Now I watch my daughter snuggle with the man I’m falling in love with. After I wipe down the counter, I join them on the sofa. I snuggle into Chance’s side and drape my arm across the back of the sofa so I can play with his hair.
Ava turns to me and smiles. “Mommy, is yummy.” She holds the popsicle out to me. “You wans some?”
“No, baby, but thank you.”
Chance turns and kisses my forehead. He places his lips against my ear and whispers, “She feels like a tiny furnace.”
I hop up and grab the digital thermometer. I turn it on and swipe it across her forehead. It beeps and I pull it away to read the temperature: 102.1. I grab the ibuprofen and draw up the amount she needs, then take it over to my sick love bug.
She sees it and shakes her head. “No, Mommy. Das yucky.” Ava turns on Chance’s lap, giving me her back.
“Baby, take this and you’ll feel better.”
“Listen to your mom, baby girl. I don’t like to see you sick.”
I roll my eyes and stick out my tongue at him when he flashes me that cocky grin of his—especially when Ava spins her little body around and opens her mouth. I squirt the purple liquid into her mouth, and she swallows it down.
“I swallow it.” She opens her mouth to show me it is empty. Ava lays her head on Chance’s shoulder and falls asleep.
“Do you want me to take her?”
He shakes his head. “Nah … I’ve got her.”
“Okay, I’m going to jump in the shower.” He shoots me a smile, nods, and then turns back to the TV. I grab some clean clothes and carry them into the bathroom. I pull my hair up so I don’t have to wash it and strip out of my clothes.
I quickly shower and shave before hopping out. I slather myself in lotion and throw on my white cami with a built in bra and a slouchy red tank top. I slip on my red polka dot cotton panties and a pair of cut off sweats.
My hair looks cute, so I leave it up. I step out of the bathroom and freeze. Is it possible for someone’s heart to burst from pure joy? Chance is asleep with Ava sleeping on his chest—his arms wrapped protectively around her.
On silent feet I grab my phone and take a couple quick pictures of them. I set my phone down and climb on to his bed and watch them sleep. It hits me that I’m not falling in love with him—I am in love with him.
He hugs my daughter like she’s his own flesh and blood. My eyes burn, and it isn’t long before tears trail down my cheek. Who knew that I would fall in love with the jerkwad who stole my parking spot.
I shut my eyes, smile, and promptly fall asleep.
“Mommy?” I open my eyes and find both Chance and Ava have gotten up and are now staring at me with their chins resting on the mattress, wearing identical smiles on their faces. “We’re hungwy.”
“You are? Did you have a good nap?” I reach out and brush her hair out of her face and then do the same thing to Chance.
They both nod.
“Her fever finally broke because I woke up soaked with her sweat. She feels cool, or normal. I was going to get her changed, but I didn’t know the rules or if I should just help her with my eyes closed.”
I lean in, kissing his lips. “Do whatever you’re comfortable with. I trust you with her.”
As I pull away, he grabs me by the back of the neck. “That means a lot to me; I mean it.” He kisses me then pulls back, and we both start to laugh because Ava’s smiling at us.
“Chas, you was kissing Mommy.” She wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him.
“Obviously she’s feeling better,” I say with a smile. “We should probably still take it easy tonight though, just in case.”
“I agree. I’m going to go look and see what we’ve got to eat.” He stands with Ava in his arms. She clings to Chance when he tries to put her down. “You want to come with me to pick out dinner?”
“Yes, I go with you.”
“Okay, I’ve got you.” He carries her toward the little kitchen and sets her on the counter then hands her a popsicle.
I climb out of bed and head into the bathroom to pee, wash my hands, take my hair down, and brush it out, throwing it up in a loose ponytail. I step into the living room and find Chance and Ava happily eating their popsicles.
“What’s the word?” I ask, taking Chances popsicle and biting off a chunk of the grape flavored ice. I hand it back to him.
“Ava and I thought some grilled cheese, French fries, and fruit would be delicious. What do you think, Mommy?” he asks.
“That does sounds delicious.”
Chance and I make dinner together while Ava watches from her perch on the kitchen counter. While I’m cutting up some fruit, I look up at Chance who is cooking the grilled cheese.
He looks down at me and smiles. “What is it?” Concern is written all over his face.
“I just wanted to… I mean, I just wanted to tell you I love you, and I’m sorry if that scares you. Please don’t think I’m pressuring you to say it back, but I wanted you to know.” My heart hammers away in my chest because he’s completely silent.
Oh God, I’ve screwed this up. I should’ve kept how I felt to myself. He’s going to kick us out any minute. I move toward Ava, but Chance grabs my arm. I keep my back to him—afraid to look
