Page 75 of Falling for Red
“All set.”
Gabby and I walk hand in hand to his front door, where he stands in jeans and a T-shirt.So casual, I want to tease.
“Gabby, this is Jake.”
“How many fires have you put out?” she asks.
He chuckles, shrugging. “Not that many. I spend more time helping people each day. Come in. I have surprises for both of you.”
I tilt my head. He did not need to get us anything. We take our shoes off and follow him into the living room. I immediately spot a large, wicker basket filled with toys. That wasn’t here the last time I was here.
“Here’s where I keep my toys,” he says, gesturing to the basket. “You can play with them whenever you’re here.” Then he hands Gabby a book. “Para ti.”For you.
“¿Hablas Español?” Gabby asks, tilting her head.
“Si.”
“¿Puedes leerme este libro en Español?” Can you read the book in Spanish?she skeptically asks. I internally laugh, seeing myself in her right now. Maybe my cynicism isn’t the best trait for her to be picking up. But I am curious to know more about Jake’s fluency.
“Puedo leer el libro en Español.”I can read the book in Spanish.
“Leéme el libro en Español.”Read me the book in Spanish.
I nudge her. “Por favor.”Please.
“No question she’s your daughter.” Jake chuckles, taking a seat on the carpet. Gabby follows, taking a seat next to him and handing him the book. He easily reads the first couple of pages of the children’s book, and I sit on the recliner watching them.It’s a story about bravery, and I close my eyes, fighting back tears, happy ones.
He finishes the book and looks over at me. Now I’m crying. I wipe my face, and he steps toward me, pulling me in for a hug. “Jake,” I breathe.
“Too much?”
“No.” I take a deep breath, then playfully poke him. “How do you know Spanish?”
“The department paid for a year’s worth of classes, and I kept taking them.” Jake wraps his arm around my shoulder, squeezing me into him. I look over at Gabby, who has made herself at home, examining the toys Jake has.
Jake releases me, then steps toward the kitchen. After grabbing a few things from the fridge, he says, “Alright ladies, tonight we’re having chicken tenders and steamed vegetables.”
“What about the cookies?” Gabby asks as I make my way toward the kitchen, and I laugh softly to myself.
“Of course,” Jake says, taking them out of a cabinet. “I couldn’t forget about those.”
“What can I help with?” I ask, now at his side.
“Nothing.”
I raise my brow, and he steals a quick handful of my ass. “I want to take care of you two.”
I know he’s serious, more serious than anyone else will ever be. I give in to the fact that he is never going to treat me like they did. He is not them. He is the one.
I grab for his hand, and he interlaces his fingers with mine, causing me to draw in a deep breath. “I’m ready to be your girlfriend if the offer is still on the table.”
“It’s on the table.” He leans down, kissing me so sweetly. “I love you, girlfriend.”
Staring into his eyes, I say what I’m thinking, “I love you, Jake.”
52
One month later
