Page 43 of Jaime
“Sorry we took a while,” I said, self-conscious despite the fact that she didn’t seem too bothered.
“Hm? You’re fine. You were only gone for...” She lifted her phone checked the time and paused. “Over three and a half hours. Okay.”
She gave me an amused look.
“I’m guessing you did more than dinner.”
I shrugged.
“Yeah, well...”
She smacked my arm, playfully.
“Ethan, you dog. No wonder the boys are always chasing you.”
I chuckled.
“Please shut up before Jaime hears you.”
She grinned and pulled on her jacket.
“So, it was good then?” she asked.
I nodded, biting my lip to stop from overspilling.
“So good. Ireallylike him. Hoping you do too...”
She gave me a warm smile.
“Hey, it’s your love life. My opinion doesn’t matter. But, if this is about my concerns from before...” She shrugged. “I trust your judgment and he does seem really sweet once you get past the moody exterior.”
I’d completely forgotten he came across that way at first.
“He's just shy,” I argued, lowering my voice. “Maybe a bit insecure too.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“I could see that. Anyway,” she said, kicking on her shoes, “say goodnight for me, okay? I’ll leave you guys to it. And also, Evie is a pretty chill baby. She’s mild-mannered and very sweet. He lucked out.”
“She is adorable, isn’t she?”
“A hundred percent. You’ll make good co-parents.”
“Hey,” I said, smacking her.
She laughed, gave me a wink, and wished me goodnight.
I knew it was only meant to be a teasing joke, but the idea of it, of being Evie's dad, sharing my home and my life with both her and Jaime, made me feelexcitement.
Speaking of Jaime…
I kicked off my shoes and hung my coat on the hook before going to the bedroom.
Jaime was standing over the crib, watching Evie. The light from the hallway was enough to see the soft look on his face.
When I stepped up next to him, he immediately leaned against me.
I put an arm around his shoulder, holding him.
