Page 62 of Exposed

“Cut it out,” Matt said. “You’re not seeing Brooklyn naked.”

“I won’t look that much,” Nigel said.

This was too weird. “I’m actually going to give the two of you a moment. It’s Jacob’s bedtime.”

“Noooo,” Jacob said. “I want to play in the bath too.”

“You like baths, Mr. Jacob?” Nigel asked.

“Yessie.”

“Oh. I presumed you were too uncouth for such luxuries.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Jacob said.

“That’s kind of my point. But alas, a fellow bath lover is a friend of mine. I guess I will stop glaring at you.”

“Okay,” Jacob said.

“Good.” Nigel turned to me. “Can I stay now? Since I’m friends with you and the little one? I believe there is a Monday night game on. Master Matthew and I usually watch them together. I’ll make the snacks.” He hurried out of the room.

I turned to Matt. “Um…”

“I’ll handle it. I watched the game with him one time. What the heck?” He followed Nigel out of the bathroom.

“Do you not like Nigel?” I asked Jacob.

He yawned. “I think he’s funny, Mommy.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“And he makes really yummy snacks. Can I watch the game too?”

It was way past his bedtime. But I was terrible at saying no to him. Besides, he’d probably just fall asleep in a few minutes snuggled up on the couch. “Sounds good.”

“Can Coach come for breakfast again? I like his doughnuts.”

I think those were actually Nigel’s doughnuts.But I couldn’t hide my smile. “You like him too?”

Jacob nodded. “He plays football with me. And jumps in leaves. And has hot chocolate. And he makes you smile like Daddy.”

Oh, sweet boy.I peppered his face in kisses and sent him into a fit of giggles.

“Maybe he can move in next door with Mr. Nigel?” Jacob asked. “And then they can visit whenever they want. Abuelo too.”

I laughed. Honestly that didn’t sound that bad to me.

Chapter 23

Tuesday

Matt

I stared at Brooklyn’s face as she slept. The light streaming in through the window made her look almost ethereal. I was almost scared to move. Like she’d suddenly disappear again.

But it was morning, and Jacob would probably come running in here. I needed to get going. I’d wait until whenever Brooklyn was ready to tell him about us. It already seemed like a big step that she’d let me up here last night. We were moving forward. Just like we agreed. And I already had another delivery of two dozen bouquets set to arrive today. That would put us at almost seven weeks as far as I was concerned.

I reached out and ran my fingers through her hair. “Brooklyn?”

---