4. Chapter Three
Janie didnt know how she should feel about how she introduced Eleanor to Mac. It wasnt in her plans to do that yet. Or ever.
Janie was selective about who her daughter could meet. She didnt want her to meet anyone and get attached, only for them to leave and never be seen again. She could remember how it happened to her several times and it made her depressed. She would form these amazing bonds with people and then they would never show up again.
But at the same time Janie knew she needed to introduce Eleanor to Mac. They were neighbors and if anything happened, she needed to be comfortable around him.
It was a tough situation. As much as she wanted to protect her daughter, she also needed her to be comfortable around some people. What if she got sick and was put in the hospital? Her sister could only do so much since she had kids of her own. She couldnt be around all the time.
Mama! Eleanor yelled.
Janie opened her arms and her daughter ran into them. Wrapping her arms around her, she spun around and held her close. Janie absolutely loved having her daughter in her arms. Even when she was exhausted, she loved having the comfort.
Hi, Janie whispered as she looked at her daughter. Eleanor looked up at her with a great big smile.
Mama.
Janie sat down on the ground with Eleanor in her lap. She snuggled into her and she relished these moments. Who knew when Eleanor wouldnt want any more snuggles. Janie wasnt prepared for that day. She hoped it never came.
Eleanor, Janie said. She looked up at her. Mac is a good man.
Eleanor just looked at her.
Mac, Janie pointed towards his house. Good man. She hoped if she took anything out of it that she would know that she could trust Mac. Eleanor was so young, two years old, but she wanted her to know she could trust someone else besides herself and her sister.
Macie! She yelled.
Janie sighed. There was no getting Eleanor to not call him that. She had stuck with it. Janie felt bad for Mac, but he told her it was fine.
Part of her thought he was just saying that, but at the same time, yesterday she could see the sincerity in his eyes. He meant what he said.
Would he still mean it when Eleanor called him that in front of his friends or other people? Janie had no clue and part of her was nervous to find out.
She heard his car come down the road before she could see it. The engine was loud or maybe she was just in tune with him driving his car.
She couldnt lie and say she didnt watch him from her window every day coming home and getting out of his car.
That would be stalkerish.
But she did it. She knew what his car sounded like and waited for him to come home every day. She knew she shouldnt do that because she couldnt get involved with him. But she couldnt help herself.
His black sedan came down the road at a slow pace. It was like he knew they were going to be outside playing right now. Like he was being mindful of her daughter.
Was he? She couldnt remember how fast he normally came down the road.
Eleanor got off of her lap and ran around the yard, yelling and screaming as she leaped in the air. Janie was happy she was getting it out now. She would definitely be tired and sleep well tonight.
Or she hoped.
Janie watched her daughter but out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mac getting out of his car. Everything about him turned her on. The way he spoke to her, his body, the Daddy inside of him, his personality, protectiveness, just everything. There was nothing he could do that would turn her off. The way he interacted with her daughter yesterday, like she was the most important thing in the world melted her heart and turned her on.
Mama! Eleanor yelled as she ran towards her.
Janie opened her arms and braced herself for the impact of her running two year old.
Oomph, Janie made a noise as her back connected with the ground. Her daughter could knock her down easily when she ran. Was Janie getting weaker with every day? Should she start to workout so she could do things? Was this normal for a mother of a two-year-old?
Janie wished she could ask her mother, but she couldnt. She had died a year after she graduated high school and her dad soon followed. They never got to meet her ex-husband, probably for the best, but they didnt get the chance to meet their granddaughter.
Their precious granddaughter.
It hurt knowing everyday they wouldnt get to see her grow up. It hurt Janie knowing she couldnt go to her dad or mom about anything.
She was alone.
Well, besides her sister. But she lived thirty minutes away and had a family. Janie couldnt always bother her with things. While they were close, they both respected each other and their time.
How are my beautiful girls doing today? Mac asked as he walked closer.
Janie noticed him using his beautiful girls. When did they become his?
Are you okay, Janie? Mac asked. Took quite a fall there.
Fine, She gritted through her teeth. Maybe some pain had decided to show up on her back at that moment. She knew it would happen. This was a recurring thing with her daughter.
Macie! Eleanor squealed and climbed off of her.
Hi Ellie, Mac squatted down. Hows my beautiful princess doing?
Good!
Janie saw her daughter wrap her arms, or attempted to wrap her arms, around Macs neck. She pushed herself off of the ground, biting her lip as her back protested. Maybe she needed to start going to the gym. She didnt think this was normal.
Sorry about that, Janie said. Eleanor likes hugs and snuggles.
Mac wrapped his arms around Eleanor and picked her up. She can hug me any time she wants. I love all the hugs I can get.
Janies mouth fell open as she watched her daughter and Mac interact. Eleanor could be an extrovert but she didnt hug easily.
Why the shocked look? Mac asked. Didnt expect me to want hugs all the time?
Sure, she whispered. Her daughter was clinging onto him.
Mac opened his mouth, but before he could, Janie stepped forward and grabbed her daughter.
Well, it was nice seeing you. Ive got to go make dinner, Janie said.
Dinnie! Eleanor yelled.
I can make you guys dinner and bring it over, Mac suggested.
No need, Janie replied. Really. I dont want you to go through all the hassle for us. Weve got it.
I insist. I wouldnt offer it if I didnt want to do it. And its not a hassle, Mac said. Now, what would you like for dinner?
Nuggies! Eleanor yelled.
Janie closed her eyes. They had nuggies several times last week because Janie didnt have the energy to cook. It was both of their favorite meals, so it didnt bother either one of them.
Mac laughed. She takes after her mother.
Her mouth fell open. How did he know?
I can see the nuggies bag sticking out of your grocery bags every time you go and get some, Mac said. Ill make chicken nuggets and homemade mac and cheese.
You really dont have to do that, Janie said.
She didnt want him to go out of his way just to feed them. They had plenty of money to feed themselves. She just wasnt the best at cooking. Which left them eating chicken nuggies and other pre-made things all the time.
I insist on it. I really want to cook you guys dinner, Mac said. You can either come over to my house or Ill bring it over to you. You pick.
Janie looked at him, not backing down. He didnt need to cook them dinner. He shouldnt cook them dinner.
None of them, she replied. I pick none of them. You shouldnt be doing this.
Mac folded his arms across his chest. And whys that? Why shouldnt I be doing this?
Because I dont need your pity.
Who said anything about pity?
She gave him a look and held Eleanor closer to her. Im a single mom. I dont need pity. Sure, it can be hard but that doesnt mean I need to be a charity case, she said.
I never said you were a charity case and Ive never treated you like one, Mac said. Why do you think that?
Why are you wanting to do it for me then? she asked, not answering his question.
Maybe because I want to. Do I need any other reason than that? I want to make you dinner and spend time with both of you.
She stared at him and blinked several times. There had to be more to it than that.
Theres nothing more to it than that. I just want to make dinner and be around you two, Mac said. Is that so bad?
She shrugged her shoulders. He seemed genuine in what he was saying, but no one ever just wanted to hang around her and Eleanor.
It was unheard of.
They normally wanted to get into her pants or were taking pity on her. They wanted her to be their good deed for the day, so they didnt feel guilty.
How they didnt feel guilty about treating her like that was unknown to her. She wasnt hurting for money. Editing was bringing in good money. She had three steady clients who used her all the time.
So, do you want to come over to my house or me bring over the food? he asked.
She still didnt know how to answer that question. Janie had never been in his house and he had never been into hers. Sure, they were similar, but they were each others sanctuaries.
Okay, heres what were going to do. In forty minutes youre going to come over to my house, Mac said. If you dont come with your daughter, then Ill come over to your house.
Before she could say anything, he turned around and walked down her sidewalk.
Ill see you in forty minutes, he said and turned around, stopping at the end.
Janie clenched her thighs together at his demand. Oh that was so hot of him to take control like that.
Understand? he asked. I like verbal answers before you nod your head.
Yes, sir, she said before she could stop herself.
It brought her back to her being in the club the other night and him punishing her when she got in trouble. She wanted to call him Daddy so badly but it wasnt her place. He wasnt her Daddy and couldnt be.
This was a bad idea. She shouldnt be going over to his house for dinner with her daughter. She needed to stay away from him as much as possible.
I promise you that if you dont come, Ill come over to your place, Mac said. Just wanted to give you a warning in case you thought about abandoning me at the last minute.
She nodded her head and took a step back towards her house. She needed to get out of his sight and quickly. Who knows how red her face was.
Ill see you soon, princess Ellie, Mac said as he looked at her daughter. Ill see you very soon Pinky.
She stared at him as he walked over towards his house. Did he just call her pinky? What was that all about? Was that his nickname for her? Why?
She sighed and held her daughter against her. Mac was so confusing at times. Janie looked at her daughter as they walked into her house.
That was hot. He is hot, she whispered.