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Roland
Roland
As we sit in the first-class lounge at JFK airport, I watch Carmen and Damien, their heads bent over his iPad. It's almost surreal, the way they're huddled together, engrossed in some animated pig game. Maddie and I are sipping champagne, and it really feels like a dream, like I have stepped into an alternate universe where I have a family and am no longer a single dad.
"Peppa Pig," Maddie tells me, raising her glass for a toast. "It's a favorite among the little ones."
"Cheers to Peppa then." We clink our glasses, and I take a sip of wine. The bubbles tickle my nose as I watch the pair. Damien's blonde hair contrasts sharply with Carmen's dark curls, but their laughter is infectious, uniting them.
"Your brother seems to be quite the expert on entertaining kids," I comment, impressed by how easily he's taken to my daughter.
Maddie smiles, pride evident in her eyes. "He's always been great with children. He'll make an excellent uncle someday if I get around to having kids, though, honestly, I think that's many years away."
I wonder if she'd consider being a mother to Carmen? I catch her gaze and my heart races as I hold it, feeling an undercurrent of tension between us. I force myself to look away, reminding myself that she's my daughter's nanny, not my lover, at least not until everything with Sofia has been finalized.
To break the tension, I say, "Well, he'll surely grow up to be a good father one day too."
"Maybe," she says softly, turning her attention back to Carmen and Damien. "But for now, he's just enjoying being a kid himself."
"Speaking of being a kid, have you ever flown first class before?" I ask, hoping to steer the conversation into safer territory.
"Never," she admits, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is all so new to me."
"Get ready to be spoiled," I warn her playfully. "First class can be quite an experience. Then honestly, when I traveled the most, it became second nature. The most important thing was to be able to rest on the flight or get work done. With all the sourcing in South America, we were flying back and forth like crazy in the early days. But I hope that for someone who wasn't forced to travel nonstop, it's a treat."
Her laugh is musical, and I feel the tension between us lessen, if only slightly. "I'm looking forward to it."
I am too, but perhaps for all the wrong reasons. Being close to her does things to my body...
As we continue sipping our champagne and watching the children play, I can't help but marvel at the way our lives have intertwined. It's a delicate balance, this dance between professional and personal. For now, it needs to stay professional, or friendly, but hell...
"Did you know my lawyer filed the paperwork for court today?" I ask Maddie, as we take a break from watching Carmen and Damien. "We're just waiting for a date to be set."
I don't know if I'm telling her this because I want her to know that the court date will happen and after that, we might have a shot at being more than just friends or because I don't want to keep bottling up my emotions. I've managed to stay focused on work and let my lawyer deal with stuff, but I'm still tense.
"Really?" She tilts her head, concern evident in her eyes. "How do you feel about that?"
"Strange," I admit, taking a sip of champagne. "You'd think Sofia would have wanted to spend some time with Carmen before jumping straight into filing for shared custody. The more I think about this, the stranger I feel."
"Maybe she's scared," Maddie suggests, her voice soft. "Or maybe she's trying to prove something."
"Maybe," I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation on my shoulders. "I just hope everything works out for the best. My lawyer hired a private eye, and it seems she is doing coke, but we're still waiting for concrete proof."
"Ahh," she says, placing a comforting hand on my arm.
The announcement to board interrupts our conversation, and we gather our belongings. As we make our way onto the plane, Carmen and Damien's eyes widen in awe. Their excitement is contagious, and I smile at their reactions.
"Wow," Maddie breathes, taking in the first-class cabin. "This is incredible."
"Mmm, I think my traveling companion is incredible.” I reply, my gaze lingering on her face a moment longer than it should. “Let's just say I wouldn't mind getting used to this view."
"Roland..." she warns playfully, but there's a hint of desire in her eyes that sends a thrill down my spine.
I just grin at her. It feels good to allow myself a moment of flirtation. I'm usually not one to hold back.
We settle in and when we hear the roar of the engines and the plane starts to move, Carmen's little fingers grip the armrests, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I glance across the aisle at Maddie and Damien, both looking equally eager for this adventure to begin.
"Hey, kiddo," Maddie calls softly to Carmen, leaning closer. "It's going to be a bit noisy, but it's just like a roller coaster. You'll love it."
