I don’t know what to say to respond to that so I give her a quick hug and make sure she’s comfortable while I go to the kitchen to get something ready for her — and make myself another cup of coffee while I’m there.
Zoey hasn’t been eating that great since the morning after Chris died but she’ll eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so that’s what I make her for breakfast along with a cup of diced pears.
When I return, she’s grabbed a blanket out of a basket on the floor and looks like she’s ready for a cartoon marathon. I set down a small cup of milk on the end table and place her food on her lap.
She grins at me and pats the space next to her.
“Don’t mind if I do.”
I sit next to her and put my feet on the coffee table and take half of the sandwich she offers me. I’ll make her another one but her little hand flipping a peanut butter and jelly in my direction as her eyes stay glued to the television is too freaking adorable to ignore.
I throw an arm over the back of the couch, coffee cup resting dangerously between my legs, as the two of us watch Tom relentlessly chase Jerry around a house. Zoey’s little giggle, even with a mouth stuffed full of sticky peanut butter and grape jelly, is the perfect way to start my day.
Addy comes walking around the corner, looks at us, to the TV, and back to us. Her eyes soften and then her bottom lip pouts. “Well, this isn’t fair. I don’t wanna go to work, either!”
Zoey doesn’t even acknowledge her, she’s too captivated by the shenanigans happening on the screen.
“Sucks to be you,” I tease, making a big show of how excited I am to spend the day with Zoey doing whatever the heck we feel like.
“Seriously.” She rolls her eyes and moves around the back of the couch, sliding a hand along my neck as she goes to her daughter. That simple touch shouldn’t do what it does to me, but my body never got the memo that Addy’s off limits. Addy leans over and kisses Zoey good morning. I can’t stop my eyes from following the length of her sexy as fuck legs. I’ve imagined them wrapped around my waist more times than I can count. Wrapped my hand around myself to the image I can conjure up so easily. Too easily.
The light wash jeans she’s wearing fit her so perfectly and I have to fist my hands next to my thighs to stop myself from reaching out and cupping her ass. Her t-shirt is nothing extraordinary; a simple grass green that’s not too tight and not too loose. Damn, there’s something about the way that she always dresses that is such a turn-on for me. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise since she only needs to smile for me to get turned on — but the thing is, there’s nothing particularly sexy about her choice of clothing. Jeans, leggings, t-shirts, and hoodies. No short skirts, plunging necklines, or sky high heels. It’s more about the confidence she carries. Or maybe it’s just the fact that I find her more beautiful and sexier than anyone else in the world.
“Mommy!” she huffs. “I’m busy!” Zoey protests as she shifts so she can see the TV. We laugh at Zoey’s little growl when Addy pauses the program and she lifts her hands in the air in surrender.
“Sorry. Goodness. I just need your attention for a minute then you can go back to your show, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
“I have to go into work for a little bit today. What would you say about hanging out with Uncle Beau while I’m gone?”
“Yeah!” she cheers, shimmying a little, showing her excitement.
Addy chuckles. “Sounds like a yes to me.”
“Maybe we can go swimming at Daddy’s house!”
Addy and I both freeze, staring at Zoey. I hadn’t thought she’d want to go back to Chris’s house. The idea of it turns my stomach, knowing that’s where he took his last breath. “I don’t think it’ll work today, Squirt. Maybe another time?”
“Why not?”
Luckily, just as I open my mouth to come up with some sort of lie, thunder booms outside. “That’s why.”
“Ahh, man! Oh, well, we can do other fun stuff.”
Nodding, I tell her, “We sure can. I’m sure Grandma and Papa want to see you, too.”