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“How about this? You look great in red.”
“The sweater’s too short to wear with those jeans.”
“Why’s that?”
I roll my eyes as if he really needs to ask. “It won’t cover my butt.”
“Why do you think I chose it?”
“I’m serious, Mick.”
“So am I. I’ve seen you break out of your comfort zone before.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
When I can’t come up with a good reason, he pushes on. “It seems to me you bought these clothes for a reason. But…” He gives me a brief peck. “I’ll leave it to you. You’ll look beautiful in whatever you choose.”
Oh, he’s good, using that reverse psychology on me. He basically issued a challenge then walked away as if it didn’t matter to him one way or the other. But I know he’ll be disappointed if I go with my usual long tops, and more than that, I’ll be disappointed in myself.
Mick gawks when I walk out. “Daaammmnnn, baby. Can we cancel brunch?”
“No.” I shove him back when he approaches. “Serves you right for picking this.”
“I’ll take blue balls any day to see you owning your sexy body. You have no reason to cover it up, Dee. None.”
The doorbell rings. As he goes to answer it, I hear him humming a line from an Ed Sheeran song, “I’m in love with the shape of you.”
My heart turns to goo. “Mick?”
“Yeah?” He turns around.
“Thank you.” I smile. “You always make me feel like a million bucks.”
“A mil doesn’t even come close to your worth.” He sends me an air kiss and opens the door.
It’s Jordyn and Lexie. They’ve been my family for nearly two years and including them felt right. They take one look at my outfit and shriek with excited praise. Mick’s wink carries anI told you so.
He recognizes that inner conflict in me, the tug-of-war I battle between covering up and stripping off those layers. Not just in terms of the clothes but the negative tapes in my head. He encourages me to accept myself. To accept the beauty that he sees in me.
I get my friends coffee. Lexie has only met Mick twice, the first was not a pleasant encounter and the second was at her birthday party. A bit like me, she’s initially reserved until she gets to know someone. But with Mick’s easy-going manner, it doesn’t take long for them to hit it off.
Meanwhile, Jordyn and Mick are already besties. After one interview, he’d hired her on the spot to design the new facility for Papa’s Kids. I’m not surprised that they get along so well. Both are charismatic, outgoing, direct, and confident. They make me laugh, and their best quality is that they give with all their hearts.
James and Maria arrive soon after with the kids and Mama T. My foster mom greets my friends with hugs and kisses. She immediately loves them for loving me.
Dani and Justin are restless from the long drive. Mick and James take them out back for a game of tag, while I catch up with Mama T and Maria, and they get to know Lexie and Jord. When Mason starts to fuss, I offer to take him from Maria.
“He’s teething,” she explains.
Poor little guy. I put ice cubes inside a soft towel and rub it gently against his gums. “Better?” I coo, cuddling him to me, kissing his head and breathing in his powdery baby scent.
Mick re-enters the house, cheeks flushed from exertion. He stops. His face fills with awe. It’s the way he looked at me last Sunday when I rocked Mason in my arms. As if he had fallen in love with me all over again.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. And I truly am.
