Chapter 9 #2
“He’s a single dad, and his daughter is in Annabel’s class.
We’ve met at school stuff, so I’ve seen him before, but I didn’t know much about him.
The other morning, we were both early for drop-off, and somehow it came up in conversation that we’re both single.
” She tucked her legs beneath her. “I don’t know.
It felt like we had a moment. But then it was time to go, and nothing happened. ”
“I’m so invested in this. Go on.”
“Annabel and I went to Christmas Village yesterday, and out of nowhere, she shrieks and runs off. I was about to freak out, like where the heck are you going, kid? But she’d spotted her friend Lucy.”
“Let me guess. The cute single dad’s daughter? He is cute, right?”
“So cute,” she said on a sigh. “Anyway, yes, it was them. So we kind of hung out together all day. Never made it over to the trees.”
“Are you guys going to see each other again?”
“That’s the thing, I don’t know. We didn’t make any plans. He didn’t even get my number. So obviously, I’m doubting that he even likes me.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know. He seems very reserved. Not shy, but like he’s… careful. Does that make sense?”
“It does.”
“We also got interrupted when we were saying goodbye. Another one of the school moms showed up. She’s very much not single, but she acts like it.” She rolled her eyes. “She flirts with him every time they’re around each other. It’s so gross.”
“Oh my gosh, I think I know who you’re talking about. Is she the one who gives off mean girl vibes?”
She nodded. “That’s probably her.”
“Well, that sucks. Hopefully, you’ll see each other at drop-off, and he’ll ask you out.”
“I hope so, too. At least, I think I do. I don’t exactly trust my taste in men.”
“Come on, you were seventeen last time. Who has good judgment then?”
“I guess. I just don’t want to get my hopes up.”
I didn’t blame her. I didn’t want her to get her hopes up, either. Not that I was opposed to her dating someone. But if he hurt her, I’d have to plan a murder.
“Don’t stress about it. You’ll see him this week, and I bet he asks you out.”
She smiled. “Thanks. If he does, you can watch her, right?”
“Obviously. Just not Tuesday. I might have a thing.”
“What thing?”
I hesitated. I wasn’t going to lie to my sister, but I knew Jensen needed me to be discreet. I’d wait and tell her the whole story—every detail—when it was over. Then I’d only be keeping it from her for a little while, and only because it was necessary to get the job done.
Besides, it wouldn’t have been the first time one of us kept a secret from the other. We were close, but we didn’t share everything.
“Work thing. For the strike.”
She made a face. “Yuck.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
A happy Annabel shriek carried through the window.
“What is she doing out there?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Nina got up and went to the window. “Oh… my… You have to come see this.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Just look.”
I stood and joined her by the window. And I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Annabel was having a snowball fight. With Jensen Lakes.
He had his back to a small tree—it didn’t provide much cover—while he packed snow in his hands. Annabel threw a snowball that crumbled when it landed about a foot away from him. Then she ducked behind her blue plastic sled, using it as a shield.
Jensen threw his snowball and clearly missed on purpose. It hit the side of the house with a splat.
“Missed!” Annabel yelled and laughed.
Holding her sled in front of her, she crept closer. Jensen didn’t bother standing behind the tree. He watched her come, a bewildered smile on his face.
“You know I can see you.” He leaned down and scooped up another handful of snow.
She laughed again.
“All right. You asked for it.” He threw the snowball at her sled.
With another shriek, she let it drop and grabbed snow in both hands. Jensen pretended to be stuck to the ground as if his feet had frozen in place, while she made a snowball.
“Oh no!” he said, half laughing. “She’s going to get me.”
When Annabel tossed the snowball at him, he twisted so it tagged him on the shoulder. Grabbing his arm, he cried out as if in pain and toppled to the ground.
“I wouldn’t have pegged him as a kid person,” Nina said. “But he’s been really sweet to her.”
I gazed at him as Annabel ran over to see if he was okay. He tossed a little bit of snow in the air. It wasn’t enough to hit her, just made her laugh.
That smile of his was so… genuine. It wasn’t the cocky smirk or self-assured grin I’d seen before. It was just a smile—a man having fun with a little kid. It was strangely wholesome.
And unbelievably sexy.
Blinking away my daze, I realized I hadn’t replied to Nina. “Yeah, he’s full of surprises.”
“You should have gone out with him.”
I stepped away from the window. “Still no.”
“Okay,” she said, her tone skeptical.
I turned and went to the kitchen, hoping that would end the conversation.
Yes, Jensen Lakes was handsome beyond reason. And seeing him be sweet with Annabel did terrible things to my ovaries. But I couldn’t start indulging in feelings for a man I’d just met—a man who was never going to stay.
I couldn’t take that risk.