“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just never been in that type of relationship with anyone. It takes time for me to work up to that.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. He wasn’t the type to easily open up. I was quickly learning that Jack Hennicke was a hard, confident man on the outside and a big pile of emotion and empathy, with the insatiable need tohelpon the inside. Submitting to his stance, I bit my lip and nodded.
“So, tell me about these girls. And tell me how to act around children, because I don’t think I’ve spoken to a kid in five years.” I nearly smiled at his joke, but the look on his face told me he was serious.
“Well, they are two adorable little riders. Josie, the older one, is seven, and Kellie is six. They both want to learn to play polo and aspire to play it on a unicorn one day. They are good listeners in the arena, so tonight shouldn’t be terribly challenging.” The thought of taking care of little kids with Jack made me anxious and excited. Playing off my nerves was the best move I could make.
“You say that, but you never know what kind of terrors they can be once the parents leave. I know I was a devil child. My parents had to pay double to our babysitters, especially if it was a girl.”
A grin began to spread on my face. “Why’s that?”
“‘Cause I would make her uncomfortable. A little kid flirting with you the whole time you babysit is probably not the most enjoyable situation.”
I met his eyes for a moment and burst out laughing. He joined me. “Seriously? You flirted with your babysitter theentirenight?”
Jack just nodded, still snickering.
“That’s hilarious, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You are Jack Hennicke, after all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His smile persisted, but he lowered his eyebrows.
“I don’t know, I mean, you’ve just got the ultimate ladies’ man title.” Nerves took over my body as Jack removed his hand from mine to rub the back of his neck.
Shit.I was getting too comfortable. I was saying the wrong things.
“I really don’t want to be that guy anymore, Mags. I want this baby to change me.” Sincerity and concern enveloped him.
“Ithaschanged you. In more ways than you think.” While it had only been a few months, it felt like Jack had grown up a lot since we left Pennsylvania. He had his priorities straight. He acted like a husband. He acted like someone who was going to excel at fatherhood. Or maybe this was who he was all along, and I never looked close enough to notice. He was so caring, so gentle, and kind. I knew in my heart that he would do anything for our little family. “I hope you see yourself the way I do, one day. You’re going to be a wonderful father to our baby, you know that?”
“I surely fuckin’ hope so.”
Chapter twenty-one
Jack
Maggie’s comment in the truck rattled me. I was going to be a father soon. The playboy, ladies’ man version of me was long gone, and I wasn’t so sure I missed it. Chaste, settled, and married were the words that would describe me now, and I needed to prove that as much as my fake marriage.
This baby was more life-changing for me than Maggie realized. While I basked in my carefree and irresponsible lifestyle throughout high school and college, I didn’t realize I was drowning. Drowning in loneliness and isolation and anxiety that wouldn’t subside the least bit until I became closer to Maggie. Her company was a breath of fresh air compared to the people I used to surround myself with. She didn’t fawn over me because of my profession or my family. She wasn’t afraid to call me on my bullshit. Wasn’t afraid to piss me off. Every moment spent with her felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be, and that scared the absolute hell out of me.
I could worship her in silence for now. Use that time to prove that I would fight for her and our family no matter what.
I was wracked with nerves as Maggie knocked on the door. The family lived in a beautiful suburban house with white shutters and blooming flowers in the front yard. An SUV was parked in the driveway, and a swing hung from a large oak tree in the front yard.
This is it.
This is what your future is going to look like.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
The door opened, revealing a tall, blonde woman with a huge smile. Two dogs barked from not far behind her as she quickly motioned us into the house. “Hello! Welcome to our home. Sorry about the dogs. We have two Airedales with more energy than our girls.” Maggie laughed as one of the dogs leapt onto its hind legs and propped its front paws on her knees.
“No, problem. We’re big animal people,” Maggie answered with a smile and cupped the dog’s chin with one hand, scratching his head with the other.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot you two are polo players.” The blonde woman laughed and held her blinged-out hand out to me. “I’m Clarissa Rogers. You must be Maggie’s husband.”
It still felt like a punch to the gut when someone called me a husband. I tightened my face into a smile before taking her hand. “Nice to meet you, Clarissa, I’m Jack Hennicke.”
I wasn’t a nervous person. Ever. I was the last guy on the grass, looking like the star of the show with an ego bigger than the polo field. But something about meeting a parent before taking care of their child worked up my nerves, and my accent slipped out. Through my peripherals, I could make out Maggie glancing at me in surprise, no doubt hearing the dose of German in my voice. Her lips twitched up before she faced Clarissa again.
