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Chapter 12
The moment we glance up, we chuckle at my girl’s expression. She is standing a few meters from us with her head tilted and what seems an attempt to raise one of her brows, wearing Nick’s shirt, her little feet barely visible as she shifts from one foot to another. She is so adorable.
"This is yours," she says with lit-up eyes.
Nick walks over to her and squats in front of her. "I have to say it looks better on you than on me, Smarty."
"So, I can keep it?"
"Sure, if you like it, keep it."
She takes the last steps to overcome the distance between them and hugs him. "Thank you, Giant. I found it in Mommy's bedroom. She told me you took it off there because of the chocolate stains."
Nick brushes a hand through his hair, and I chuckle. He's nervous. It's funny witnessing this powerful man getting nervous.
"Yes. It was the night we tried to bake a chocolate cake, remember?”
His eyes meet mine and when he sees my teasing grin, something changes. He stands up straight, and his eyes bore into mine.
"Oh, you mean the night I tasted your incredible filling."
My eyes enlarge as memories flood my brain.
"Why was Giant eating your neck, Mommy?"
Satisfaction spreads on his face when he catches my uneasiness. "You and the color red are a brilliant match, Em," he whispers before turning to Charlotte. "I was not eating your mom's neck, Smarty. I only kissed her."
"But don't grownups kiss each other on the lips? I've seen it on TV once. It looks yucky," she says, while wrinkling her nose and narrowing her eyes.
Nick throws his head backward, and a full-chested laugh leaves his chest. It warms me like sunshine as it rumbles through the kitchen. Charlotte giggles at his reaction and twirls as if she's wearing a ball gown. She stops dancing and grabs his hand. "Do you want to read me a story?"
"Sure, I'd love to."
Charlotte grabs his hand and leads him out of the kitchen towards her bedroom.
"I will make drinks for when you two return."
Nick sends me a smoldering grin before disappearing into the hallway. After being busy tidying up the kitchen, I grab Clair Billings's business card—this is an exceptional opportunity. I'm excited about making cakes for a small restaurant like hers. I scribble down a few ideas of sweets I want her to try. When I finish my list, I check out the time. Thirty minutes have passed, and they haven't returned yet. I walk out of the kitchen into the hallway and listen to catch their voices, but my footsteps echoing through the walls are all I perceive. When I arrive at Charlotte's room, I knock on the door as I always do, but when there's no response, I pull down the door handle and peek into the room.
My eyes tear up at the sight that's heart-melting and will be one of my favorite memories. Nick's sitting on the bed, his back against the wall, and an open book resting in his lap. His head hangs to the left side, and Charlotte is lying curled up next to him with her head on his chest—they're asleep.
I grab the camera out of my back pocket and take a picture, but the camera's flash causes Nick to open his eyes. The corners of his mouth lift as his gaze falls on my daughter snuggled up against him. He places a soft kiss on the top of her head, and my hitching breath catches his attention.
"Sorry, we fell asleep. Can I pick her up without waking her?"
I nod. "She's a fast sleeper."
He places Charlotte's hand on her belly, rises, and lifts her. When her head lies on the pillow, he grabs her covers and tucks her in as a father would do his child.
I hold out my hand, and without asking, he approaches me, and intertwines his fingers with mine, as we walk out of Charlotte's bedroom. In the hallway, his brow lifts when I make my way to my bedroom instead of the kitchen. Once inside, I close the door and move us over to the bedside.
"Please sit. I need to tell you something," I say while pointing to my pink rose bedcover.
Nick takes a seat but taps on his lap. "Come sit here."
I place myself in a straddled position on top of him, and when I put my palms on his chest, he places his hands loosely on my hips.
"What's up, Angel?"
