Chapter 22 Dakota
DAKOTA
This is new. I peer through groggy eyes at the small blonde child staring at me from next to the bed. Her big eyes are staring straight through my soul. “Good morning.”
“Daddy said you make really good blueberry pancakes.”
Right. He did mention that.
“Amber, it’s early,” I hear Gabe mumble into his pillow.
“Daaadddy,” the girl whines. “It’s almost six! I have school!” That’s right, I do remember Gabe setting an alarm before we drifted back off to sleep, but I could have sworn it was for seven.
The little girl stomps and whines again.
Oh God, he’s upset her. She’s going to start crying soon, I can feel it. I don’t know if I’m ready for that. I mean, she’s a huge part of Gabe’s life, and I want to meet her. I want to be a big part of his life, so I need this kid to like me.
It’s a lot of pressure.
He loves me.
“Why are you smiling?” she asks curiously, her head tilted to the side.
Am I smiling? Yeah, probably. I don’t tell her I’m smiling because her ridiculously hot father somehow fell in love with me and I’m still a little drunk on that revelation. “I was just thinking about how much you’re going to love my pancakes.”
The little girl scoffs, one foot out in front of the other as she stares me down and crosses her arms over her chest. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Okay, my lips twitch in another smile because the kid is cute. As far as kids go, I’d say Gabe has a good one. “Meet you in the kitchen?” I ask.
She thinks about it for a moment before dropping her little arms to her sides and nodding. “Okay. But one minute.”
I grin at her. “Okay.”
“And go potty!” Gabe says as she bounces out of the room. His big, strong arms wrap around me, pulling me to his warm body. “Morning,” he rumbles in my ear.
“Morning. I have to get up and make pancakes.”
“I don’t think she’s starving,” he says, nipping at my ear, and as badly as I want to stay in bed with Gabe, I don’t want to anger the tiny human I need to like me.
“Nope. Up,” I say, climbing out of the bed and stealing a pair of his sweats from his dresser. They’re a little big on me, but I’m not going into the kitchen in my underwear like last night. “If I have to be up this early, you do too.”
He grins. “Fine.” He climbs out of the bed, all that glorious tan, muscular body on display for me, and I almost forget about what we’re doing until I hear another loud whine from the kitchen.
“Oh my God, we have to go,” I say, grabbing a T-shirt from his closet and practically falling out into the hallway as I try to get it on over my head. Gabe is totally calm and cool, grabbing a pair of sweats and then following behind me.
Amber is sitting in a stool that makes her look even smaller, her little elbows perched on the island countertop. “That took forever!”
I smile to myself as I shuffle around the kitchen, finding all the ingredients I need, like I live here or something. It’s a strange feeling that hits me as I get to work, mixing the ingredients together and heating up the pan on the stove.
I can see the future in this.
I want this.
I look over at Gabe and catch his sappy smile. Is he thinking the same thing? He loves me.
Why didn’t I say it back?
I think I was too stunned that this gorgeous, sweet, amazing man felt that way about me. I never let myself dream about this kind of future. Ever. I’m scared, but . . . I want this.
I swallow hard and get busy working. Now is not the time. I put a fluffy, perfect—if I do say so myself—pancake on a plate in front of Amber. She frowns though, not looking nearly as impressed as I’d hoped.
Gabe isn’t worried though. He just steps right up and adds some butter and syrup before cutting it up into little pieces. Something I’m certain he’s done many times before. “Try it,” he says to her, putting a small bite on her fork.
She takes it and puts it into her mouth, chewing it slowly. I swear I’m holding my goddamn breath, waiting for this tiny version of Gordan Ramsey to decide my fate.
Her eyes light up though, and then she takes another bite, finally forcing me to let out a relieved breath.
“Good?” Gabe checks.
“So good!” she says, taking another bite.
He laughs and swipes his hand over her hair. “Easy. Chew,” he urges with a heart-melting smile directed at her, but then he turns it my way. “Good job.”
I can’t help the pride that soars through me. “Thank you. Want some?”
“Of course,” he says, but he doesn’t stop at making a plate just for him, he makes one for me too and slides it in front of one of the three stools at his island. I didn’t notice there were three here before, and I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose, just the way the kitchen is designed.
But it still feels right as all three of us sit at the island, eating breakfast. After we eat, I do the dishes while Gabe gets Amber ready for school, just in time for the doorbell to ring.
“Mommy!” Amber says, shooting off toward the door with Gabe following after her.
“Amber, don’t answer the door without me,” he says exasperated, following after her but winking at me. “The kid has never met a stranger. I swear.”
I smile at that and walk slowly toward the door behind them, hoping to make a better impression with his ex. Amber pulls the door open and throws herself at her mom, who I didn’t really get a chance to see too much last night but now see is a stunning woman with a bright smile.
“Hey, baby.” She hugs her daughter, her belly protruding out but not keeping Amber back from snuggling into her at all. “Missed you.”
“Missed you too! I’m ready for school.”
“Okay.” The woman laughs. “Go get your backpack.”
“Okay!” Amber bounces off, and it leaves the three of us standing awkwardly in the doorway.
“I’m Shelly,” she says, reaching a petite hand out for me.
“Dakota,” I say, my trembling hand shaking hers.
She smirks at Gabe. “Even hotter with clothes on. How is that even possible?”
Gabe just laughs as I blush. “I know, right?”
“I’m ready!” Amber comes back out, dressed for school with her backpack slung over both shoulders. “Mommy, did you meet daddy’s boyfriend?”
“I did,” Shelly says and nods toward me. “He’s right here.”
Amber looks over at me, “Oh, yeah.” She giggles, and I’m not sure what’s so funny, but we all laugh anyway. “Hey, you’re the one with the kittens, right?”
She’s just connected the dots, I suppose. I nod. “Mm-hmm.”
“Oh God, you have kittens?” Shelly says. “You are perfect, huh?”
I don’t know how to answer that but don’t have to because Gabe wraps an arm around my waist. “Totally perfect.” He looks at his daughter. “Maybe I’ll bring you to Dakota’s to meet them soon. He has a really cool house out in the country.”
“Oh yeah!” She lights up, and I feel that pride inside me again. Good call on inheriting a house out in the country, past Dakota. “Can we go today?” she asks me, and I look to both of her parents.
Her mom just laughs. “Soon. We’re supposed to go see Grandma and Grandpa after school today, remember?”
“Fine,” she pouts, but I don’t think she’s too upset. Her wide eyes look up at me. “Don’t name them until I meet them, okay? I have ideas, but I need to meet them first.”
I smile and hold up one hand, like I’m swearing on a Bible or something. “I promise.”
“Okay, good. Thanks for the pancakes! I give them a nine.”
“Just a nine?” I frown, and she cackles, putting her little hand on my arm like she’s trying to make me feel better.
“You’ll get there.”
I laugh, and Shelly looks exasperated, shaking her head and apologizing before they head out. Gabe closes the door behind them, still laughing.
“She’s quite the character.”
He laughs, facing me and his hands going to my upper arms. “Oh, man. You have no idea. Keeps me on my toes for sure.”
“She’s really cute.”
“Don’t fall under her spell too much. You’ll never get out.” He kisses me sweetly, and I take the moment to just be with him. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, wanting so much more.
I’m a little sore after last night, but in the absolute best way. And I’d still take him right back to bed if I could.
“I have to get to work so I can get out to your house.” He smiles against my lips. “And then . . . dinner and a documentary at your house after?”
I nod my head so fast, I nearly knock into him. “Yes. But what if she needs you again tonight?”
He pulls back enough to look into my eyes, and I swear I see the love shining through him. Gabe couldn’t hide how he felt if he tried, and I like that about him. I like so many things about him. “God, I love you.”
“What?” I asked him, stunned. I mean, I know he said it last night, and I know he means it, but the sure way he says it . . .
“I love you. Thank you for worrying about her, but Shelly has my number. And now that she knows about us, she can find me.”
I nod my head. “I, um . . .” Love him too. Say it!
But the words are stuck, and he seems unbothered. He’s in a great mood when we part ways for me to go to my house, while he heads to work. And he’s still in a fantastic mood when he gets to my house.
I have to get some work done today on my computer, but I manage to hang out with him a bit. And the whole time my brain is screaming . . .
I love you. I love you. I love you.