26. Fia
Fia
From her high chair in front of me, Daisy picks up little pieces of cut strawberry, pinching each one between her fingers before eating it.
“I promise we are all good. She will be back on Monday,” I reassure Luanne before hanging up the phone.
Like I predicted, I had to call off work today. Daisy is still fighting an ear infection, and I woke up feeling hungover.
It could be the mere five hours of sleep I got, or it could be the entire pint of ice cream I ate before crashing out.
Or it could be the fact that I woke up with Caden’s palm resting on my ass.
Or it could be the fact that I liked it. Or how I hated it when he left.
“We need to get out, get some sunshine,” I say to Daisy, glancing around the messy guesthouse.
I’ve said this to her three times this morning, hoping it will build my courage to actually do so. Because the moment I step out the door, I could run into my grumpy boss who happens to be not actually that grumpy but kind of sweet and thoughtful and definitely a good cuddler.
My cheeks flush just thinking about my chest on his.
I shiver, shake out my limbs, and turn to fill the sippy cup with water before we walk outside.
Then my phone rings.
“Jesse, hey . . .”
My heart is beating out of sync.
“Hey,” he says, his voice deep, and there’s a rush of wind as if he’s driving slow. “I know I promised to keep things to myself for as long as possible—”
I squeeze my eyes shut—I don’t like where this is going.
“But your sister just called me, and she wants to throw a midsummer luncheon thing next Saturday. I don’t even know. I think she’s had a few mimosas at brunch . . . Either way, she wants to throw it at the house. Your house.”
Daisy wiggles to get out of her high chair, but I sink to the floor, leaning against the kitchen cabinet.
“Okay, okay . . .” I tap my head, brainstorming. Which is pretty freaking hard when you’re sleep deprived.
“I tried to talk her out of it,” Jesse adds with a sigh, “but you know how she is when she gets an idea.”
He doesn’t have to tell me. I grew up with her.
My phone beeps with another call. When I pull the phone from my ear, Penny’s face beams from my screen.
“Shit, Jesse, she’s calling me now.” I don’t give him a chance to reply. “I’m answering. I’ll update you after.”
I swallow, smiling at Daisy for encouragement, and swipe my screen.
“Hey, Pen!” I greet her enthusiastically. Faint music plays in the background. She’s still on her best friend’s bachelorette trip.
“Fia! I miss you!” Penny yells into the phone. “I wanted to run a fun idea by you.”
I listen as she explains her idea for some elaborate brunch. She’s definitely a few drinks in, though no part of me doubts she won’t remember this idea or this conversation.
“Actually,” I say, quicker than I should, hoping she’s too toasted to notice, “I was hoping we could have a family beach day next weekend. We can bring a picnic and games. It will be like the old days.”
As I come up with the idea on the spot, it actually sounds really nice.
Our nan used to take us to the beach most weekends in the summer and pack lunches, and I’d spend the afternoon collecting seashells with her. Those days are some of the happiest memories I have.
“I was really looking forward to a themed brunch . . .” Penny starts and a bunch of women laugh in the background. “But low-key is great too. Let’s go to the beach. Can you text the guys the plan? We are about to leave the restaurant.”
“You got it!” I reply, more than happy to do so.
We get off the phone, and I send Jesse a text first.
Fia: Crisis averted.
Daisy jams her finger into her ear and I pop up, grabbing her hand, gently pulling it away. It’s time for more medication, poor girl.
I exhale and walk into the living room to grab the medicine, feeling happy about putting out one fire.
But then another one starts. In the form of Caden Brooks.
He’s in the driveway, with another extremely fit guy. Caden’s shirtless with tennis shoes and black shorts that ride up as he jumps through drills in the driveway. Jumping, squatting, sweat glistening off of him as the other guy yells out words of encouragement.
That’s what I’m assuming anyway, I can’t actually hear them, but the guys are definitely having a conversation even though it appears like Caden’s pushing his body to the brink of collapse.
If Daisy and I go outside now, we can’t avoid being seen.
“Let’s wait just a little, honey bunny.” I smile, tickling Daisy’s little belly as I trick her into swallowing her medicine.
I’ll wait until Caden’s inside the garage, then I’ll take Daisy on a little walk around the property. She likes to see the flowers and collect acorns.
I set Daisy down, and she takes off after Hamburger. I use the moment to load the dishwasher, but I can’t help but sneak one more tiny look out the window at the man who holds my future, and as of last night . . . my ass?
He glistens in the sun with his hair shoved back off his face, squatting down to flip a tractor tire, every muscle bulging under his sun-kissed skin. My own core burns . . . but for entirely different reasons, and I have to peel my eyes away.
I’m not sure if this is the universe testing me, punishing me, or rewarding me.
Somehow, it feels like all three.