AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There’s a pause. “Just weird.”
Des grunts.
I cut up some veggies and find some ranch dressing for dipping, arranging it all on a platter for the three of us.
Bailey says, “Do you like my mom? Like,likelike her?” and I pause what I’m doing to listen to the answer.
“Yes,” Desmond replies.
My heart does a weird jumpy thing, and my face goes hot. I have to rearrange the carrot sticks for a few seconds to pull myself together.
“Oh.”
“Is that okay?”
“Um… Yeah. I think she likes you too. And I think you’re cool. Except for being a Lakers fan.”
“Thanks, kiddo.” I can hear the smile in Desmond’s voice. “I think you’re cool too.”
“Are you going to marry her?”
I freeze.
There’s a pause, and I hear fabric rustling, like Desmond is shifting in his seat. He says, “I don’t know, Bailey. That’s something your mom and I would have to talk about.”
“Oh.”
I frown, staring at the little ramekin of ranch dressing. Something we’d have to talk about? What? Does that mean Des wants to marry me? Was he just giving Bailey a bland answer? Why is my heart thumping? Why do I feel partially giddy but also like I want to throw up?
Oh my God.Do I want to marry Desmond?
“But you were kissing her. And people kiss before they get married.”
“Right,” Des says, and I know I need to go out there and save him. The living room/kitchen is L-shaped now, so I don’t have a direct view of them even though I’m technically in the same space. I put the ranch on the platter, letting the dishes clink against each other loudly to remind them both that I’m right here.
Bailey, oblivious, says, “If you married my mom, you’d be my stepdad.”
“Look, Bailey, your mom and I are just friends right now.” He clears his throat. “Marriage is a big deal.”
I deflate like an old balloon. Holy crap. Idowant to marry him. What iswrongwith me? That’s a really good way of getting your heart broken all over again.
“Right,” Bailey says, sounding dejected. I grab the platter and freeze when she says, “I would be okay with you being my stepdad, you know.”
Des’s voice is gruff when he says, “Thanks, Bailey. I… I’d be happy to be your stepdad too.”
When I finally step around the corner and into view, Des looks like he just survived a Category Five hurricane, and Bailey’s swinging her legs off the edge of the sofa like she doesn’t have a care in the world.
I roll my lips inward, trying not to laugh, then put the veggies down on the coffee table and take a seat next to Des.
Then the basketball game starts, and the inquisition is over.
After dinner,when Bailey is in bed, I sit on the sofa with my feet tucked under Des’s thighs while we both sip the last of a bottle of wine we had with dinner. I glance down the hallway to make sure Bailey isn’t lurking, then I say, “I heard what Bailey was saying earlier.”
Des sips his wine and sets it down on the coffee table, grinning. “I never knew being questioned by a nine-year-old girl would be the most stressful experience of my life.”
“You did well.” I laugh, wiggling my toes against his leg.
His eyes meet mine, solemn as he says, “I was serious, you know. I’d be happy to be a part of her life—and yours.”
