Page 38 of Husband of the Year
“I will.”
Illona wraps her arms around my waist and I lift her, doing my best to hold and hug her the way her father does. She kisses my cheek and asks, “Are you sure you don’t want me to come help with Maria?”
I dip my chin and take her beautiful face in.
“You are the sweetest child in the world, do you know that? But no, I’ll be okay. You have fun with your mom. We’ll take her another time when you’re with me, I promise.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll see you Monday morning. Have fun.”
I plant a soft kiss on her cheek, then switch to the other side, playfully teasing, “That one’s from your dad.”
Marvin: Heading to Jill’s to babysit. Hope you’re doing okay.
Olan: How lovely! Maria snuggles. I’m jealous.
Marvin: Of Maria or me?
Olan: Both?
Marvin: I miss you please.
Olan: I miss you too. We’ll talk this weekend.
“Marvin Block. I could kiss you.”
Nick Evans stands in the doorway wearing a blue button-down and khakis. I’ve never seen him so dressed up. Nick is more of a sweatshirt and jeans guy. He looks so damn handsome. Tall. Hunky. The exact type of guy I’d have a crush on if I crushed on straight men. Thankfully, I learned that was fruitless in high school.
Jill and Nick live off the peninsula, in an area of Portland that resembles more of one of the outlying towns, but still requires them to pay city taxes. Jill refuses to leave the city—higher tax rates be damned. And here they have a yard, sidewalks, and all the family-friendly features of the suburbs.
“Actually, your wife promised me two. One on each cheek.” I point to my right cheek, giving Nick a target to start with.
“Wait, which cheeks? Because honestly, for a night out alone with my wife, I’d kiss all four.” Nick guffaws and his deep voice echoes in the entryway.
“See? I told you.” Jill appears in the doorway. “Drop trou and bend over. He’ll totally do it.”
Heat flushes my face at the thought of Nick’s lips on my ass and when I don’t reply, Jill shouts, “Come in, already. You’re letting the heat out. Nick can kiss every inch of your body inside.”
A quick rush of blood shudders through me because—straight, married or not—Nick is a total dreamboat and the mere thought of his lips coursing over me sends my nervous system into a tizzy. One week without Olan and I’m getting flushed thinking about a peck from my best friend’s husband. Oy.
“Seriously, though,” Nick says, taking my coat from me, “you’re a lifesaver. We haven’t found a new sitter since Julia went to college and I fear your work wife might implode if she doesn’t get a night out.”
“I told you, you could stay home with Maria, and I’d go out on my own. Or with Marvin. He’d take me for karaoke. Unlike you, he’d sing ‘Grease’ with me.”
“As your gay best friend, it’s my civic duty,” I say with a salute.
Jill’s at the highchair in the kitchen, wiping Maria’s sweet face. They’ve put her in the cutest fleece pajamas with little rainbows all over them.
Jill’s wearing a dress. Unlike her school ensembles that resemble jumpers, this one is a true dress. The neckline is low, and she’s showing some cleavage—something she never does at school.
“You look beautiful,” I say. “Wow.”
“Thank you.” She gives me a peck on the cheek. “This took almost an hour. Nick throws on a shirt and pants that don’t have holes in them and voilà, he’s ready for a modeling gig.”
“Beauty and the Beef.” Nick laughs at his own joke, while Jill rolls her eyes.
The kitchen and living room occupy the entire first floor open space, allowing them to monitor Maria while they’re working or cooking.
“Daddy needs a night out too,” Nick says, kissing my cheek.
