Page 26 of Prove Me Wrong
Exhaling, I turn to heat up her bottle before remembering that I have her number saved in my phone. It might be wrong, but I don’t want her to go just yet. Slipping my phone out of my pocket, I shoot her a text.
ME: Jade misses you already,I think.
I push it back into the pocket of my trackpants when Jade’s milk beeps in the microwave. Handing it to her, Jade happily sips on it when my phone vibrates.
GREY: Tell her I miss her, too.
Grinning, I type out another text.
ME: I bet she’s excited to spend the day with you again tomorrow. You should have seen, she wouldn’t stop talking about you last night.
Grinning at my tease, I slip the device back into my pocket and join Nate on the couch. My best friend tears his eyes off the TV to stare at me.
“What?”
“My beer?” he questions, and my mouth rolls. “Sorry, I forgot. Hold Jade, and I’ll get it.”
I place my daughter on his lap and go back into the kitchen. My phone vibrates again.
GREY: I am, too. I think she’s becoming my favourite human.
Smiling, I pull out two beers and pop off the lids. Turning, I catch sight of Mia once more. She’s sipping on her mug and leaning against the bench casually, her eyes focused on her phone in her hand.
ME: Jade’s the best (not biased at all here).
I watch her cheeks widen. She bites her bottom lip and types out a response.
GREY: Not at all, 34. I might just steal her from you ifyou aren’t careful.
My eyes lift to meet hers again, and my pulse beats heavily through my whole body. I want to know so much more about her, but I also fear I might scare her off if I move too quickly. I don’t want to frighten her, nor make her more nervous than I seem to already.
A smile pulls on her pale lips before dropping instantly. Mia turns and yells something, rushing out of the room again.
My throat works as I hear Nathan grumbling something and Jade giggling, pulling me back from my thoughts.
“Noah, are you okay in there? The game is almost done.” Nathan’s voice yanks me away from the now-empty window.
“Yeah, coming,” I murmur and walk out of the room, immediately missing that small connection I made with Mia. Seeing her face light up from my texts made my blood heat in a way I haven’t felt in years. I miss that feeling.
Chapter Ten
NOAH
Mum always told me I was a confident kid growing up. That I’d be able to make friends with anyone. I was overly talkative, loved to joke about, and was always the cool, suave teen that people flocked to. I’ve always been easy to talk with and approachable.
But right now, I don’t know where that nonchalant, self-assured guy has gone. He’s been replaced with a man who is worried about having a meal with his new attractive neighbour, who also happens to be his daughter’s new babysitter.
Is this a good idea?No clue.
All I know is that I haven’t been this nervous to come home in a very long time.
Nerves jolt through me like static electricity, crackling beneath my skin as I hold the cold metal house key in my hand. I really shouldn’t be this nervous,but I am.Unlocking my front door, I toe off my boots as the warm, salty smell of dinner greets me. Along with Jade’s heartwarming giggles.
I find Jade sitting in her highchair in the kitchen, banging the plastic tray with her hands. Mia stands at the bench with her back to me. My gaze sweeps over her black leggings and oversized tee that flows down pasther waist, dark brunette hair pulled up into a ponytail with a black bow. I smile at how Grey makes an effortless outfit look put together and pretty.
Eyes trailing down her lean arms, I spot the tattoo on the back of her bicep. ‘Don’t stop fighting’ is written in tiny black ink; I can make it out from the other side of the room. I push down the small lump in my throat, shaking off the multitude of questions flooding my mind, before walking over to Jade, giving her a little tickle. She giggles, and cloudy eyes look over her shoulder, watching us with a faint smile.
“Hi, princess,” I murmur, and kiss Jade’s smooth forehead. “How was your day?”
