Page 29 of Wrapped in Winter
She nods again and takes a sip of her hot chocolate, and I can see her mind whirling. “Will Drake be waiting for me after school?” I begin to choke on the cookie I just bit. I cover my mouth so as to not draw attention, trying to swallow before I drink my hot chocolate to wash it down.
I don’t know how to answer her, so I just say, “I’m sure there will be days you see him at the store when he delivers.”
She nods, the answer good enough for her. “Next time we paint our nails, can they be blue?”
I let out a little laugh. “Any color you want.”
“Drake wears a blue shirt when he comes to the store.”
“I’m sure that’s part of his uniform.” And now I'm convinced my daughter has a crush on the delivery guy, and I don’t know if this is good or not. I don’t want her getting so attached, it will only confuse her. Especially since I have no idea what Drake and I are doing.
“And Aunt Meadow has blue eyes like me. I like blue eyes.”
“You have beautiful blue eyes.” She looks at me and blinks fast before dissolving into giggles. But then she sits up straight, looking past me, and yells, “Drake!”
I snap my head to the left and see him standing at the counter. My heart beats quickly and the way my body reacts to him is still so unexpected. I’ve never been so attracted to someone just from being in the same room with them. Not even Sean, and that thought scares me.
He looks up and finds me watching him. The smile that spreads across his face makes me instantly wet. His lips are so full and teasing, and I know exactly how they taste. He speaks to the woman at the counter then rounds it and heads our way.
“You’re following us!” Lily yells out and laughs. He grabs a chair and slides it up to our table. I raise a brow at his familiarity and glance around at the heads who swing our way.
“Maybe you’re following me. Do you know my work schedule?” He leans in, teasing her, and her eyes are big as she smiles back. He glances at me then at our table, grabbing the half cookie on the platter and biting it. The audible moan that comes from him as he chews and swallows has me watching his throat move. “Raspberry. My favorite.” He winks at me.
“Drake, my birthday is in four days. I’m going to be four!”
He looks shocked. “Four! I thought you were going to be sixteen!”
She laughs from her toes. “No, silly! I’m not that old.”
He shakes his head. “Wow, I had no idea. You’re so smart for a four-year-old.” She sits up a little straighter in her chair, loving his praise and attention.
“I’m having a party; do you want to come?”
“Lily.” I snap out her name and instantly feel bad. They both look at me, her with confusion and him with understanding. “I mean, maybe Drake is working.”
“Areyou working?” she asks.
He looks at me before saying, “I do work a lot. Why don’t you have your mom text me the details later, and I’ll see if I can make it.” He’s offering me grace and the gesture is much appreciated.
She drops her eyes, and I see disappointment written all over her face. My mind drifts back to our conversation about how change is good.
“It’s this Saturday. In the afternoon. At two.” I speak in broken sentences quickly and he studies me before a grin comes into play.
“That happens to be my day off.” He looks back to Lily. “I’ll be there.” He stands. “Back to my route, Pretty Lily. Have fun with your momma.” He pulls on one of her little pigtails, and I have to stop myself from jumping on this guy. Cole calling him romantic doesn’t begin to even scratch the surface. More like sex on a stick moving right into daddy territory is his vibe.
And I think I could be ready for it.
Chapter 12
Drake
Me: I enjoyed being followed by you today.
January: It’s a small town, there's only so many places to go. Chances are we’d run into you.
Me: It’s okay. You don’t need to explain. I get the appeal.
January: Such a show off.