Once Noah left, the rest of them laid out the remaining tablecloths.
“So, I have a question,” Ava said as she began arranging place settings like the sample table. “Ethan, did you teach Emma to say you’re a badass?”
Ethan laughed. “Of course not. She came up with that all on her own.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “You’re right. A six-year-old said her uncle is a badassall on her owndespite her father rarely swearing.”
“Did she pair it with a fist pump?” Ethan asked, ignoring Jackson.
Kelly laughed. “Yep.”
Ethan made a fist and pulled it back toward himself with a “yes.” Once all the tables and chairs were in place, the guys left to go back to work, leaving Ava and Kelly alone. Ava hung around for another hour as they did the last of the finishing touches.
They stood back and looked around. It was beautifully arranged, and Kelly knew it would be even more beautiful once the rest of the vendors arrived tomorrow morning to drop off their parts. Once flowers were added to the centerpieces and in vases around the room, it would be perfect.
“I’m proud of you,” Ava said.
Kelly smiled. “I’m proud of myself too. Thank you for volunteering me for this. I’m not sure I would have taken the leap if you hadn’t pushed.”
“That’s what friends are for. Ready to head back to the house?”
Kelly shook her head. “I’m going to hang out here and go over the notes to make sure I didn’t miss anything. You go on ahead.”
After Ava left, Kelly looked around the room one more time. Her eyes landed on the glitter letters she had hung the day before with Emma. It seemed crooked. She frowned and grabbed the stepladder, taking it over to the wall and stepping up. She moved the pieces that seemed crooked and leaned back slightly to get a bigger picture without getting off the ladder.
“It looks perfect,” Miles said.
Kelly startled and lost her footing, falling backwards. His arms wrapped around her and held her tightly to his chest. Her heart thundered.
“You scared me,” she breathed.
His lips moved against her ear. “I’m sorry.”
Miles didn’t let go, and she didn’t complain. The feel of his arms around her felt amazing. She turned slightly, and they were mere inches from each other. His eyes dropped to her lips, and without a second thought, their lips were moving together. Kelly turned in his arms for better access.
Miles dipped his tongue between her lips, deepening the kiss. His hand threaded through her hair and gripped it, pulling her head back slightly to give him better access. She moaned, and his prominent erection pressed against her belly.
“Daddy?” Emma’s voice broke through the haze, and the two of them jumped apart quickly.
Miles gave Kelly a guilty look before plastering a smile on his face and turning toward Emma. “Hey, peanut.”
Kelly wasn’t sure what Emma saw, but she studied the small girl’s face for any indication.
“I’m hungry. Can you make me lunch?” Emma asked.
Miles cleared his throat. “Sure can.” Then he turned to Kelly. “Care to join us?”
Kelly smiled timidly. “I’d love to.”
