Page 98 of One Good Puck
I smile at Emma sleeping soundly on the couch. “Chicken soup and Gatorade were the only things that Sophie could keep down whenever she had a stomach bug as a little kid. Glad that they worked for Emma too.”
“You’re so thoughtful,” she says, her voice quiet. “I’m not used to having so much help.”
“I’m not helping all that much. You’re the one sitting with her and checking on her in the middle of the night.”
She tilts her head at me. “Gavin. You’re absolutely helping me. You took care of the laundryandyou fed my sick kidandyou fed me. That’s made things so much easier on me.”
“I wish I could have done more honestly, I’ve just been so busy with work.”
“You’ve done so much. Seriously.”
I smile at her, and then remember the gift I got for her. Nerves fire off inside of me. I hope she doesn’t think this is weird.
I dig the small envelope out of my suit jacket pocket and reach over to hand it to her.
“What’s this?” she asks.
“Just something I thought you might like.”
When she opens the envelope and skims the gift certificate, her eyes go wide. “You got me a spa day?”
When I see the massive grin on her face, I’m relieved.
“This is the most luxurious spa in Denver,” she says, still looking at the gift card.
I run a hand through my hair. “Sophie and Bella have been there, and they both really liked it. I, uh, thought you might like to go too. You’ve been going nonstop these past few days, taking care of Emma. You deserve to relax and take some time for yourself,” I say. “And hey, I’d be happy to babysit her whenever you want to go for your spa day. That way, you don’t have to worry about childcare.”
A tender look flashes in her eyes. She opens her mouth to speak, but then quickly closes it. She shakes her head like she’s overwhelmed. Then she looks at me.
“No one’s ever gotten me a gift like this. This is so thoughtful, Gavin. Thank you.”
My chest aches hearing her say that. She’s an incredible mom and teacher. I see every day just how hard she works and how she takes care of her daughter—the sacrifices she’s made as a single parent to give her daughter a good life. She deserves to be spoiled every single day.
“It’s my pleasure,” I say softly.
For a moment, we just look at each other. She smiles softly, then glances down at Emma. “I’m going to carry her to her bed, and then I’m making you girl dinner.”
I chuckle. “Okay.”
She joins me in the kitchen a few minutes later. She grabs everything to make a grilled cheese while I grab a bottle of white wine from the fridge.
“Feel like a glass?” I ask.
She smiles and nods. Ten minutes later, we’re sharing a grilled cheese and a small charcuterie board while standing at the kitchen island.
She plays with the end of her ponytail, her eyes shy as she looks at me. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”
I can’t help but smile. “Yeah?”
She steps closer to me. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you ever since the other night. And morning.”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you either.”
She sets down her wine glass and comes up to me. She’s so close I can feel the heat from her body skimming over mine.
And then she looks up at me, a hungry look in her eyes, and says, “I want you, Gavin.”
Chapter 38
