Chapter Six #2
“So, remember when you had Muffins with Mom Day and Donuts with Dad at school?” Aurora asks.
She glances at me. “I let the principal have it for doing things that aren’t inclusive, but that’s for another time,” she says with a laugh.
“There was nothing wrong with Bagel Breakfast and bring a friend,” she mutters.
I can imagine her, pissed off on her daughter’s behalf.
Leah blinks. She is so damned cute, with her wild hair and pink frosting stains around her mouth. “Yeah, I ‘member.”
“What did you ask me that day?” Aurora strokes Leah’s hair. “God, you need that nest brushed.” She leans over and kisses Leah’s cheek. “Do you remember?” she prods.
“I asked why I didn’t have a daddy.” Her voice lacks its normal sparkle, and she curls her legs beneath her.
A lump rises in my throat. I hate that I missed out on those important things. Worse, she’s been hurt, because she obviously knew something is different about her family.
“And what did Mommy tell you?”
Leah stares at Aurora with the most serious expression I’ve seen on her face yet. “That all families are different.”
Aurora nods. “Yep. What else?”
“You said that even though I didn’t have a daddy, I had aunts and uncles who loved me.” She rubs her eyes but doesn’t look away from Aurora, whose gaze darts to me, then back to our daughter.
“And?”
“And even though we couldn’t find my daddy, he loved me very much,” Leah says.
Holy shit. She covered my ass even when she didn’t have to. Now I am near tears.
“Right. So, what if I told you I found your daddy?”
Leah’s eyes open wide. “You did!?” This time, she has her loud voice, and I know she’s excited. “Where is he?” She looks all around, her big eyes landing on me .
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aurora nod at me.
I am up.
Drawing a deep breath, I look at the little girl who captured my heart the first time I laid eyes on her. How do I do this? What do I say?
“Leah…” My voice cracks, and I can’t bring myself to be embarrassed. I clear my throat. “Leah, I’m your daddy.”
She blinks. “Why couldn’t we find you?”
Leave it to my kid to be smart about it.
She’s stumped me. How do I answer in a way she’ll understand and accept? “It’s a long story. But I’m here now, and I want to do all the things I missed. Like Daddy Donut Day.” I look to Aurora for help, but she’s smiling…and leaving me to fend for myself. “Would you like that?”
Leah climbs to her knees and looks me over. “You’re really my daddy?”
I nod.
Next thing I know, she jumps into my lap and wraps her little arms around my neck. “I missed you, Daddy.”
Jesus. Has anything ever felt so good? I hug her back and glance over her shoulder. Aurora watches us, tears in her eyes.
Before either of us can speak, Leah releases me. “ Can I open presents now?”
Oh, to be a child, and let things flow in and out so easily, I think.
“Bring me a pen and paper so I can make a list of who gave you what. You’ll need to write thank-you notes,” Aurora says.
Leah has already run for the kitchen.
“Check the junk drawer and go potty before you come back in!” Aurora turns to me. “You did well,” she assures me.
“I’ve never felt so much pressure in my life. Not to mention, she’s a sassy little thing. Like her mom.” I grin, and Aurora laughs aloud.
“Listen, before she comes back, I have a question for you. I know I said I’d give you plenty of time to get a sitter, but is there any chance you can get someone for tomorrow night?”
I want time alone with her.
Hands on time.
She bites down on her lower lip. “I can manage that. Leah wants a sleepover at her grandma’s anyway.”
And that reminds me—I need to talk to her about setting up a time for our daughter to meet my family. But right now, I have my work cut out for me. I intend to give Aurora a night she’ll never forget…just before I break the news that I have another business trip coming up that I can’t put off.
** *
Aurora
I must have lost my mind. Why else would I agree to join Nick on a scenic helicopter tour of Manhattan right before sunset? We take a limousine from my house to Westchester County Airport, where we are given a safety briefing before boarding for the private tour for two.
Nick told me to dress comfortably and casually, so I wear a pair of dark jeans, a light blue tank and a white jean jacket in case it’s cool—something I end up grateful for once we take off.
I’m shocked when we pull into the airport and even more surprised at what he’s planned. Waiting for me inside the aircraft is a bottle of champagne and two small cups along with a bouquet of white roses. We wear headsets, which allow us to talk and hear the pilot narrating as he flies.
I expected an upscale restaurant and intimate conversation, which I prepared for all day. To say I’m blown away is an understatement. The man has gone all out to give me a special night.
Nick reaches over and takes my hand. He remains silent as we look out the windows at the gorgeous orange and yellow view of New York City highlights.
We take in Central Park and Yankee Stadium, along with the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings.
I’m floored by the view of the Manhattan skyline and squeeze Nick’s hand the entire time he’s pointing things out, feeling closer to him than ever before.
When the helicopter portion of the night is over, I grasp my flowers, he picks up the champagne we haven’t yet opened, and walk back to the limousine.
Once we climb into the back, the driver shuts the door behind us.
Although I have misgivings about getting romantically involved with Nick, everything about the evening has set me up to simply relax and enjoy it.
Since I rarely take any time for myself, I push my worries to the back of my mind for the night. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.
“Have fun?” he asks.
I nod. “It was spectacular,” I murmur. “I’m still fairly new to New York and haven’t seen all the sights yet. But to see them just as the sun set…” I sigh. “I’m grateful for the experience. Thank you for it, as well as the flowers and champagne.”
He chuckles. “The champagne came with the tour. It was billed as a romantic flight. The flowers were all me, and you’re welcome. They remind me of you. They’re gorgeous.”
He winks, and my stomach flutters as it only does for him .
“You’re a charmer.” Suddenly exhausted, I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.
“We have an hour ride back to the city, so you have time for a nap, if you want.”
I lift my head up in surprise. “We’re not going back to my house?”
He shakes his head. “No. Now put your head back down and rest. I have more planned for you. And you’re going to need your strength.”
Dear God, his words and actions are a potent combination.
He pats his shoulder, indicating I should do as he asks. When I comply, he wraps his arm around me and holds me close. I doze off, my senses overwhelmed by Nick’s masculine scent and his strong embrace.
I’m not sure how long I slept, but I wake to find the car coming to a stop, and Nick saying my name.
I lift my head and stretch the kink in my neck. “Where are we?”
“My hotel. But it’s not what you think.” Nick’s grin sends butterflies bouncing in my stomach.
The driver opens the door and lets us out.
Curious, I let Nick take my hand and lead me into the building. He greets the doorman, then walks through the beautiful marble lobby to the elevator. A few minutes later, we are in his suite.
Inside, we kick off our shoes, and he leads me to a small dining area where a table is set up. Candles are lit, and a man wearing a white professional chef’s coat walks out of what I assume is a kitchen. Another man in a suit steps up behind him.
Nick keeps a hand on my back. “Aurora Kingston, I’d like to introduce you to Max Savage and Sebastian Del Torro, owners of Savage Soho, a three-star Michelin restaurant. Max is married to my cousin, Lucy Dare.”
“Lucy Savage ,” Max says in a low, possessive voice.
I smile. “So, you must be related to the Prescotts, too?”
Max, an extremely good-looking man with dark hair, reaches out and shakes my hand. “Yes, we found out we’re related.” He shrugs, an amused smile on his face.
I grin. I’ve heard the sperm donor story from my friends Braden and Willow Prescott.
“It’s great to meet you, Aurora,” Max says.
Sebastian, also an attractive man, steps forward and shakes my hand, as well.
“A pleasure to meet you both,” I say.
“So what are you doing here, Max? Did you take up cooking in your spare time?” Nick asks his cousin.
“When I heard you asked Sebastian to put together a special meal, I couldn’t resist stopping by to say hello and see who’s got you pulling out all the stops.” Max glances at me and winks.
I blush but understand.
Nick shrugs, unrepentant. “Well, you’ve said hello.” He slaps the man on the back. “And now you can say goodbye. We’ll get together for drinks sometime soon. But tonight, I want to be with my girl.”
I open my eyes wide at that claim but possessiveness seems to run in the Dare family.
Max bursts out laughing. “I love it. Have a good night and enjoy. I hope to see you again,” he says to me. “I’ll let myself out.”
“And I’m heading back to the kitchen,” Sebastian says. “Are you ready to begin dinner service?”
“Yes, please.” Nick waits for the chef to walk back into the kitchen before pulling out the chair at the head of the table. “Have a seat.”
I settle in, and he sits next to me.
I’m touched by the lengths to which he’s gone for our date. It couldn’t be easy for Sebastian to cook in what is a very small area, yet he is here.
“Thank you, Nick. This has been an incredible night.”
His eyes gleam with pleasure. “I know you’ve had the Kingston money for a while now, but I’m sure the fact that you grew up without much is never far from your mind. I just wanted you to feel special.”