Jameson stepped back as Amelia barreled toward them. “I thought you were here! What happened to your date with Matt?”
“It got cut short, sweetie,” Daisy said, finding her breath. “He had to head out.”
“Then who’s supposed to take us home?”
“Me,” Jameson offered immediately. “But not until I kick your mum’s butt in Monopoly.”
She’d stayed quiet through the rest of game night, her thoughts looping. She’d been dumped, which completely sucked. And also, Jameson almost kissed her. She was sure of it. Then Ameliahad arrived like a lifebuoy and he’d gone right back to laughing on the couch, as if nothing had happened.
“Can we watch a movie?” Amelia chirped the second they crossed the threshold to their apartment.
“It’s a school night.”
“Please? I promise to be good for the rest of my life.”
They both laughed.
“You should be good regardless,” Daisy said. “And anyway, Jameson probably doesn’t want to stay that late.”
“So… just spend the night,” Amelia offered, casual as breathing.
Jameson went still. Daisy surprised herself with: “You can.”
His head snapped to her.
“Stay,” she repeated, steadier this time. “If you want.”
He smiled, slow and bright. “Guess we’re having a sleepover.”
“Yay!” Amelia wrapped his waist in a hug.
“Only if you get ready for bed. Now,” Daisy said.
“On it!” Amelia sprinted down the hall.
“I’m going to wash up, too,” Daisy told Jameson. “You can use my bathroom after.”
He nodded.
In the bathroom mirror, she considered keeping the makeup. She looked… nice. Youngish. But she wasn’t eighteen anymore. There were soft lines at her eyes now and a worry crease between her brows.Gifts of motherhood, she thought.Proof of a life lived.
She turned on the water and wiped it all away.
So what if he was used to women who treated Botox like oil changes or had perfectly sculpted physiques? Her body had carried his daughter into the world. By her standards, that was perfection.
After finishing in the bathroom, Daisy slipped on a black tank top and loose yoga pants. When she stepped back into theliving room, Amelia’s head was already tipped onto Jameson’s shoulder, eyes heavy.
“Are you sure you’re going to make it, sweet stuff?”
“Yes.” She yawned. “Ferris Bueller?”
“Again?” Daisy asked, glancing at Jameson just as his gaze trailed, unabashed, from her bare shoulders down and back up. He smirked when their eyes met.
“Ferris it is,” Daisy said, starting the movie, knowing they wouldn’t make it to the parade.
Thirty minutes later, a soft snore bubbled from Amelia’s lips. They both stilled, then smiled, then simply watched her. The girl who would always connect them. Conceived in a love neither of them had found since.
“Will she wake if I carry her to bed?” he whispered.
