Page 130 of A Little Crush
“Not gonna say it back?” I tease.
But instead of joining in, instead of laughing it off or making light of my admission, her lips bunch on one side, and her eyes well with tears.
“Hey.” I grip both sides of her face, dragging my fingers along her cheeks. “Hey, don’t cry, Beautiful. Don’t cry.”
“It’s just…you love me.”
“You know I do.”
“I know, but…but I never thought you’d say it.”
“I love you.” I kiss her cheek. “I love you.” My mouth brushes against her opposite cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Her bottom lip wobbles all over again, so I kiss her there, as well, and she dips her head, a pathetic, yet adorably Rory-esque laugh spilling out of her.
And damn, if they aren’t the sweetest four words I’ve ever heard.
45
RORY
Propping my feet on Jaxon’s coffee table, I pop another piece of popcorn into my mouth as Jaxon excuses himself to the bathroom. He has the next two days off, and we’re planning to take full advantage. Don’t get me wrong. I love traveling with the team and going to games, but when he has downtime, it’s like I get to play house and see how I fit in his daily routine. So far? It’s been pretty close to perfect. Add in that I finally get to see Poppy again, and I’m on cloud nine.
Seriously, sharing a child sucks, and she isn’t even mine, so when Iris texted Jaxon earlier today, asking if she could swing by and drop Poppy off earlier than normal, we popped popcorn and binge-watched a few episodes ofGilmore Girlsto help pass the time quicker. That’s how excited we both are to see the little nugget.
When a buzz from the elevator sounds a minute later, I jump to my feet, practically skipping toward the panel and accepting the request for someone to enter Jaxon’s floor so I can see my little Pops. Seconds later, the doors glide open,and I find Iris with Poppy tucked in her car seat and out like a light.
“Hey, here’s—oh.” Iris jerks back. “What are you doing here?”
Like a fish, my mouth gapes open as I take in her skin-tight, blood-red dress and the full display of cleavage. Seriously. The woman’s breasts are the size of watermelons, and I’ve never been more jealous of anyone in my entire life. But also, why the hell are those things out? Does she have a date or something? And with who, since Chris just broke up with her. It’s been a few days since the random phone call I eavesdropped on in Jaxon’s office, but even then…wait.
Is she dressed like this for him? For Jax?
Something curdles in my stomach, and I fight the urge to vomit all over her six-inch heels. This is why she came over early. Why she asked if Jaxon was busy on his night off. She’s trying to seduce him. And here I am. The other woman—and wet blanket—she has no idea exists.
“Did you hear what I said?” Iris demands.
My eye twitches as I attempt to focus on what she’s saying instead of how awkward this exchange really is. Forcing my eyes to her face instead of her boobs, I say, “I’m sorry, what?”
“I said, what are you doing here?” She says the words slowly, like she’s talking to an idiot.
Then again, considering how I’m acting, maybe I am one?
I shake off the thought and clear my throat. “I, uh, I’m here to watch Poppy?”
Hades growls at my side, and I wave him off, trying not to hyperventilate or pass out from full-blown shame. “Hades, go lie down.”
Nose wrinkled in disgust, Iris stares at my dog like she just tasted something sour. “Where’s Jaxon?”
Hooking my thumb toward the bathroom, I start, “He’s?—”
“Hey, Iris,” Jaxon jogs from the hallway. “Sorry, I was in the bathroom. Where’s my Pops?” When he reaches us, he lowers his voice to a whisper, realizing Poppy’s still asleep in the car seat. “Here, I got her.”
Iris passes her off, her expression as harsh as before he arrived. “What’s she doing in your house?”
Jaxon’s eyes slide to me, and I have no doubt his confused expression matches my own. “Rory?”
“No, the mailman.” She scoffs. “Yes, I mean Rory. What. Is. She. Doing. Here?”
