved plumbing project at my house. But I couldn't even complain about that because I don't think Jake and I would be what we are now without me staying at Amy's. He fell for me the moment he saw my “Dancing Queen” routine.
I sat at my desk and wrapped up my lesson planning for the next day before heading over to Jake’s.
When I got there, I found Jake in the kitchen cooking. Hailey was sitting at the counter doing her homework.
"Hey," I said, leaning against the counter.
"Hey," Jake replied, kissing me softly.
"Do you need any help?"
"No, I've got it, thanks."
"Are you sure? I can set the table."
"It's already done. How about you keep Hailey company while she does her homework?"
"I would be happy to."
I pulled up a seat next to Hailey, and she looked up from her work and smiled at me.
"So, do you have a dress picked out for the Spring Fling?" I asked.
"No not yet. Dad was going to take me this weekend," she said, sounding a little disappointed.
"Do you want to go with you? I need to find a dress too. Maybe we can get yours and mine at the same time."
Her expression brightened. "Really? That would be great."
"Ok, we'll go this weekend."
"Dad, did you hear that? Molly and I are going dress shopping this weekend!"
"That's great." He looked genuinely delighted. "Alright, you two, dinner is ready."
Jake set the food on the table, and we sat down to eat. Dinner passed with easy conversation. Nothing felt forced it was all natural and comfortable. We talked about work, Hailey's current video game campaign, and a few other things that interested her. I couldn't have asked for a better evening.
As we cleared dinner plates, Hailey disappeared upstairs to finish her homework. I joined Jake settling onto the living room sofa. He seemed pensive, the ease that had fallen over him during dinner tightening back up.
I curled into his side, head nestled comfortably on his shoulder. This felt so weird, but so right. In my head there were two Jakes: the Jake I thought I knew, who I sparred with for years, and the real Jake, the quietly caring one.
"A penny for your thoughts?" I asked, my finger trailing circles on his taut chest.
"A penny? With inflation they're worth at least a quarter," he teased, voice warm.
