She holds a hand over her growing grin as she peers over the baby carrier. Milo sets it on the couch and gives an embarrassed smirk.
“Wow, it is lifelike,” Mr. Nelson remarks.
“In your day, they gave you a sack of flour to look after,” Grandpa Nelson says. “Now the kids have to deal with something that cries.”
Grandma Nelson curls an arm around Milo’s arm. “Does it eat and go potty too?”
Milo nods. “Yes, but it’s simulated. There’s no actual food or mess.”
“He does fart and burp though,” I add. “He can be a stinky little baby.”
The parents and grandparents all laugh, delighted at the thought of the fake baby emitting nasty gasses.
As everyone takes a seat amongst the couches and armchairs, I ask, “So, how was Kai’s game?”
“It was rough,” Mrs. Nelson says through a tight expression. “They lost three to one. Kai took it pretty hard.”
I look over my shoulder at the stairs. “I should go talk to him.”
“Give him some time to shower and cool off,” Mr. Nelson suggests. “He was pretty agitated during the drive home.”
“Are you hungry, Jamie?” Mrs. Nelson asks. “There are sandwiches on the kitchen counter. Go help yourself.”
My gut spasms as I walk into the kitchen. Now it’s not only hunger plaguing me. Guilt eats away at me because I didn’t ask Kai how he was when he walked upstairs. I was having so much fun with Milo. Kai’s game wasn’t a priority.
Milo.
A new feeling washes through me. Milo had me laughing so hard. I relive the moment his hand slid over mine. I swear, he looked at me as if he were going to kiss me. At least that’s how characters in movies act before a first kiss.
I walk back toward the living room with a half-eaten sandwich, and my eyes drift to Milo. He’s busy talking with his grandpa.
Did he want to kiss me? Did he feel the same surge of energy I felt?
And why did I feel that way? Why do I keep fantasizing about him?
I don’t want to kiss Milo. Do I?
“Have you settled into your room, Jamie?” Mrs. Nelson asks. “Milo said he’d have it ready for you when we left this morning.”
“Ah no, actually,” I reply, swallowing a bite. “I haven’t gotten that far yet.”
Grandma Nelson pats my back. “Sorry we took your usual room, dear.”
I giggle. “That’s okay. You got to it first.”
Gandalf fusses in his carrier, and ten seconds later, lets out a shrill cry.
“Good lord,” Grandpa Nelson blurts. “That thing’s got some lungs on him.”
I finish my sandwich and move toward Gandalf. “It means it’s bottle time.”
Milo lifts the carrier before I get to it. “His bag is still upstairs.”
“Milo, make sure you get Jamie comfortable in your bedroom while you’re upstairs,” Mrs. Nelson says. “I don’t want her feeling awkward during her stay.”
“Yes, Mom,” Milo mutters. “I already took her bags up. It’s fine.”
I smile and nod. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. See you all later. Hopefully, he’ll sleep after this.”
