Page 21 of Summer Heat
"I thought we could get started on Maya's bathroom this weekend. Then I can show you what I'm thinking for the design."
"Let's do it," he said, and I was surprised not to get any pushback. But he'd accepted my project plans for a while now without complaint. Maybe it was because I didn't make it a big deal. I organized his projects for him, ensuring that everything was ordered and timely and they were on track to finish.
He didn't like to be babysat, but he'd accepted my silent show of help.
"If we're working hard this weekend, we should play tonight. What should we do?"
"There's a festival at the church that Maya wanted to go to. They're going to have crafts and other things for kids to do."
"Let's do it."
I faltered, not expecting him to want to do anything with us. "You want to go with us?"
His brow furrowed. "That was an open invitation, wasn't it?"
"I didn't think you'd want to go to a festival."
"Are you kidding? Maya's my ticket into this place. They don't let you in without a kid." He put an arm around Maya, and she rolled her eyes.
Shep winked at me.
"We're going to eat and then head over."
He rubbed his hands together. "What's for dinner?"
"I made fajitas. They're easy, and everyone enjoys them."
"You got that right. I'll jump in the shower and help you in a sec." He started for the stairs. "Now if only I can find that duck with a tux. What could have happened to him?"
Maya giggled, covering her mouth as he walked out.
I laughed, happier than I'd been in a long time. It was nice living here with Shep. I think he enjoyed our presence. He didn't get annoyed with Maya. In fact, he seemed to love the way she took up every inch of his house now that we'd moved in.
Her toys and books were strewn about no matter how many times I told her to put her things away and reminded her that this wasn't her home.
She'd shrug and say Shep didn't mind, and it seemed that he didn't. Still, I waited for the moment that we became too much for him. Surely, he'd want to get back to his bachelor life sooner rather than later.
I finished cooking the chicken and peppers, transferring them to a serving dish. Then I gathered the toppings: shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream, avocado, and salsa. Once everything was ready, I set it on the table so it would be easy for everyone to get what they needed. While I waited for Shep, I warmed the tortillas on the stove.
Shep finally appeared with a fresh T-shirt and jeans, his hair deliciously damp from the shower. He smelled so good. It was becoming harder to take a shower in his space and not touch myself to the vision of him joining me.
I was positive he didn't think of me that way. I was just a single mother he was helping out. He didn't want anyone with the baggage I had, essentially a five-year-old daughter.
"Where's my fajita?"
Before I could respond, he'd lifted Maya into his arms, pretending to gobble her up. She wiggled and giggled, struggling to get away from his mouth.
I stopped what I was doing, entranced by how he engaged with my daughter. My heart squeezed because this was how I imagined Derek interacting with her. I had no way of knowing, but I'd never seen him tease her or be affectionate.
Maya held up her hands and said, "I'm not a fajita."
"You're not?" Shep paused. "But you're so tasty."
"I'm not tasty! I'm not food!" Maya exclaimed and then pointed. "Your fajita's on the table."
He let her drop down to the floor. "Well, why didn't you say so?"
"You didn't give us time to respond," I said with affection in my voice. I loved the way he treated her, as if she was someone he enjoyed being around.
