Chapter Nineteen
SARAH
I stared out the passenger side window with a smile plastered on my face. The last few nights had been perfect. Our normal routine wasn’t anything exciting. Just dinner and football or a show. But after Nora went down for the night, we’d get lost in each other.
Jay brushed a thumb back and forth along the top of mine, the subtle movement making my stomach flutter. A sigh left my lips.
Even though I hadn’t gotten another text this week, he insisted on staying the night. Which was fine with me, and Nora was excited each morning when she woke up, standing in her crib, reaching toward us.
It felt like a miracle. She’d gradually been going down easier over the last few weeks and had begun sleeping through the night in her crib. And the nights Jay put her down always went the smoothest.
“Are you nervous?” Jay’s question cut through my thoughts.
“Not really.” I shrugged. “My parents are excited to meet you.”
I guess I was a little anxious about what my mom would think. She was a good judge of character. Time after time, she’d warned me about red flags in my shitty relationships that I’d completely missed. Nerves fluttered through me. Was this just another time I was being blind?
I didn’t think so.
Nora hadn’t stopped babbling since we pulled out of the lot. But Jay had also not stopped having a conversation, however one-sided it was, with her. Who did that?
Stomach fluttering, I studied the man sitting in the driver’s seat talking nonsense with my one-year-old in the back seat.
There was no denying it. I was falling for this selfless, protective man.
The way he fussed over my daughter and the way, with just a look, he made me feel like I was the only thing he could see, was slowly healing my battered heart.
He turned my way and smiled.
I had no doubt he would walk over burning coals to get to someone he loved.
I swallowed hard. Maybe I wasn’t being blind. Or maybe Jay deserved better than a thirtysomething single mom with way too much baggage.
But almost two hours later, my mom hadn’t said a word or given me any clue that she didn’t approve. In fact, both my parents seemed smitten with Jay. And really, who wouldn’t be? That boyish smirk of his worked not only on Nora and me, but on anyone it was aimed at.
As I was pouring lemonade into my glass, my mom stepped into the kitchen. Tensing, I peered through the opening above the sink that led into my parents’ living room. Jay and my dad roared as the commentator on TV confirmed a fumble. I should’ve known the two would bond over football.
I spun toward my mom, one eyebrow slightly raised.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Please tell me you think he’s great.”
She smiled. “Do you think he’s great?”
I huffed. I loved my mom, but I did not have time for her reverse psychology crap tonight.
“Of course. I think he’s amazing. But I’ve been blind to red flags before.” I sucked in air, then forced out the last of my thoughts. “So please, for the love of God, tell me I’m not wrong this time.”
“Oh, honey.” She pulled me into a hug. “I can’t promise you that he won’t break your heart, but no, I don’t think you’re wrong for thinking he’s amazing.” She pulled back to look at me. “And I think he feels the same.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because all night, his attention has been fixed on either you or Nora.”
I glanced back into the living room, meeting Jay’s gaze. The smirk he shot back had my body doing stupid things.
“He’s really good with her,” I whispered as my one-year-old giggled from where she was balanced on his knee.
Her smile was slow. “He is.”
There was a but coming. Dammit. Heart in my throat, I studied her, waiting.
“But just make sure he’s as amazing with you as he is with her.”
My stomach twisted. It was important that my potential life partner cherish Nora the way I did.
But no, that wasn’t the only reason my heart soared.
He looked at me with so much affection, and his touch made me feel safe, loved.
Even the way he cared for Nora showed his affection and dedication to me.
He was obviously smitten with Nora, but he also understood that by taking care of her, he was taking care of me.
Like occupying her while I cooked dinner or putting her to bed so I didn’t feel guilty leaving her there crying for me.
The thoughts swirled for the rest of the evening.
Even after he carried Nora out and put her into her seat and we were in the car heading home.
Even after he continued to be patient with me every time I said he didn’t have to do something.
He would just cup my cheek and remind me for the hundredth time that he knew, but that he wanted to.