25. Noah
CHAPTER 25
NOAH
I didn’t plan to crash Maddie’s teatime—okay, that’s a lie; I absolutely made the reservation for three people—but I only did it on the off chance I had a little free time. And I really, really didn’t think I would. When I mentioned to Fisher that I wanted to join them, he worked his magic and got me out of training early. Sure, they made me hit every goal we had for the day before I left, but the brutal workout was worth it.
Especially when I enter the designated tearoom in the hotel and Maddie’s whole face lights up.
“Daddy!”
Sabrina, whose back is to me, spins around, biting down on her own smile.
“Hey, sweetie.” I take the seat beside her, which puts me directly across from Sabrina. “Did I miss anything?”
My girl’s nanny narrows her eyes, giving me a questioning look.
“No,” Maddie answers. “We’ve only been here a few minutes.”
“Is it okay that I’m here?” The question is for my daughter, but I watch for Sabrina’s reaction out of the corner of my eye.
She doesn’t know it yet, but I also made a reservation at an exclusive new restaurant in London. For tonight. But only for two. Ebba will be here in an hour and plans to take her out for a new dress and shoes and anything else she wants.
“Yes,” Maddie answers readily, pure happiness radiating from her.
For a kid who’s been through some rough shit, she’s almost always happy. I don’t think I can take credit for it either. It’s a trait she inherited solely from her mother.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” Sabrina says softly, drawing my attention across the table. She has her hair pulled back in four braids that separate into two small buns at the base of her head. It’s cute.
“I wasn’t sure I could make it, and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone if I couldn’t get away.” I wink at her.
Her cheeks darken a fraction like she’s embarrassed. It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that it’s likely because my daughter dared her to ask me on a date.
When Sabrina told me it was Maddie’s idea, the knot of anxiety in my gut instantly loosened.
I wouldn’t add tea service to my bucket list, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than with these two beautiful girls.
I peruse the tea options and eventually settle on one that seems the least offensive. I’m not really a fan of tea. I much prefer my daily cup of coffee, but for Maddie, I can stomach just about anything.
When the attendant gets to us and Maddie orders on her own, my chest fills with pride. It’s a small thing, but after all she’s been through, her confidence is so damn impressive.
“These are so cute,” she squeals over the dainty sandwiches a few minutes later.
Sabrina can’t hide her smile. I can’t either. How could I when my daughter is so clearly enjoying herself? Maybe I should have scheduled something like this for her before. Or maybe not. She’s probably at the proper age to really appreciate it now.
“Look.” She holds up the cucumber sandwich. “It’s so little. And no crust!”
“It’s very cute,” I agree as I take one for myself.
Across from us, Sabrina spreads clotted cream on a scone. I shouldn’t be watching her so intensely, but I can’t help it. When she takes a bite and licks at a drop of cream stuck to her lip, I have to gnash my teeth to keep myself from leaping across the table and kissing her.
The sensation that comes over me when I’m near her is one I’ve never experienced before. And fuck if it doesn’t leave me feeling guilty at times. I loved my wife with every fiber of my being and part of me will always love her. Nothing will dull the shine of our memories or diminish the life we built together. But Sabrina is… different. Different in a good way. In a way that doesn’t lessen what Annie means to me.
Though Annie lives in my heart, Sabrina is an all-consuming fire that I can’t help but be drawn to. Rather than burn me, she keeps me warm and awakens emotions that once were frozen.
I keep my gaze steady on her, and eventually, she looks up, as if she’s just as drawn to me. The shyness is still there, and fuck, do I like it. It serves as a reminder that she’s just as confused about all this as I am.
It’s terrifying, feeling things like this again. Losing Annie devastated me. I don’t want to ever feel like that again.
And yet no matter what I do, I can’t douse the flames that ignite inside me when I look at her. I can’t cut the tether that keeps me in her orbit.
“Look.” Maddie elbows me lightly, pulling my attention back to her. “I’m drinking tea like a princess.” She holds her pinky out proudly as she tips the cup back.
“That you are.” I pick up my cup and do the same. “Do I look like a princess too?”
Her responding giggle reverberates through the room. It’s soul-affirming and life-giving. I can’t help but grin at the sound. It ranks in my top ten favorite things of all time.
“No, silly,” she says around a fit of giggles. “You look like a dad.”
Chuckling, I sit back in my chair. “You’ve got me there, kid.”
She turns to Sabrina, her shoulders set primly. She’s definitely playing into this whole princess thing. “Do you like your tea?”
“Um.” Sabrina presses her lips together, her eyes darting to the side before focusing on my daughter again. “Yes. It’s fantastic.”
Maddie tilts her head to the side, studying her nanny across the table. “Really? Have you even tried it? Your cup is still full.”
Sabrina frowns and I cup a hand over my face to hide a grin. She walked right into a Maddie made trap. I feel a kick to my shin and have to hide a wince. Those fucking boots she wears hurt.
“I… well.” She picks it up and gives the liquid a delicate sip, then immediately gags. “No. Nope. No, I can’t do it. I’m sorry. I love you, Maddie, and I want you to have a good time. I know this was my idea. I thought it would be a fun experience. But I’m American and my blood is mostly coffee. I can’t do tea.”
Maddie shrugs. “Yeah, this stuff is pretty gross.” She takes another sip and sets her cup down gently. “But man, do I feel fancy.”
In unison, Sabrina and I burst into laughter, earning more than one dirty look from the well-dressed people around us.
When we leave the tearoom, we find Ebba waiting for us in the hotel lobby.
“Oh, hey,” Sabrina says. “What are you up to?”
With a grin, her friend grabs her hand. “You and I are going on a little adventure before your date.”
“Date?” Sabrina draws the word out, her eyes darting to me. “Wha?—”
“We have a dinner reservation at seven. I thought you might enjoy some pampering beforehand.”
With a gasp, Maddie clutches my hand and bounces on the balls of her feet. “You’re really going on a date?”
I chuckle and settle a hand on her shoulder to still her jerky movements. “Yes, Mads. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Yes,” she squeals at a decibel that doesn’t seem human.
“Ebba,” I say, my tone firm. “Make sure she gets whatever she likes, no matter the cost.”
With a mock salute, she loops her arm through Sabrina’s. “You’ve got it, boss. We’ll see you later.” And then they’re off, headed toward the front of the hotel.
Halfway across the lobby, Sabrina looks back, her mouth hanging open. I wiggle my fingers in a wave.
“Do you have to go back to the court?” Maddie asks, her demeanor suddenly sullen.
“No, sweetie.” I pull her in for a hug. “I’m all yours until it’s time to leave for my date with Sabrina.” Stepping back, I crouch so we’re eye to eye. “You’re still okay with this, right?”
Despite my feelings for the woman who just left, if Maddie isn’t comfortable, then I’ll slam on the brakes and call it off now. My little girl has gone through more life changes in the past two years than any kid should have to. I want her to be happy and I want to give her the most stable life my career will allow.
“Yes.” She rolls her eyes like she thinks my question is absurd. “I love Sabrina and I love you. Why wouldn’t I be okay? It was my dare that made this happen.”
A smile slowly crooks my lips. “Yeah, sweetie. It was the dare.”