Page 25 of Milo
“Oh, heavens no. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.” He belts out the worst soundingJingle BellsI’ve heard in my entire life, but I join in. It’s too fun not too.
We’re home entirely too soon and I can’t stop yawning. When we stand at my door, his gaze drops to my lips again. I can’t help it. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I don’t think I’m ready yet. He must sense it because he brushes his thumb so gently over my cheek.
“Good night, sweet Milo.”
I’m not ready to let him go and crush him in a hug. “Thank you, Clay. For an amazing evening. Again.”
“My pleasure.” I don’t mind the kiss to the top of my head. It’s so soft and endearing.
“Good night, Clay.” Again I watch him walk back to his door and wait until he’s inside before entering my apartment. I don’t even know what to do now. I’m tired and wired at the same time. I do know I need to be rested for the next several days. Tomorrow’s Friday, then the weekend ramps up the holiday shopping. Not to mention Sunday we have Santa, then Monday is the mixer. If I don’t get even a few hours of sleep, I’ll be grumpy and then I don’t deserve the fun times I’ve had with Clay or Daddy Clay.
Instead of overthinking everything, I take myself to bed and promptly pass out.
Chapter 10
Clay
Friday and Saturday,I only got to see Milo in passing and I don’t think I like it. We’d both been too busy, but we both texted each other good morning and good night.
“Do I look Christmassy?” Emily asks as she jumps on the couch. She’s in a red dress with a decorated tree on the front. Her hair is done up in pigtails with the most perfect banana curls. She’s got on white pantyhose that have a candy cane print, and her white Mary Jane shoes have a slight heel to them.
My sister gasps from the kitchen. “Emily Elizabeth, get down from the couch with your shoes on!”
I grab Emily by the waist and help her down. “You look very Christmassy. Do I?”
She scrunches her little nose as she walks around me. I have a nice red button up dress shirt on to match her dress. Callie told me what Emily would be wearing and I wanted to match. Emily shakes her head. “Not enough glitter.”
“Can you help me out?”
“Yes!” She races to her room.
Callie wipes her hands on a dishtowel and throws it over her shoulder. “You’re going to let her walkallllllover you, aren’t you?”
“Oh yeah, I’m spoiling my little flower blossom today.”
Callie snorts. “I don’t mind it as long as you don’t bring her back all hyped up. Otherwise?—”
“I totally get it. I promise to bring back a tired child.”
“Good. Good.” She nods and disappears back into the kitchen as soon as Emily races out of her room.
“Found it!” She holds up a bottle of cosmetic-grade glitter gel just like Milo had. “Sit on the couch.” I follow her directions and she crawls right into my lap. I have to protect the jewels from her shoes when she attempts to stand.
“Do not stand on the couch with your shoes on, young lady,” Callie says.
I hold Emily by the waist as she stands on my thighs. Not exactly the most comfortable feeling in the world, but it’s fine. Anything for my sweet flower blossom. She scrunches her face as she examines mine. I hold the bottle of gel while she thinks. And thinks. Then she dips her fingers into the pot and rubs a huge glob on my cheek, and smears it across my nose to the other. It’s a lot more than Milo dolled me up with before our date and the feeling is a little too slimy for my taste, but I tolerate it for Emily. She dabs at my forehead and chin, then runs her tiny fingers through my hair.
“Perfect! All glittery like me.”
“Alrighty. Ready to go meet Santa?”
She just squeals. I chuckle and Callie shakes her head.
I already installed the spare child seat in my truck, but I hate the thought of her being in the back. But safety first and she’s way too small to sit up front with me.
“You okay back there?”
“Yep!” She’s got a Barbie with her and happily chatters away to her.
