Chapter 29 Lee
TWENTY-NINE
LEE
“Where are you taking Stella?” Bennie asked me as she sat on the edge of my bed, her legs swinging back and forth.
“I’m taking her on a date,” I said, slipping my feet into my sneakers.
“But a date is a thing, not a place, right? Can Taylor order pizza for us tonight?”
Rachel’s sister was coming to watch Bennie for the evening so I could finally take Stella out. As she’d said, we’d been out together millions of times, but not like this. We hadn’t been a couple past the inside of my house—or really, my bedroom and bathroom.
I’d come home from our road trip last night, but I’d had tonight planned days ago. I wouldn’t tell Stella where we were going, and I couldn’t tell my daughter since she didn’t keep secrets very well…or at all.
“Come downstairs with me,” I told her, holding out my arm and waving my hand for her to take it.
“Taylor is here!” Bennie rushed down the last ten steps when she spotted Taylor at the door.
“It’s great to see you too,” she said, chuckling as my daughter rammed herself at her long legs.
“Daddy said we could get pizza. Or he was going to, right, Daddy?”
“I already ordered it for you guys.” Stella came up to Bennie and crouched down. “Taylor knows what you eat and what you can watch, so all you have to do is follow her lead.”
Stella turned to meet my gaze, and I almost swallowed my tongue.
Her chestnut hair had more waves than usual, her golden eyes were lined in black, and her lashes were long and dark.
She wore a green silk top, showing off her toned arms and teasing just enough cleavage to tempt my eyes for probably most of the night.
Her jeans were snug and accentuated that perfect ass I’d fought not to stare at for what felt like forever, even though she’d only been living with us for a few months.
Now I could worship it along with the rest of her.
“Before we leave you with Taylor, Stella and I need to talk to you,” I said, bending to meet her gaze. “Come with us into the kitchen, baby girl.”
“Am I in trouble?” Her little brows drew together. “I don’t think I did anything.”
“You didn’t,” Stella said, tapping her chin. “It’s good, I promise.”
“Oh,” she said, her shoulders dropping. “That’s a relief.”
I lifted her up and set her on the kitchen counter.
“Remember what I told you about Stella and me tonight?”
“Yes, that you’re going on a date but didn’t tell me the place.”
“I didn’t tell Stella either.”
“But how did she know what clothes to wear?”
“Exactly,” Stella said, glaring at me. “I had to guess.”
“And you guessed perfect.” I slid my arm around her waist and drew her into my side. “You know how Stella and I are best friends?”
“I thought she was your girlfriend.”
“Well…yeah, she is now.” I cut Stella a look. “How did you know?”
“You kiss her a lot.”
“What did you see… I mean, when did you see Daddy kiss me?” Stella asked, her eyes wide with panic.
“I left one of my plushies on the steps, and you were kissing in the living room. I could tell through the staircase bars. Then you kissed her in the kitchen the morning you made French toast. That was quicker, though.”
I pinched my neck as Stella pressed her palm to her forehead.
“Do you have any questions?” I asked, now wondering what else she’d seen when Stella and I had thought we’d been so careful.
“I don’t think so.” She pursed her lips. “Does that mean she’ll live here after baseball is over this year?”
I stiffened when her face lit up. I didn’t know how to answer that. Regardless of how long we’d known each other, that was a big step I didn’t want to rush if we weren’t ready.
“That means when baseball is over, I’ll still be around all the time, no matter where I live.”
It was a good answer that seemed to satisfy my daughter, but I didn’t like it. I wanted Stella here all the time and hated thinking of her ever moving out, but this was our timeline, not only mine. I’d push for everything when the time was right.
“Great. Can I show Taylor my new books now?”
I let my head fall forward, laughing to myself. Not only had my daughter already known, but she seemed happy about it. Maybe Bennie had a future as a detective because she sure as hell noticed all the details.
“Yes, and we’ll say goodbye now.” I kissed her cheek and lifted her off the counter. “You’ll be sleeping when we get back, so kiss us good night now.”
“Okay. Good night, Daddy,” Bennie said, wrapping her arms around my neck with a quick squeeze.
“Good night, Stella.” Bennie hugged Stella, resting her head on her shoulder and shutting her eyes. She’d fallen hard for her too.
That was why I couldn’t let Stella leave. I’d have to figure out how to help her catch up to me by October.
“I wore comfortable shoes in case you made me walk,” Stella said, lifting her heel when we got to my truck.
“You will have to walk,” I said, opening the car door. “So that was a good decision.”
“You still aren’t telling me?” Her eyes thinned to slits. “Seriously?”
“You’ll figure it out along the way. And you’ll like it, I promise.” I pressed a kiss to her lips and swatted her ass. “So please, get your sweet ass inside my truck so we can go.”
“Fine, but only because you said please.” Her lips, painted cherry red, slanted as she stepped inside.
I made my way to the driver’s seat, still not used to this. I’d been with women since Katie had passed away, but I had never taken a woman out anywhere. I’d gone straight to their hotel rooms and was gone the next morning.
I hadn’t wanted to show them off or send them flowers so they’d remember us while I was away. I hadn’t skipped ahead to all we could be together or even wanted to think of a future that didn’t include only my daughter and me.
Stella was a miracle, and it would always be enough of a shock that I’d never take it for granted.
“Coney Island?” Stella said, her jaw dropped in my periphery. “That’s where you’re taking me?”
“Why not? It’s a beautiful June night. Bennie has Taylor, so she doesn’t care where either of us is or for how long. And remember when we came here as kids?”
“I remember the funnel cake stains on Gary’s shirt.” She laughed when I found her gaze.
“I thought we’d walk around, go for a romantic stroll on the beach. See where the rest of the night takes us.” I pulled into a spot after I paid for parking. “You don’t like it?”
“I love that you planned this. Rides make me nervous. But my brother and best friend wanted to celebrate graduation at Coney Island, so I mustered up the courage for a few rides that night. But walking around and seeing where the night takes us is perfect. As long as I’m with you.
” She leaned over the console and pressed her mouth to mine. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, cupping her cheek. “You’re gorgeous, in case I haven’t told you today.”
“Thank you. You haven’t, actually. Since you came home last night, you haven’t said much at all.”
“I thought I’d said plenty,” I said, my voice low while I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Like be a good girl and come for me.”
“Oh my God, not here,” she said, jumping back and pushing against my chest. “Don’t get me all tingly in public.”
“Well, then maybe don’t say you’re tingly in public, baby,” I said as I stepped out of the car.
“So, where do you want to hit first? We could get something to eat, walk around, or…” I trailed off and pointed up to the sky.
“The Wonder Wheel? Did you not just hear me about rides?”
“You liked that one. Once Gary stopped moving. We could do a stationary car. Come on.” I dipped my head. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that. And it’s sunset, so it should be an awesome view.”
“I’m sure,” she said, letting go of a long breath. “You know what? Let’s do it. And not the stationary car. If you tell my brother that, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“I’d never tell Sergeant Funnel Cake anything.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Maybe we can make out at the top.”
“I forgot about the top,” she said, stilling next to me with her eyes wide. “No, fuck it. Let’s go.”
“I won’t force you, Stell.” I stepped in front of her. “I thought it would be fun, but this is up to you.”
“No, let’s do it. Like I said, as long as I’m with you.” She lifted her head and brushed her lips against my cheek.
I caught Stella cringe when they locked the rail on the orange car. She wrapped her fingers around it, her knuckles turning white as the car swayed back and forth.
“You okay?” I asked, rubbing her back.
“Sure,” she chirped a little too fast, sucking in a tense breath with her nostrils as the wheel turned, taking us up toward the sky.
I slid closer, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her tight.
“Hold my hand. I’m right here, Stell.”
She turned, her gaze softer as she nodded, and I entwined my fingers with hers as we inched up.
“This is a nice view.” She leaned over, taking a careful look over the edge.
“It sure is,” I said, my gaze fixed on her and not the horizon in the distance. Her hair blew in the warm breeze, enough sunlight to bring out her eyes. She was so beautiful it hurt.
She gave me a bashful smile when she caught my gaze.
“I remember this ride. Gary was relentless. He said I was a baby, remember?”
“I do. But you calmed down. That’s why I thought you enjoyed it.”
“I did. Somewhere toward the middle,” she said, relaxing a little as she leaned back. “You stretched your arm out behind me and would nudge my back if I tensed up. I knew you were there, so I was able to enjoy it.” She scrunched her nose. “At least a little.”
I laughed, dropping a kiss to her bare shoulder.
“It’s good to do things if you’re scared, right?” she asked, searching my face as we neared the top. “I mean, the best things in life are always a little terrifying, right?”
She let go of the railing and smoothed her hand down my face.
“Are you saying that I’m terrifying?” I asked, sputtering out a nervous laugh because I wasn’t sure where she was going with this.
“A little. I have a lot of big feelings for you. Big, wonderful feelings I’ve never had for anyone else, and it’s scary.”
I knew exactly what she’d meant. I’d been running scared for two months because of those same feelings. I’d had them before, and it had shocked me to my core that I could have them again.
“Well, how about when you get scared, tell me.” I drifted my thumb back and forth over her hip. “And I’ll give you a nudge.”
A smile broke out on her face while her eyes glossed over. My heart swelled in my chest, a heart I hadn’t expected to beat like this for anyone else.
“Is your offer to make out at the top still good?” Stella asked, framing my face.
“That offer is always good,” I whispered against her lips and captured her mouth in a slow, soft kiss. She let out a quiet whimper when I slanted my head, letting my tongue explore and tangle with hers as the kiss caught fire. My hand went to her hair as she clutched the back of my head.
I loved her.
And I needed to tell her.
But not yet.
Our lips broke apart when our car took a dip backward.
“Jesus,” she gasped, her hand flying to the railing.
“I think you’re the one who tipped the car this time. You can’t blame Gary.”
“I guess I did.” She covered her mouth, golden eyes dancing. “Lee, I…” She chewed on her lip and rested her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.” She took my hand back. “I may even like the Wonder Wheel now.” She peered up at me and cuddled closer. “But I think I’ll ride the rest of it like this.”
I laughed and kissed the top of her head.
I didn’t think that was what she’d wanted to say, but I wouldn’t press.
I let my gaze drift to the ocean and the twinkling lights around us and in the distance.
The big feelings scared us both, because I couldn’t picture the rest of my life without the woman in my arms.