I furrow my brows. “Okay, thanks, Jamie.”
“Anything for you, sir.”
The call is brief, but as I end it, there’s a lightness in my chest that wasn’t there before. My phone settles on the coffee table with a soft thud, almost a sigh of relief. Work has its claws in me, sure, but the thought of the late afternoon stretching out in front of me, bland with meetings I’m only half-invested in, loses its grip against the image of Catherine and Alice upstairs.
I find myself on my feet, almost without thinking, drawn by a force that’s been quietly growing. It’s not just paternal affection for Alice; it’s something else—an ember that sparked the moment I saw Catherine genuinely caring for my daughter. Her laughter, bright and carefree, has somehow begun to fill the corners of this house that I hadn’t realized were echoing in their emptiness.
As I reach Alice’s room, the scene before me only fans that ember into a warmer glow. There’s Catherine, her smile gentle and easy as she tends to Alice, who is peeking from behind the bathroom door.
“Daddy, you haven’t left for work?” Alice’s voice is a mix of surprise and delight that tugs a grin out of me.
Catherine turns, and our eyes lock. I find myself caught in the softness of her gaze.
I tear my eyes away, focusing on my daughter. “Alice, why don’t you go pick out your favorite dress for dinner while I talk with Catherine?”
“Sure, Daddy.” Alice clutches her towel like a cape and dances her way out of the bathroom, leaving a trail of laughter in her wake.
Catherine and I exchange a look, an amused, shared understanding passing between us as we both listen to Alice’s joyful hum from the other room.
“Are you hungry?” I ask an innocent question on the surface. But it’s more than just a casual question. It’s not really about food; it’s about wanting to spend more time in this comfortable scene with Catherine, to enjoy her company a bit longer, and to figure out why she suddenly feels like a calming presence in my otherwise busy life.
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “I am,” she answers. “Are you ordering takeout or something?”
I shake my head. “I canceled my meeting. Let’s go out to eat. The three of us.”
Catherine’s eyes widen at this before a radiant smile light up her face. “That sounds great,” she says, the joy evident in her voice. “I’ll go get freshened up then.”
“Go ahead,” I tell her. “I’ll make sure Alice gets ready.”
I watch in wonderment as Catherine retreats to the bedroom, her gait graceful and light.
On the drive home from dinner, I catch Alice yawning from the backseat.
“We should get her to bed as soon as we get back,” I say to Catherine, my voice low. “She’s exhausted.”
Catherine nods in agreement, a hint of maternal affection clear on her face. “I’ll get her settled into bed.”
When we get home, Catherine helps Alice out of the backseat. I unlock the front door and open it so Catherine can easily head straight up the stairs.
Once inside, I make my way to the living room and collapse on the couch for a moment, closing my eyes and releasing a deep sigh of contentment. The evening replays in my mind, the warmth of the dinner conversation with Catherine, the sound of our combined laughter, and the relaxed ambiance that surrounded us. Catherine has effortlessly weaved herself into our lives, and I find myself unprepared to let go of the feeling just yet tonight.
A few minutes pass before Catherine reappears at the top of the stairs, her expression peaceful as she gazes down at me.
“Alice is sound asleep,” she says softly. “She was really wiped out.”
I smile and nod. “Thanks for everything.”
She situates herself on the other end of the couch, facing me. “May I pick your brain before bed?”
I huff, amused by her curiosity. I beckon for her to ask away.
“I’ve been reading a lot about relationships since I broke up with Jason,” she starts. Her cheeks flush pink as she continues. “I’m having trouble understanding some concepts around sex… could you explain them to me?”
My eyes widen, surprised she would be so direct. I clear my throat. “What do you want to know?”
She takes a moment to contemplate. “Well, I’m curious about oral sex,” she finally says. Her voice is hesitant, but her eyes sparkle with interest.
“What about it?” I ask, my heart racing.
