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And now I sound like my father. He’s due at the house at any minute, and I’m not looking forward to seeing him. Maybe I should bawl my eyes out and see what he thinks of that.
The door slides open behind me, and I swallow hard, not wanting to talk to anyone right now. But it’s only Aroha, and she’s carrying Leia, who’s just woken up from a snooze.
“Hey, Daddy,” Aroha says.
“Don’t call me that,” I tell her. “I haven’t decided what I want her to call me yet.”
“Oh, sorry.”
It’s only partly the reason. She doesn’t realize how she sends a shiver down my back every time she says it.
“Hey, baby girl.” I say it to Leia, but I don’t miss Aroha’s glance, as if I’m speaking to her. Does it give her the same shiver?
I take Leia from her and hold her upright against my shoulder. She looks at me with her big eyes and gives me a lovely smile. “Don’t you look beautiful today.” Aroha has dressed her in a gorgeous red frock with hearts all over it, and a matching scarf around the baby’s head. She’s a splash of color amongst all the dark outfits in the room.
“Just like you,” Aroha says, and smiles.
I look down at myself. I’m wearing a black three-piece suit, white shirt, and black tie. “I look like a waiter.”
“More like James Bond. Smart and handsome,” she says. “You brush up well.”
I give a short laugh. “You could easily be a Bond girl.” She’s wearing a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, and she’s twisted her brown hair up in an elegant chignon. Her makeup is immaculate.
She turns her leg to show me her black stilettos. “I could definitely kill a guy with these heels.”
Wow. They’re super sexy. I love high heels on a girl.
“I think your father has just arrived,” she observes.
I glance through the living room and see him coming through the front door. My heart sinks. “Okay. I’d better go and greet them.”
“Just a minute.” She tips her head to the side. “Are you okay?”
I nod stiffly, distracted by my grief and the thought of seeing my father.
She studies me for a moment, then drops her gaze and straightens my tie, her fingers brushing my throat. It’s a gesture that suggests familiarity and affection, and it takes me by surprise.
“Getting into the role?” I joke.
She smooths my tie down, the light touch of her fingers enough to give me goose bumps.
“I wasn’t,” she whispers. “But everyone is watching. No, don’t look around.”
It’s an easy instruction to keep my gaze on hers. Her eyes are hazel with golden flecks.
As we continue to study each other, her lips curve up. My gaze drops to them. They look soft and kissable.
I shouldn’t. I mustn’t.
Then I think about Maddie, who’ll never get to kiss anyone ever again. Fuck it. You only live once.
I move an inch closer, turning so Leia isn’t between us. We’re side-on to anyone watching in the living room.
Aroha’s eyes widen.
“Warning,” I murmur. “Incoming.”
She inhales, but to her credit she just says mischievously, “Tongues?”
