Page 5 of Jaime
“So, does Evie watch my show?” I asked.
The smile dropped off his face, replaced with embarrassment.
“It feels weird watching adult stuff with her there,” he said. “I just keep kid’s shows on.”
There was no need to explain, but Evie definitely wasn’t the one watching my show. He had brought her here because, for whatever reason, he had wanted to see me. That much was clear.
“That makes sense,” I said though, and he looked up at me then, facing me properly. God, he was attractive... and the way he was looking at me… If he didn’t stop, it was going to go straight to my head. “I got Evie’s name, but what is yours?”
“Uh—Jaime.”
He offered a hand. I had to shift Evie around before I could give him mine. His hand was warm and strong when our palms met.
“Nice to meet you Jaime, I’m Ethan.”
He gaped.
“Oh. Right. Ethan.”
He seemed shocked that I had a regular name. To be honest, even I was surprised that I had given it. At events like these, I was Mr. McIntosh. I didn’t want to ruin the illusion for the children. Realizing what I had done, I glanced around. No one was standing close enough to hear us. There were still some kids running around and others were standing around and talking, but the crowd had thinned considerably. I was touched to see that the display of Rowdy the Frog books had been nearly emptied. A few kids sat on the floor in front of it, rereading the story.
Naomi was standing by my chair at the other end. As soon as our eyes met, she waved me over.
My heart felt full at the same time that a deep, anxious feeling swept through me. I wasn’t ready to walk away. The idea of giving Evie back to Jaime made my heart start racing.
With a slow, steady breath, I handed her over.
Jaime took her carefully, cradling her like she was made of glass.
“Do you need a carrier?” I asked. “I have one you can take.”
The words just popped out of my mouth. It was an utter lie and completely crossed a line. I didn’t know these people. It wasn’t my job to get involved, but when Jaime nodded hesitantly, relief filled me.
“I don’t have one,” he said. “But it’s fine—”
“No, really, I have no need for it. Can I give it to you?”
He swallowed and nodded.
“Um. Yeah. Okay.”
Naomi was suddenly at my side.
“Hey, Mr. McIntosh, we have to clear out now. I think Nash wants his bookstore back.”
I followed her gaze, seeing the owner coming toward us with a smile and thumbs up.
I grinned, waved, and turned hastily back to Jaime, eager to get his number before we were interrupted.
I fished my phone out of my pocket and handed it to him.
“Call your number?”
He took it, his face swiftly turning pink as he dialed, just as Nash reached us.
“Looks like another bestseller,” he said clapping me on the shoulder.
I shook my head.
