Chapter 11 #2
I gave her a small smile, then returned to grab some tea for myself. Within a second, I felt a hand on my hip as Noah came up behind me. “Sorry, babe, I’m grabbing stuff for Jake and me.”
“Babe?” I whispered.
He was silent for a moment, which almost made me regret my comment. But then he squeezed my hip before grabbing two glasses as he replied, still in a low voice just for me. “Sorry, I think that’s the second time I’ve called you that.”
“Third, not that I’m complaining, just…”
“Confused?” He came around and leaned against the counter, looking my way.
I glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jake and Ivy had retreated to the nook and were talking to Addie and O’Malley, likely giving us a bit of privacy.
“A bit,” I replied, slicing pieces of bread for the rest of us.
“I don’t blame you.” He hesitated. Was he regretting our kiss?
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out.
His eyes drew together with concern. “Why?”
“You said you weren’t ready…”
Noah shook his head. “Jules, I kissed you. And I don’t regret it.”
Whoosh, relief flooded my body. “You don’t?”
He smiled at me. “I’m not sure what this is, and we need to talk a whole lot more, but please don’t think that regret is anything I’m feeling whatsoever.”
“Hey, kids, not sure what all you’re whispering about, but I could use some caffeine sometime this century,” Jake called over as Ivy smacked him, all while still patting the baby and swaying back and forth. Impressive multitasking.
Suddenly a wail worthy of an NFL linebacker came from the sling on Ivy’s chest. Wowza, I had no idea babies could be so loud when they were so small.
“Uh-oh,” Ivy muttered, which had Jake coming quickly to attention.
“What,” Jake noted, his body tense.
Ivy glanced his way and gave him a look that could only be described as full of love. “Sorry, sweetheart, you’ve got to relax. There will be lots of uh-ohs as this little one grows.”
“Ivy,” he growled over the continued wails as Ivy swayed around the room, “you can give me sh—” He looked in Addie’s direction. “…sheet for being overprotective later. What’s the uh-oh about?”
“I think Lorelai has an ear infection, that’s all.” Ivy looked my way and shook her head, rolling her eyes in a clear commentary on Jake’s caveman reactions. While I got where she was coming from, I also thought it was sweet.
“How do you know?” Jake had now stopped her, surrounding her with his arms as he peered into the sling.
“She’s tugging on her ears,” Ivy pointed out. “She had a slight temp earlier, but I thought it was no biggie and she was teething.” She shrugged as she gave him a tolerant smile and kissed the underside of his jaw. “Babies get sick, Jake. It will be okay.”
She looked back to me. “So sorry to cut our visit short, Jules. I absolutely want to get to know you better and have a moment to question that guy over there.” She nodded toward Noah, who was standing against my island, somewhat frozen.
Another mental note to add to my list—what was up with him right now?
Did he not like seeing Jake and Ivy all lovey like they had been?
I doubted that with what I’d witnessed that first night I saw them in the brewery. Hmm.
“Ads, we’ve got to roll,” Ivy called. She looked at Jake. “You can take her home, and I’ll head to convenient care and get this checked out.”
“I don’t want you to go by yourself,” Jake growled.
Bless overprotective men. It could be hot as long as they weren’t assholes. Another mental note to add to my ongoing list of things to ponder and/or add to my book.
Ivy attempted to reassure Jake. “Sweetheart, do you know how often I went by myself with Ads? It’s no big deal, and I don’t want Addie in the waiting room. Goddess knows what germs she’d pick up.”
Noah still seemed frozen in place with an almost pained look on his face.
“Momma, I don’t want to leave O’Malley. We’re best friends. He’ll be so lonely without me,” Addie called from the nook, her voice trending toward a whine she was clearly trying to hold back.
Before I knew it, words spilled out of my mouth without a conscious decision to say anything. “How about Noah and I keep Addie, then you can both go.”
Ivy stopped swaying and patting the fussy babe on her chest and turned toward me with a glance at the still-silent Noah.
She seemed to study him even as he didn’t pipe up with any thoughts on my suggestion.
Finally, she moved to a spot in front of him, her sway continuing as she walked and patted, Lorelai still fussing, but it was much quieter now.
“Noah,” she said in a low voice, her comment making him focus on her.
Noah shook his head, then looked around to the nook, then at Jake, then Ivy again, before focusing on me. Clearing his throat, he said, “Addie and I can go to my place—you don’t have to give up your afternoon.”
“Da-ddyyyyyyyy.” Addie poked her head out of the opening to the platform as she shot her parents a look.
I laughed at her incensed voice before looking at Noah. “I’d love you guys to stay.”
He watched me for a moment, probably to determine if I really meant what I said, then gave me a nod before looking at Ivy. “We’ve got Ads; you guys go ahead.”
Addie cheered and went back in her space without further comment to us, but some words were being mumbled to O’Malley. I heard “Silly parents” and “I’ve got you, sweet kitty.” My poor cat didn’t know what he was in for with that pint-sized dynamo.
“Excellent, guys. Let’s go, babe.” Jake grabbed their diaper bag and was ready to roll, looking all sorts of impatient.
Ivy hugged Noah, saying something in his ear before coming over to give me a squeeze. She whispered to me, “We’ll chat later, Jules. Take care of him.”
“I’ve got him,” I replied, hoping I was telling the truth.