“Ah, I see.”
Micah and Cricket leave, and I sit on the couch. “Do you want to watch a movie, Skyler?”
“Yes!”
“What movie should we watch?”
“Bluey!”
Tobias chuckles as he enters the room. “Let’s see what else there is that you might like.” He picks up the remote and joins me on the couch. He still hasn’t put his sleeves down, and his forearms are distracting me. As he searches through the choices, Skyler goes back to her coloring.
He elbows me. “How about we go old school and watch Mary Poppins?”
“That would be fun. I haven’t seen that in years.”
He starts the movie, and Skyler climbs up on my lap. Tobias puts his arm on the back of the couch, and I can’t help but think of the closeness we’ve shared over the last couple of days. Theway he caressed my tattoo and the kiss we shared. My heart pounds as I settle in to watch the movie. If we were a real family, this would be a perfect evening.
My gut twists as I remember we’re not. I’m lying to them.
CHAPTER 21
TOBIAS BARRETT
As the movie plays, Kiki seems to get closer and closer to me, and I’m not sure if it’s subconscious or not but when her head finally touches my shoulder, I about lose it. I look down at her and her eyes are closed. Oh. She’s fallen asleep. She wasn’t snuggling with me.
It’s just an accident. I shift a little and she snuggles in deeper. I don’t disturb her. The movie is almost done, anyway. I keep my arm on the back of the couch, even though I’d love to pull her in closer. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want that kind of a relationship.
As the credits roll, I notice Skyler’s also asleep. It’s nine-thirty and I usually put her to bed at nine, so that makes sense. I try to slowly disengage myself from Kiki without waking her, but it doesn’t work. She sits up and yawns. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I fall asleep?”
“Yes. And so did Skyler.”
“Aw,” she says, scooping Skyler up. “I’ll help you get her into bed.”
We go up the stairs to her bedroom. Sky wakes as Kiki sets her down on the bed. “Let’s get you in your pajamas,” Kiki says softly.
“Okay.”
I’m amazed she doesn’t protest, which is her normal mode of operation. She must be too sleepy to object to bedtime. We help her into her bluey pajamas and Kiki tucks her in.
After we get downstairs, Kiki turns to me. “Do you want some herbal tea? I can make some.”
“I can make herbal tea,” I say, throwing her own words back at her. I’m teasing, yet a part of me is asking her if she really wants to spend time with me…alone.
She laughs. “Alright, I deserve that.”
I lean against the banister. The awkwardness from earlier in the day has mostly dissipated, but I don’t know where I stand with her and it’s bothering me. I fold my arms. “I have to be honest with you. I’m not one to play games.”
She lifts her eyebrows and slides her hands in her back pockets. “Not even Monopoly?” She glances around the house. “You seem like a Boardwalk and Parkway kind of guy.”
I chuckle under my breath, even though I’m still confused about her signals. “Do you really want to spend time with me tonight?”
Her expression grows serious and her gaze falls. “I like talking to you. I want us to be friends. Is that possible?”
Friends. That’s what she wants? I take in a deep breath and try to figure out if I can handle that. Kissing Kiki was amazing, and ever since last night I’ve had a hard time concentrating on anything else. When we’re in the same room, she sucks the breath out of me. I feel an energy I haven’t had since I was ateenager. Can I tamp that down and sit next to her on the porch swing like a gentleman?
If I say no, I’m the one cutting off any kind of relationship with her. That’s not what I want. I’d rather be friends than ignore her while she’s living in my home and taking care of my child.
“All right,” I finally say. “Let’s be friends.”
