Wait For Me

by K. L. Grayson

  “You do realize I have three kids who don’t know the meaning of nice and calm, right?”

  Bo smiles. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I think I do.”

  “Promise me you won’t hurt her.”

  “I won’t,” I declare. “I promise you she’s safe here.”

  “Good, because I love that girl like she’s my daughter, and she needs some happiness in her life.”

  I can do that.

  Bo walks toward the stairs and then turns and looks at me. “Oh, I wanted to tell you she likes—”

  I shake my head and raise a hand. “Don’t tell me what she likes. I’d rather figure it out on my own.”

  “What are you two doing down there?” Nora says, poking her head out the door.

  Bo turns away from me. “Chill, woman. We’re coming.”

  “Did you grill him?” she asks when Bo hits the top platform.

  “What do you think?”

  “Bo,” she admonishes. “You promised to play nice.”

  “I did play nice.”

  “Sorry,” she says when he walks inside.

  I carry up the last suitcase. “Don’t apologize. I’ll be the same way when Emma grows up and moves in with some punk.”

  “She won’t.” Nora smiles brightly. “Emma is going to marry a prince.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Nora leans in close. The fruity scent of her shampoo tickles my nose, and I breathe her in. “And you’re not a punk,” she whispers.

  “I’m also not a prince.”

  Her eyes are bright as she smiles and turns for the door. “Are you sure about that?”

  15

  Grayson

  “See ya later, nugget.” Bo holds up his hand for Emma to high-five.

  It takes her three jumps, but she finally hits her mark. “Bye, Bo!”

  “See ya, Jack.” Bo fist-bumps Jack and then tickles Henry’s belly.

  Henry curls into Nora’s side and pushes his face to her neck as he giggles. When Bo turns to her, she hands Henry to me and steps into his open arms.

  “Thanks for flying out here and helping me, even though it was completely unnecessary. Oh, I called the rental place and paid for your car, and I upgraded your plane ticket home to first class.”

  Bo frowns.

  “If you would’ve given me a heads up, I would’ve had you in first class on the trip here.”

  “It was last minute. I needed to see you and make sure you were okay.”

  “I’m more than okay.”

  He smiles down at her with a look I’m sure most people never get from this guy. When he said she’s family to him, he wasn’t lying.

  “I know you are. It’s written all over your face. Happy and relaxed looks good on you, Nora. Take care of yourself.”

  “I will.”

  “And I’ll see you soon for that stupid premiere. I’m still pissed you have to go to that thing.”

  “I know. Me too. I’ll message you when I have more details about it.”

  Nora kisses Bo on the cheek and gives him one last squeeze before watching him climb into his rental car.

  When I see her wiping a tear from her cheek, I shift Henry to my other hip and wrap an arm around her shoulders, trying my best to ignore how good she feels pressed against me.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.” She nods, but then shakes her head. “No. I don’t miss much from my life in LA, but I miss him.”

  The need to comfort her is strong. I hate seeing her cry. Without thinking much about it, I press a kiss to the side of her head and let my lips linger against the soft strands of her hair.

  “Do you know what you need?”

  “A nice long bath?”

  I cringe. “There isn’t a bathtub in the loft.”

  She shrugs and wipes the tears from her face. “A shower will work too.”

  “I was going to say you need to relax. Go upstairs, unpack, get settled, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Read a book, take a shower, or you can walk around the property. If you follow the trail out back, it leads to a really pretty view of the lake.”

  “You’re right. I think I’ll do that. Thank you.”

  “Can I go?” Emma asks, looking at Nora hopefully.

  “No, sweetie,” I jump in, because I know Nora will tell her yes, and she needs some time for herself.

  It’s important to me that she knows I’m not going to turn her into my personal nanny.

  “Let Nora unpack and relax.”

  “Maybe I’ll come find you later. How does that sound?” Nora says.

  Emma pouts, but nods.

  “Well, we’ll let you get settled. If you need anything, send me a text.”

  “I will.”

  “Come on, kids.” Jack and Emma take off for the front porch. Henry wiggles in my arms, so I put him down, and he waddles after them.

  “Grayson?”

  I glance over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

  “I need to know how much the rent is so I can let my accountant know and you can get paid.”

  “You’re not paying rent.”

  “I don’t expect you to let me live out here for free.”

  “You watched the kids for me. Consider your rent paid for the summer.”

  “No.” She grabs my arm when I turn to walk away. “I have to do something.”

  “Relax. That’s all you need to do.”

  She doesn’t look pleased with my answer, but she doesn’t try to stop me when I walk toward the house.

  I glance out the front door several times, watching to see what Nora will do—half hoping she’ll come inside and hang out with us. Eventually, she meanders into the loft, and about an hour later, when I’m on the floor playing with the kids, my phone vibrates with a text. I smile when her name flashes on my screen.

  You’re right. The view of the lake is breathtaking.

  I smile.

  I’m glad you liked it.

  I did a lot of thinking out there.

  I want to ask her what she was thinking about, but it’s really none of my business, and knowing Nora, she’ll feel obligated to tell me.

  The lake is good for that.

  I have a proposition for you.

  My dick instantly goes hard. Let’s hear it.

  Let me help you with the kids while I’m in town.

  Is she crazy? No.

  Has anyone ever told you you’re stubborn?

  All the time.

  I can’t live here for free, and you need help with them. It’s a win-win for both of us.

  No.

  There’s a long pause, and then three dots dance across my screen.

  What if I exchange watching your kids for something other than rent?

  At least wine and dine me before you proposition me for sex, I type with a smile on my face.

  I don’t know why I’m flirting with her. Okay, yes, I do, because she’s beautiful. Because her smile is permanently imbedded in my head, and I can’t stop thinking about her to save my life.

  I’m pathetic.

  I’m a pathetic single dad who’s lusting after his friend’s sister.

  YOU. ARE. HORRIBLE. That’s not what I was going to suggest!

  I laugh. Oh, okay. My bad.

  But good to know it wouldn’t take much to get you there.

  Are you flirting with me?

  You started it. *Wink*

  I grin stupidly and type out a reply. For the record, you can flirt with me anytime.

  “Dad?”

  “Yeah, bud?”

  “What are you smiling at?”

  I blink, and sure enough, a giant smile is stretched across my face.

  “Oh, uh, I was just talking to a friend.”

  “Nick?”

  “No, another friend.”

  “You have other friends?”

  “Yes, I have other friends.”

  Jack gives me a funny look and goes back to what he was doing. My eyes are pulled to
my phone when another text comes through.

  Ditto. But can we stop flirting for just a second?

  And here I am grinning again. Buzzkill. Okay, all flirting aside, what’s your proposition?

  She replies right away. What if I help you, and then you help me with something? (Non sexual)

  You had to add that in there, didn’t you? What could you possibly need help with?

  I need a plus-one to the movie premiere.

  The movie premiere? Why?

  Come outside and I’ll tell you.

  I look over my shoulder at the kids. Emma and Henry are coloring, and Jack is playing with his robot.

  I open the screen door and step onto the porch. Nora is sitting on the swing, smiling at me like a Cheshire cat.

  “Were you texting me from out here this whole time?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why didn’t you just come inside?”

  She shrugs. “I didn’t want to bother you guys. Plus, I really like the swing.”

  “Let’s get one thing straight. While you’re staying here, you’re my guest, and when you moved into the loft, you also moved into my home. Come and go as you please. Use my kitchen, come inside and hang out with us—whatever you want. I don’t ever want you feeling like you’re intruding or bothering us.”

  “What about when you have a date over?” she asks, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth.

  There’s nothing sexier than a woman willing to say what’s on her mind. She’s bold, and I like it. “I don’t date.”

  “Ever?”

  “I don’t have time. And there aren’t many women who want to date a single dad with three kids.”

  “I think you’d be surprised,” she says, looking out across the yard.

  I put my hand on hers the way I did the other night, because it feels good to touch her. “You can come over anytime. I wouldn’t be text-flirting with you if I were planning to bring a date over. That’s not how I operate.”

  She turns back to me. “Thank you.”

  “Now, tell me why you need a plus-one for your ex’s movie premiere.”

  Nora blows out a breath. “Well, for starters, he still thinks I’m going as his date, even though my team has told him numerous times that I’m not.”

  “So you need a buffer, someone to fight him off if he tries to get handsy?”

  She blushes and lifts a shoulder. “It’s not just that.”

  When she doesn’t immediately continue, I urge her on. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  Nora blows out a breath and pushes up from the swing. “I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I think this premiere is my opportunity to make several statements. I’ve been away from the spotlight for a few weeks now. There are already rumors spreading about where I am and what I’m doing after my breakup and after I fired my manager.”

  “This is your chance to show the world who you are,” I say.

  “Exactly! I can show up in a dress I want to wear, with a handsome guy on my arm—”

  “You think I’m handsome?”

  She nudges my arm playfully. “You know you are.”

  I like hearing you say it. “So, basically, you want me to be your arm candy?”

  “Yes! Wait, no. Not like that,” she says, laughing. “Quit putting words in my mouth.”

  “Sorry, keep going.”

  “Just…” She sits back on the swing and angles her body toward me. “Will you do it? Will you be my date to the premiere?”

  I pretend to think about it for a second, already having an idea of what my answer is going to be. “When is it?”

  “The weekend after Jack’s birthday.”

  “I’ll have to find someone to watch the kids.”

  “Oh, right.” Nora slumps against the swing. “I can’t believe I didn’t think about that. How inconsiderate of me. Don’t worry about it—”

  “Nora,” I say. “It’s not a deal breaker.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No. I haven’t left my kids since I’ve had full custody, and the thought of some adult time away is appealing, but I can’t be gone for too long—because of work, and I’ll miss the little booger-pickers.”

  She smiles. “The premiere is on a Friday night, so I was thinking we would leave on Friday morning, go to the premiere that night, and come back sometime on Saturday. I really need to meet with my new manager while I’m in the city, but if anything, she can come sit with me while I’m getting my makeup done.”

  For some reason, I don’t like the idea of Nora wearing gobs of makeup. She’s beautiful just the way she is. “Can I think about it and get back to you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Are you sure, Mom? I hate to make you drive all the way here two weekends in a row.”

  I called my mom as soon as Nora retreated back to the loft.

  Mom and Dad already had plans to make the trip here for Jack’s birthday party, and now I’m asking her to drive down the following weekend too to watch them while I go to the premiere with Nora.

  It’s not a terribly long drive—only four hours, five if you drive the speed limit.

  “I’m sure,” she says. “They’re my grandbabies, and I don’t get to see them enough. I still wish you’d consider moving closer so I could help you with them more often.”

  “You’re the one who moved away from us.”

  “I know.” She sighs. “One of these days, if your dad ever retires, we’re going to move back. I want to be closer to you and Duke.”

  “I hope you do. So you’ll drive up and spend the night here with them?”

  “Yep, but if I’m making the four-hour trek there, I’d prefer to stay more than one night. Why don’t you just make it a weekend getaway and come back on Sunday?”

  That might not be a bad idea… We wouldn’t have to rush home, and Nora could schedule the sit-down with her manager like she talked about. “I’ll talk to Nora.”

  Mom squeaks. “Nora?”

  Damn it. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

  “The friend you’re going away with for the weekend is a girl?”

  “Yes, Mom, but we’re just friends.”

  “That’s how all good relationships start out.”

  “We’re not in a relationship.”

  “Not yet, but I bet you will be by the time you get back.”

  Maybe her moving home isn’t such a good idea. “Okay, Mom, I’m hanging up now.”

  “Love you, sweetie.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I hang up and drop my head against the back of the couch. She’s probably already sending a group text to all of her friends. I can picture her now, squealing at her phone as she talks about a wedding and more babies.

  Mom was never a huge fan of Lorelei, and I’m sure she’s been patiently waiting for me to start dating since the divorce. Surprisingly, she hasn’t asked about my love life, but I’m certain it hasn’t been far from her mind.

  My phone vibrates in my hand, and I pick it up to see a text from Duke.

  You and Nora are going away for the weekend?

  Jesus C. You and Mom gossip too much.

  Are you or aren’t you?

  Yes, but I’m just helping her out with something. It’s not a big deal.

  It’s a big deal. Don’t forget to pack condoms.

  “Poopie.” Henry crawls onto my lap and smacks my chest. “Poopie.”

  I catch a whiff of what he’s talking about and scoop him into my arms. I tuck my phone in my pocket, ignoring another text that comes through. I’m sure it’s Duke being a douchebag.

  “Come on, little man, let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed.”

  When I pull the diaper off of Henry, I have to turn my head to keep from gagging. You’d think I would’ve gotten used to cleaning shit, but I haven’t. It still makes me sick, every single time.

  Once his butt is clean, I put him and Emma into my bathtub together. It’s big enough for all three kids, but Jack started taki
ng separate showers last year. He’s really good at bathing himself, which is a huge help.

  I wash Henry and Emma’s hair, scrub their bodies, and then sit on the toilet and check my email while they play.

  “Daddy?”

  I look up from my phone. “Yeah, sugarplum?”

  “Nowa wants to take a bubblebaf in here.”

  “She does?”

  “Uh-huh.” Emma nods. Her wet curls fling water into Henry’s face, and he flinches. “She wikes our tub, and she wikes to take bubblebafs wike me.”

  “Do you know what you need?”

  “A nice long bath?”

  An idea begins to form...

  16

  Nora

  “I think it’s a good idea,” Nick says, surprising the hell out of me.

  “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  “Me too,” Jessa says from the background.

  I learned a long time ago that Nick always has the phone on speaker. I’m doubly surprised that Jessa is on board, especially since she’s the one who warned me away from Grayson.

  “So, what did he say?” Nick says.

  “He hasn’t given me a final answer yet. He has to find someone to keep the kids first.”

  “Why didn’t he ask us?” Jessa says, sounding a little put-off.

  “Probably because you both work and he doesn’t want to inconvenience you.”

  “Those kids are not an inconvenience. Lorelei was my best friend since preschool. They’re all I have left of her.”

  Jessa has such a big heart. She’s going to make a wonderful mother one of these days. “I’ll be sure to tell him you said that.”

  “Thank you,” she replies.

  “So, how’s the baby-making coming along?”

  It was an awkward conversation, but after lots of hounding on Nick’s part, I finally broke down and told him and Jessa why I chose to move out. They felt bad, and then I felt bad for making them feel bad, but really no one should feel bad, because hello, they’re trying to make a baby!

  I was super excited for them and can’t wait for the day they tell me their efforts have paid off. I’m going to spoil the hell out of that little booger.