“Well now, you’re spoiling me. I’m not used to this kind of help,” I softly laugh. “She likes pepperoni,” I say, answering his question.
“You are going to have to get used to it,” he chuckles. “I like being the one you call when you need something.”
“Technically, you called me,” I correct him.
“Only because I knew you wouldn’t ask for help. I want to change that.”
“You’re off to a good start. I’m learning that it’s safe to lean on others.”
“Good. Life’s better when you’re not doing it alone,” he says, softening his voice. I hear him moving some items around in the background. “I need to get back to work, but I’ll be over later before the girls pick you up.”
“Okay.” I see Bee chasing a butterfly in the yard and smile at her joy. “Thanks for not letting me do it alone,” I add quietly.
“Anytime.” I can hear the smile in his voice and clutch the phone to my chest. “Bye, beautiful. Tell your little bee I’ll see her soon.”
“I will.”
We end the call, and I get a goofy grin on my face. God, that man can melt my heart just as much as he melts my panties. I don’t know how, but I got the best of both worlds. Now I just need to be brave enough to let him all the way in.
I spend the rest of the afternoon playing with Bee at the beach before I shower and get ready. She’s bouncing off the walls with excitement and looking out the window every fifteen minutes for Miles and Gizmo. I knew she would be excited to see his dog, but she’s only met Miles a handful of times, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I told her he was babysitting tonight. She seemed to be just as excited to see him and immediately started getting out some of her board games for them to play.
I secure my gold hoop earring and touch up my lip gloss before looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I went with a simple black dress that hits me mid-thigh. The back is backless, and the front ties around my neck before draping down into a vee. I wore my hair down tonight and curled it into loose waves. My skin has a nice golden tan from spending the day at the beach, and I actually feel like a sexy woman again instead of just a mom.
It’s been so long since I’ve had a girls’ night out, and I find myself really looking forward to this evening and spending more time with Lyla’s sisters-in-law. Bending down, I slip my black heels on and grab my handbag from the bed.
“He’s here!” Bee’s excited voice rings out as I walk out of my bedroom. She’s swinging open the front door and down the steps before I even make it to the front porch.
I watch Miles get out of a black truck and set Gizmo down to do his exploring. Instead of Bee going straight to him like she usually does, she’s leaping into Miles’s arms. Laughing, he scoops her up and grins at her.
“Hey, little bee. You ready for a fun night?”
“Yes! I got all my favorite board games out, and Momma told me I could stay up late with you to watch a movie if I was a good girl!”
“Sounds like a plan,” he grins, reaching into the truck to grab the pizza box. “How about we eat and then you can show me your games?”
“Pepperoni?” Her eyes light up at the box.
“With extra cheese.”
“Yes!”
He walks up to the porch and stops when he sees me. His eyes roam over me, and I feel my cheeks warm from the way his greys turn a deeper shade. He’s wearing dark gym shorts tonight with a tee that has his brothers’ tattoo shop,Inked,over his heart. His hair is tucked into a black backwards hat, and knowing Miles, he took the information I gave him and is using it to his advantage. It’s definitely working, and I find myself wishing I could just run up to him and fling my arms around him, claiming him as mine.
“Doesn’t Momma look pretty? I helped her get ready,” Bee says, smiling at me.
“She does. She’s beautiful,” he says, holding my gaze and making my stomach flutter from the emotions I see in his eyes. The desire is definitely there, but it’s the warmth and affection I feel that weave around my heart and won’t let go.
“Thank you for doing this on such short notice.” I finally break the spell he has me under and rub the goosebumps on my arms. “I can’t remember the last time I went out like this.”
He sets Bee down when she squirms to see Gizmo. She giggles when she’s attacked by licks as his dog greets her.
“You really need to stop thanking me,” he chuckles, walking up the stairs to meet me. Bee bounds up behind him with Gizmo on her heels before they disappear into the house. “Although I have to say I’m extremely jealous right now that it’s Savi and my sisters-in-law who get to look at you all night. Beautiful doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“Thank you.” I can’t stop the blush that creeps across my face as he reaches out briefly to trace it. “I could say the same thing about my daughter. It’s very tempting to throw on some comfortable pajamas and stay in with you and Bee.”
“My sister would murder me in my sleep if I stole you from her tonight,” he laughs. “When you’re ready to move forward and include Bee, I’m all in for a movie night together. Sounds like the perfect evening,” he adds quietly.
“I’m getting there,” I say, letting him in a bit more on where my heart is.
