Finding Ever After

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  “Just say thank you, Princess.” He used his hip to bump me away from the sink and then he took over scrubbing the pans. “Thank you.” I grabbed a towel and dried the dishes he washed.

  “So, you ready to fill me in on last night?” I was wondering when he was going to get around to that. He wasn’t the type to let anything go and I saw the curiosity in his eyes last night.

  “Nothing really to tell. Bas and my brother haven’t always gotten along. They sorted some things out last night and now they’re all good.” It wasn’t necessarily a lie. I just omitted all of the major details. I turned away from him and put the pans in the cupboard so he wouldn‘t see it in my eyes. When I turned back around he had finished with the dishes and was leaning back against the counter looking at me intently.

  “Where did you learn how to cook, and are your kitchen skills limited to breakfast?” I asked, changing the subject, hoping he would take the hint not to push it.

  “Growing up I spent a lot of time with our cook and I learned from her.” I had guessed he came from money and I had my confirmation. “And my skills go way beyond breakfast.” His voice dropped to a seductive growl and he waggled his eyebrows. “I look forward to tasting your cooking tonight and comparing techniques and skills.” How could anyone make preparing a meal sound so dirty? I rolled my eyes and grabbed a notepad to start a list of the groceries I would need.

  “Ky, come on. Let’s go.” Chris shouted from the living room. Kyden pushed off the counter and moved past me. He stopped in the doorway and looked back over his shoulder.

  “Oh and Princess. I’ll let it slide for now, but eventually I’m going to get the story from you.”

  Chapter 10

  “Oww. Crap.” I yanked my hand back and the pan of lasagna crashed back down on the oven rack.

  I hadn’t heard Kyden or anyone else come in so I wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing in my kitchen, but I became hyper aware of him when he placed one hand on the small of my back and took the oven pad from me with the other.

  “Here, I got it Princess.”

  He set the lasagna on the stove and led me over to the sink. My brain was trying to tell my mouth to say something, but I couldn’t form any words. I think every signal in my body was overridden by my inability to stop staring. At this point I should have been immune to his good looks, but I doubted that any amount of time would do anything for the breathlessness and flutters that ensued every time he was around.

  I knew there was an angry red blister marring the inside of my arm, just below my wrist, where I bumped it on the element, but I hardly noticed the sting. His fingers were loosely wrapped around my forearm and the feel of his touch sent more heat through my body than the burn did. He turned on the faucet and held my arm under the icy stream.

  He was intent on tending to my burn and I had the rare opportunity to study him unabashedly. His features appeared much softer than usual, but I detected slight traces of concern. It was difficult not to be moved by the sweetness of it. His hair was mussed and I wanted to brush the strands that were falling over his face away so I could look into those deep green eyes, as if they held all the answers to the questions I had about him. I didn’t actually believe that gazing into those emerald orbs would reveal his secrets but the draw to do so was strong regardless.

  “Stop staring Princess.” I felt my face flush at being caught and I wanted to pull my hand out of grasp and put some distance between us, but before I could, I heard the front door burst open and the sounds of excited males storming the house. Kyden released my hand and moved back just before Chris came crashing into the kitchen.

  “Smells good Tink. Is the food ready?” Chris asked. I shut off the water and turned away from Kyden to dry off my hand. I didn’t look at him as I turned to face Chris.

  “It’s ready, we just have to wait for my brother and his family to show up. You can make yourself useful and grab plates to set the table.” I told him while I got everything out of the fridge to prep the salads. Chris started pulling dishes out of the cupboard for place settings and Kyden disappeared into the living room where I could hear sounds from the television and several male voices. From the noise level I assumed all of the roommates had come.

  I was just placing the salad bowl on the table when there was a knock at the door. I didn’t realize until that moment how nervous I was to finally meet my niece. I didn’t know how to be around her and I was terrified that she wouldn’t like me. I already loved that little girl but I desperately wanted her to love me. I was frozen in place there in the kitchen until I heard the sweetest little voice in the entryway.

  “Where’s my aunty?”

  I stepped out of the kitchen and saw Bas holding the front door open. My brother and a beautiful blonde were standing in the doorway. I knew that must be Lucy, but I didn’t give them a second look. My eyes immediately went to the tiny person hanging off my brother’s arm with pretty little curls framing that adorable round face. She was decked out in a blue sparkly top, a pink tutu with a big yellow bow, purple tights and bright orange kiddie Chucks. That’s all it took for a big grin to spread across my face and in that moment I knew I not only loved that little girl, but I liked her as well, a lot.

  When she saw me, all it took was one smile from her and I knew that colorful little angel was going to own me. I took a couple steps toward her and she let go of Shane’s hand and matched my steps with her little legs.

  “Are you my aunty?” I was close enough to see her big baby blues looking up at me with curiosity.

  “Yes I am sweet girl.” Her eyes got bigger and her smile widened in delight. Next thing I knew her arms were wrapped around my legs. I half giggled, half choked as I tried not cry. I reached down and ran my fingers through her curls while she hugged my legs with all the strength her toddler arms possessed. Shane looked at us with amusement, Lucy and Bas wore matching expressions, but I was sure not one of their smiles could match my own as I bent down and scooped her up into my arms.

  Her giggle incited my own and when I turned to carry her into the kitchen I noticed that we had a larger audience than I realized. Kyden and the rest of the guys were standing across from the kitchen, in the doorway of the living room watching us. Kyden’s expression was unreadable, but I quickly looked away not wanting to give him anymore thought.

  I didn’t spare him another glance throughout the entire meal. Okay, maybe I snuck a look, or possibly two, but it was hard not to be drawn in by his intensity and natural charisma. He was everything I knew I shouldn’t want, but a part of me, the weak willed part of me, couldn’t deny the attraction. How could I when he was so devastatingly gorgeous and captivating.

  Attraction wasn’t enough. Though it was appealing now, it wouldn’t mean anything to my broken heart, which was inevitable with him. I wasn’t capable of not becoming emotionally attached and I didn’t think he was capable of attaching. He wanted casual and I wanted commitment. I hadn’t known him long, but I knew him well enough to know that word would make him cringe.

  If only my heart would listen to reason and stop racing every time he was around. Everyone says to follow your heart, but the heart can be misled and deceived. I think you have to find balance between your head and your heart, and mine were at war with each other. When it came to Kyden, my heart didn’t know which way was up.

  Then there was Izzy, who was not only stealing more and more my heart by the minute, but everyone’s. She was too adorable and entertained all of us with her spunkiness. Thankfully, the guys were on their best behavior and curbed the swearing. Everyone was having a good time.

  Lucy wasn’t what I was expecting though. I thought she would have to be more of a spitfire to keep my brother in line, but she was quite the opposite. She was very reserved and easy going. Somehow it worked between them. They balanced each other. I grew to respect her immensely in the short amount of time we had to talk over dinner. She stayed home to raise Izzy, but was working to earn a degree online. I found out that she
didn’t have any family in the picture helping out. For the most part she and my brother had been on their own from day one and I was in awe of what an amazing job the two of them were doing.

  I knew it would be easy for us to become good friends. She was smart and much too classy for my brother, but it was obvious she loved him intensely. She enjoyed to read almost as much as I did, and we were able to bond over books, and of course her sweet daughter.

  “She sure is quick.” Bas commented when we were all sitting around the living room after dessert was finished. Chris, Danny, Spade and Marcus had already gone home for the evening. Ace and Kyden stuck around to hang out for a while longer. Izzy was running from Ace who was chasing her around the room eliciting a symphony of squeals and giggles.

  “Tell me about it.” Lucy responded. “I spend half my waking hours chasing her all over the house. Every time I turn my back she’s into something else.”

  Izzy came running over to me and jumped into my lap to escape the tickle torture Ace was about to dispense. “Aunty, aunty.” She exclaimed as she buried herself in my arms and continued to giggle.

  “Don’t worry I’ll protect you from the mean tickle monster.” I told her and I picked up one of the throw pillows on the couch and did exactly what the name suggested I do. I threw it at Ace and he pretended to go down like he’d been hit with a missile instead of a small pillow. Izzy laughed even harder and clapped her hands.

  It surprised me how good Ace was with her. I wouldn’t have pegged him as a kids guy. He was much more of a softie than he let on and it made more sense when he shared that his and Marcus’ older brother had three kids; twin boys, age eight and a little girl age four. It was clear from how he spoke of them that he loved being Uncle Ace and seeing him with Izzy and how much fun she was having, I would bet that his nephews and niece loved their Uncle Ace as well.

  Kyden was the only one who didn’t really engage with Izzy. He was entertained and laughed along with the rest of us, but he also seemed to be intimidated by her. I watched him watching her and it was pretty obvious that he felt uncomfortable and unsure of her any time she got near him. That made it all the more hilarious when she walked right over to him and climbed up on his lap and started tugging on his lip ring and playing with his hair.

  I could barely contain my laughter. He looked so scared; frozen in place, eyes wide with shock. He had no idea what to do about the tiny person making him her jungle gym. It was priceless to see the ordinarily self-assured bad boy brought to his knees by a toddler in a tutu. It didn’t deter her though, she was persistent and determined to make him her new friend.

  Even he wasn’t able to resist her for long and eventually succumbed to her cuteness. When he got down on the floor and let her ride around on his back like a pony, another little piece of my resistance crumbled, which was a dangerous thing for me because what I felt in that moment went beyond simple attraction.

  By the time Shane and Lucy were ready to leave Kyden was just as smitten with Izzy as the rest of us, and she had definitely taken to him. She was curled up in his arms fast asleep, and that sight was almost enough to make me say to heck with all my reservations and throw myself into his lap as well. Almost.

  I didn’t let them take her home without promising to bring her back to me on Thursday for a sleepover. I became even more excited when I found out it would be her first ever sleepover. I was already making plans to hit the mall before then to stock up on everything I would need to spoil her and make it the best sleepover ever.

  Ace and Kyden said goodnight and followed Shane and Lucy out as well. It was just me and Bas and I was ready to crash. I collapsed back on the couch and rested my head in his lap.

  “I want one Bas.” I gave him my best, pouty face and he just smacked me with the same pillow I threw at Ace.

  “She’s a kid, not a puppy, Jazz.” He teased.

  “I know and I’m really not anywhere near ready for kids but she’s just so fricken cute and fun.”

  “Yeah she is pretty damn cute.” He agreed. “You know we’re going to need to pick up a few things before she stays with us.”

  “Yeah, I want to go to the mall this week. You should probably come with me and stop me from going too crazy.”

  “Yeah. Oh we should get one of those little play tents for her. It can be her fort. Kids love forts.” He suggested

  “So true, and I want to find a sprinkler for the yard since the weather has been so nice, maybe a little kiddie pool too.”

  We both continued to list things that we thought would be good to get for and I knew there was going to be no stopping the crazy. Bas had always loved kids. He frequently volunteered the two of us to babysit his young cousins when we were in high school. I used the topic of kids to segue into a topic Bas was still trying to avoid.

  “So how many kids do you and Lissa want to have?”

  “Give it a rest Jazz.” He groaned.

  “Not gonna happen. If I don’t get the two of you to make up then you’re gonna end up alone and be the male version of a cat lady. Then I won’t have any nieces and nephews to tell embarrassing stories about all the times their father played Barbies with me. You can’t do that to me. You have to have to have at least six, maybe more. I’ll let you know later what I decide.”

  That earned me another pillow to the face and I just couldn’t let that slide. Of course when I was pinned on the floor in the hallway with two pillows raining down on me I regretted my decision to instigate a full blown pillow fight.

  Chapter 11

  “Argh!” I let out a frustrated groan. “Bas I can’t figure these things out, they’re supposed to be toddler proof not adult proof!”

  “That’s because you have to be smarter than a toddler.” He snatched the child safety locks from my hand.

  “Ha. Ha. You put them on then.” Of course it didn’t take him but thirty seconds to get them apart and attached to the cupboards. He grinned smugly and I had the urge to smack him.

  “Did you get the outlet caps put on and the toilet lock installed?” I huffed.

  “Yes I did. Now all you have to do is snap on the corner protectors and we’re all kid proofed. Think you can manage that? They’re simple enough that even you should be able to figure it out.”

  “Shut up.”

  An hour later the entire house was rigged up for a toddler and we were waiting expectantly for Lucy to drop Izzy off. She was going to spend the night and Lucy was expecting me to take her home in the morning, but I had a surprise planned instead. Over dinner Lucy had talked about how difficult it has been for her to complete her schooling online because she spends all day chasing after her rambunctious daughter. I could see the exhaustion on her face and even though my brother has a great job, they couldn‘t afford to continuously pay for childcare. I was determined to help make things easier on them, and selfishly I wanted as much time with my niece as I could get.

  Having a break from Izzy would give her a chance to study for an upcoming exam in one of her summer courses. I wouldn’t be taking Izzy home in the morning though, I’d called and made an appointment at one of the hotel spas for Lucy tomorrow so she could have some pampering. I also set up dinner reservations at a nice restaurant so they could have a date night, something I doubted they had been able to do in quite a while.

  Everything was taken care of. I already texted Shane to fill him in and he was going to take home flowers with a card for her appointment at the spa. I let him know I would drop Izzy off tomorrow night once they got home from dinner, on my way to the bar where the guys were playing their Friday night show.

  I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt so good, so optimistic. I was happy to be doing something for my brother, hopeful about the relationship I was building with him and Lucy and beyond excited to watch Izzy grow up and to be a part of her life as well.

  Bas was almost equally as excited as I was for Izzy to spend the night with us. We definitely went a little overboard on our shopping excursion. My
living room looked like a Toys/ Babies R Us ad, but I was making up for two and half years off not spoiling her. It was my job to go a little crazy and I couldn’t think of a better reason to dip into the insurance money I’d hardly touched in the years it’d been sitting in an account for me.

  It was definitely worth it to when Izzy came in and saw all of the new things I had for her. She couldn’t decide what to go for first; the baby doll, the toy keyboard or the rocking horse that had actually been mine. I made Bas pull it out of the small attic where the few toys from my childhood, that Mom saved, were stored. We definitely had enough to keep her busy and entertained.

  I figured out very quickly why Lucy was so exhausted, Bas and I both did. Keeping up with a kid wasn’t easy and Izzy had definitely inherited her daddy’s stubbornness and inclination for mischief. I understood what Lucy meant when she said she spent all day chasing the girl around. The was always on the go and she was fast.

  “You’re going to be a great mom Jazz.” Bas plopped down on the couch and rested his head in my lap. We’d finally got Izzy down for a nap after lunch and we were enjoying the peace and quiet. It had been a fun morning; even so I hoped she took a long nap.

  “You’re not doing too bad yourself.” I took the opportunity to bring up the subject we hadn’t talked about since he attacked me with pillows on Sunday. “You know to have a child of your very own you’re going to have to make things right with Lissa. You sort of need her for that.”

  “Hmpf.” He grunted. “I thought you agreed to drop this.”

  “Don’t you hmpf at me. I didn’t agree to drop anything, you hit me with a pillow. You know I’m right. Eventually you’re going to have to swallow that pride and at least talk to her.”

  “Nope. If she wants to work this out then she’s going to have to make the effort and she needs to apologize to you.”

  “I don’t want or need her apology. As wrong and out of line as she was, I can see where she’s coming from. She feels threatened and you have to admit that it did look bad that she found us in bed.”