Chapter Seventeen
JAKE
N atalia sat on my basement gym floor, laughing her head off. She constantly surprised me with how funny she was and how open she could be with me. If only I could help her get that way with other people.
Things obviously hadn’t gone according to plan this morning. I hadn’t meant to cause her more stress or for her to fall off the treadmill like she had. I was just beginning to enjoy the feeling of her lying on top of me when she shifted and kneed me between the legs. Served me right, I guess, for the thoughts I was having about her. Yeah, there were definitely other more enjoyable ways to get the endorphins flowing, but I wouldn’t be doing any of those things with Natalia Kerr. It didn’t stop me from thinking about it, though, and I felt guilty about that.
“Maybe working out isn’t such a good idea,” she said as her laughter finally tapered off.
“Don’t let one fall stop you from getting back up and trying again.” I hoped she wouldn’t miss my double meaning.
She stood and brushed herself off. “Maybe I could try the bike for a while. That seems a little safer.”
I laughed. “With you, I’m not so sure about that.”
She smirked and climbed on, and after I showed her how to get started with the timer set, she took off.
I returned to the weights but quickly realized I needed to abandon that because all I could see from my weight bench was Natalia’s perfect backside as she pedaled.
Nope! My turn on the treadmill, which was opposite the bike.
I started at a brisk pace but quickly sped up to a run. I needed to work off these feelings, this attraction. Bringing her into this space was a huge mistake. It was normally my sanctuary. Kate never even hung out in here. And I knew the memory of Natalia in this room would linger.
When we’d finished, I tossed her a towel.
“Thanks.” She dabbed the sweat off of her face and neck, and all I could think about was that her body had been slick with sweat when she fell on me earlier.
“How about you come down here on Friday afternoon before the party and get the endorphins going on your own,” I said.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“But no treadmill when I’m not around.”
She chuckled. “Got it, Coach.”
I grabbed a towel and wiped my face before pulling my shirt off and wiping myself down .
When I looked over at her, her eyes were fixed on my chest, her lips slightly parted. As soon as she realized I’d seen her watching, she turned away and wiped her face with the towel.
I should’ve kept a shirt on around her, but by the look on her face, she didn’t seem to mind. That didn’t hurt my ego one bit, but it didn’t help me get over whatever this attraction was, either. Because I liked the way she’d been looking at me. It had been a long time since I felt like someone liked what they saw. And she clearly did. And I liked looking at her too, but I shouldn’t. I couldn’t. I needed to stick to the plan.
When I arrived home from work, the girls were helping Natalia in the kitchen. Even Piper was up to the counter, messily stirring frosting in a bowl.
“Hello, ladies. Sorry I’m late,” I said when I walked in. “What’s going on here?”
“We’re making Christmas cookies,” Ava announced.
I kissed each of them on the top of the head and went to drop my things in my office. When I returned, Natalia came up beside me, leaned close, and spoke quietly in my ear.
“I stopped by the dance studio today. I brought home the price list for you, and they said Nora can start on Monday.”
The way she was speaking to me felt so intimate. Her soft breath against my ear sent pleasant shivers up my spine, and I struggled to focus on the rest of the information she gave me .
“I thought you’d like to be the one to tell her,” she said as she finally put some distance between us.
“I would. Thanks.”
Natalia went to the fridge and grabbed me a bottle of water. “I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Do you want me to heat some up for you?”
“I can do it. You girls finish the cookies.”
I heated some food and watched my girls listening intently and following Natalia’s instructions. Even Nora. Soon, the kitchen smelled delicious, and my mouth was watering for the sugar cookies in the oven. They took one batch out and put another in, and once the cookies had cooled, she let the girls help decorate them with frosting and colorful sprinkles.
I spotted Piper eating the sprinkles and snatched her up. “You’re supposed to put them on the cookies, not in your mouth.” I pressed my lips to her cheek and gave her a zerbert, which made her giggle.
“Cookie!” she cried.
“You can each have one before bed,” I told them.
“I want this one.” Ava held up one she’d decorated with pink frosting and pink sprinkles.
“Mine are too pretty to eat.” Nora set hers just so on the counter and admired the stocking and Christmas tree-shaped cookies she had decorated.
“Very nice, Nora,” Natalia said. “You can eat one of mine if you want.”
Nora studied Natalia’s cookies. “Can I have that one?” She pointed to one in the shape of a star with yellow frosting and red sprinkles.
“Sure. I think I’ll eat a star too.” She lifted a star cookie and held it up in the air toward Nora. Nora did the same, and Natalia tapped hers against Nora’s before they ate their cookies. It was adorable and the first time I’d seen Nora smile like that at Natalia.
When they had finished, I asked Ava and Piper to go play for a little bit before bed. I didn’t have to tell them twice.
As Nora got up to go, I said, “Hey, Nora, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure, Daddy.” She followed me into the living room, and we sat on the couch together.
“How would you like to take dance classes starting next week?”
Her eyes widened, and her face lit up as bright as the Christmas tree. “Are you being for real?”
I laughed. “Yes, I’m being for real.”
“When? How? Do I get to be in Maleah’s class?”
“That’s a lot of questions.” I grinned. “We have to figure out the details, but you can start on Monday. I think it’s the hip-hop class.”
“That’s Maleah’s class!” She was bubbling with excitement.
“Tally said the classes are Monday and Wednesday.”
“Tally? Did she sign me up?”
“Yes, she did. She’ll be taking you to the classes.”
Nora grew quiet for a few long moments. “Tally’s kind of nice.”
I touched her chin to get her to look at me. “I told you she was.”
Her chin quivered a little bit. “I haven’t been very nice to her, though.”
“What do you think you should do about that?” I asked.
“Apologize?” She framed it as a question, but I could tell she knew that was the right answer .
I hugged her to my side. “That’s my girl.”
Nora stood and slowly headed for the kitchen, and I followed a little ways behind, giving her space.
“Tally?” she said softly.
Natalia looked over her shoulder from where she was washing the baking paraphernalia.
“I’m sorry.” Nora had tears in her eyes.
“Oh, Nora.” Natalia quickly dried her hands and crossed the kitchen to her. “Sorry for what?”
“For being so mean to you when you first got here.” She sniffled.
Natalia bent down to her level and brushed away her tears. “Hey, it’s all right. We’re past all that, and we’re friends now, right?”
Nora nodded, and Natalia pulled her into a hug.
My heart ached at the sight.
“Thank you for getting me dance classes,” she said when Natalia let go.
“You’re welcome. You’re going to have so much fun.”
“I know. I can’t wait.” Nora rambled on and on about telling Maleah and how excited she was to learn the dances and get to dress up for the next dance recital. I stood in the doorway, listening, so happy to witness my daughter’s joy. It had been a long time since I’d seen her smile that big.
I was overcome with gratefulness to Natalia for making it happen. I didn’t know why I’d put off getting a nanny for so long. Hiring Natalia was the best decision I’d made in months.