Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
KIKI EMMERSON
I wake to the smell of bacon. The heavenly smell combined with the memories of Tobias kissing me last night infuse me with a rush of excitement and energy. I quickly shower, get dressed in a blue top and pair of cute jeans with bling on the back pockets, and go down the stairs.
“Kiki!” Skyler runs to me when I enter the kitchen. “Daddy’s making pancakes and bacon.”
Tobias turns around from the island stove to smile at me. He’s wearing a white button up shirt again, but the sleeves are rolled up, and he’s in casual slacks. “Good morning.”
I walk up beside him and grab a piece of bacon from the plate. “Smells delicious.”
“Kiki, listen to my joke.” Skyler tugs on my jeans.
“Okay.”
“What do lawyers wear?”
I think about it a moment. “I don’t know. What do they wear?”
“Lawsuits!”
I laugh and poke Tobias. “Did your dad tell you that joke? Because it’s such a dad joke.”
Skyler giggles.
“Yes, ma’am.” Tobias grins, and slides his arm around me, pulling me to him. I melt into him. Having his arms around me feels like being wrapped in comfort and security. This is what heaven is, I’m sure of it. Being wrapped in the arms of someone you love.
The thought startles me. Do I love Tobias? I’ve only known him a little over a week. Can a person fall in love that fast? But even as that question forms in my mind, I know it’s possible, because I’m pretty sure I am in love with Tobias. He’s so kindhearted, attentive, and gentle. He’s a great father to Skyler. He splays his hand across my back and my breath hitches.
He leans over and gives me a quick kiss before letting me go and turning back to his pancake. Butterflies erupt inside of me. I thought I loved Randy, but he never made me feel this way. I had a crush on Randy. With Tobias, it’s the real thing. It’s new and dizzying to think about.
Micah walks in slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “Wish me luck on my physics test.”
“Good luck,” Tobias and I say at the same time.
Micah rolls his eyes but a hint of a smile tells me he thought it was funny. “You guys are corny.”
Tobias nudges my arm. “That’s better than lame.”
“I’ll take it.” I hold out a strip of bacon. “Did you get anything to eat?”
He raises his hand. “No thanks. Too greasy for me.”
My jaw drops as I put the bacon strip back. “You don’t like bacon? Is there a person on earth who doesn’t like bacon?”
“I know,” Tobias says. “It’s weird. I think there’s something wrong with him.”
Micah scoffs.
“At least grab some yogurt or something.” I walk to the fridge and open it. “Here, you like strawberry banana.” I toss it to him.
“Yes, mother.” His words drip with sarcasm.
Skyler giggles as she climbs up one of the bar stools. “Kiki’s not your mother.”
Micah grins at her. “She’s not?”
“Nope.” Skyler shakes her head.
“Well darn. Maybe, though, she might become?—”
“Micah,” Tobias says, cutting him off. “Don’t.”
My face heats, but I try not to let it bother me.
Micah grins as he grabs a spoon and heads out the back door. “I was going to say, ‘your friend.’ That’s all. See you later.”
Tobias slides the last pancake onto the stack and shuts off the burner. “Sorry about that. My brothers think it’s incredibly funny to tease me.”
“It’s all right. They’re cute.”
He takes a step toward me. “I think you’re cute,” he says, his voice low.
His phone rings, and he picks it up from the counter.
“This is Tobias.”
I pull a pancake off the stack and get it ready for Skyler. “Eat your breakfast,” I whisper.
She stabs a pancake square and stuffs it into her mouth. Some syrup drips onto her chin and she tries to lick it off with her tongue. I don’t know why, but it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and I have to stifle a laugh.
“Today?” Tobias says, his voice strained. He listens for a moment, then nods. “All right. I’ll be there.”
After he hangs up, I give him a questioning look. “Everything okay?”
“There’s a problem with one of the orders at one of my investment companies. I have to drive to the mainland and fix it. I wasn’t expecting to, so it’s going to put me behind on a few other things. I was already behind, so I might have to work some long hours this week to make up for it.”
Long hours? Does that mean I won’t see him much this week? Disappointment settles in my stomach. “No problem. I can take care of everything here. You go do what you need to.”
Tobias steps close to me. His gaze smolders, and it makes all those butterflies take flight inside of me. He brushes my hair behind my shoulders, and his hands skim down my arms. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
My face heats, and I know I’m blushing. “I’m just doing my job.”
He squints at me. “No, I don’t think so.”
“What do you mean?”
He pulls me to him. “There’s just something about the way you take care of Skyler. Like she’s special. You’re a caring person.”
My heart jumps into my throat. I’ve been mothering her too much. He’s noticed.
Levi walks into the kitchen and Tobias steps back from me. Levi chuckles. “I’m happy for you guys.” He grabs a piece of bacon.
“You off to work?” Tobias asks.
“Yep. See you.” Levi gives us a wave and leaves. A moment later his motorcycle starts up outside and he drives off.
“I talked to him about taking motorcycle driving classes, and he was actually excited about it.” Tobias gives me a smile. “Thanks for giving me that idea. It does make me feel better.”
“Good.” I feel pleased that he took my advice.
“I’d better change into my suit and get going.” He starts to leave, but turns back to me. “Oh, while I’m thinking about it, I printed off a new W-9 form. It’s in my office. Can you fill it out? I need to pay you for last week.”
Guilt rises in my chest as reality comes crashing down on me. I’m lying to Tobias. To everyone here. My relationship with Tobias is just an illusion. It’s all fake. I can’t stay here.
Tobias frowns. “Everything okay?”
I school my features and nod. “I’m fine. Sorry, I just spaced out for a minute.”
“Why don’t you go fill out that form right now while I change? I can get your payment ready today.”
My throat closes and I have a hard time breathing. “Sure. I can do that.”
He leaves, and I walk into his office and pick up the W-9 form. I stare at it for a long time before I pick up a pen and fill it out, using my fake last name, and a fake social security number. This will buy me a little more time, at least.
Tobias enters the office wearing a suit and tie. I swallow. Dang. Why was I trying so hard to get him to wear jeans? He looks amazing all dressed up. “Here,” I say, handing him the paper.
“Thanks. I hope I’ll be home in time for dinner, but if I’m not, go ahead and eat without me.”
“Okay.”
He steps forward and pulls me into his arms. “We should probably have a conversation sometime soon about us.”
I nod, feeling even more guilty. “Okay.”
“Tonight?”
“Sure.”
Tobias brushes his lips across mine before letting me go. He leaves, and I sink down to the floor.