Jerry.”
“What?” I laugh.
“We talked about taking this very slow with her, but she devised this whole dinner thing tonight.”
“Okay, you’re confusing me. Let’s start at the beginning.”
He tells me all about the conversation in front of my house, and I laugh so hard I snort.
When he gets serious about why it bothers him, I close my eyes and listen while he steps out of his normal character and rants a bit.
God, I love this man.
“She lost a tooth, Elizabeth, and no one made a big deal about it. She deserves to have a big deal made of her.”
“I agree, but you’re forgetting something very important.”
“What’s that?”
“The Ethan effect. You have a way about you that makes everyone feel special.”
“Only those I love.”
“I bet you’re an amazing doctor.”
“Elizabeth, ye’ve met me in my office. I’m an asshole.”
We both laugh for a good minute when he says, “Tomorrow, I go back to being an asshole.”
“I’m sorry. Coming off a vacation is killer.”
“Not if ye love what ye do,” he states.
“Amen!” I laugh. “I agree totally.”
“I’m glad ye love yer career, Elizabeth.”
“Speaking of, who’s picking Kai up from school?”
“Maryanne.”
“Kai seems to adore her.”
“She’s been part of her life since she began school. She was her aide.”
“And she came to work for you?”
“She’s great for Kai—some consistency. Plus, I pay more, so she’s very happy, too.”
“See? You’re rocking fatherhood and everything else you touch.”
“I’m glad ye approve.” He yawns. “It’s one in the morning, love. I’ve kept you too long.”
Love.
Swoon.
Keep me forever.
“Well, then, sweet dreams.”
Softly, he whispers, “A chuisle mo chroi.”
His Rs roll over me, causing me to moan, and I have no idea what the hell he said, but honestly, it doesn’t matter much at all.
While lying in bed, my phone chimes, and I laugh as I grab it, seeing Ethan’s name.
When I open the text, I see he’s shared his location with me.
I type out a response.
Is this in case you run so I’ll know where to find you?
Ethan: I have yours, you may as well have mine. You have Kai’s, as well. Please understand, Elizabeth, I feel very protective over the ones I love and love me in return.
It’s the end of a very blah Tuesday; pretty sure it has a lot to do with the knowledge that I won’t be seeing Ethan at pick-up, but when Kai walks in with her teacher, Miss Mancy, no doubt skipping recess again, I feel much better.
“Hey, Kai.” I smile, and she smiles back.
Miss Mancy winks. “I think she’d like to hang out and color with you; is that okay?”
“Totally cool with me.” I pat the chair next to me. “Come on in.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kai.”
Kai nods then hurries to the spot on the floor where we shared a lollipop the first day.
“Would you like a lollipop?”
She nods.
“What flavor?”
“Purple,” she whispers then laughs. “Grape, please.”
“Awesome.” I grab two from my stash then head over.
She kicks her legs up, and I decide to join her. We each unwrap our suckers, and then she holds hers out, and I say cheers and tap mine to hers.
After a few minutes of silence, I ask, “Did you have a good day?”
Mid-lick, she nods.
“Cool. Me, too.”
Silence.
“Did you have a good weekend?”
She rolls to her side, props her head up on her elbow, and stares at me.
“Everything okay?”
“Who’s Ben and Jerry?”
It takes a hell of a lot of strength not to laugh after the conversation Ethan shared with me last night, but I get through it. “I’m not sure, but it’s a brand of ice cream.”
She looks at me in confusion.
“It’s hard to explain, like answering who’s Hershey, or who is Burger King. Ben and Jerry’s is the brand name of my favorite ice cream.”
She grins.
“Have you ever tried it?”
“Daddy says you have to have two jobs because you’re addicted to them.”
“Well, it’s not a them. And, because I have all summer with no work, and have a house and a car and food to pay for, I do work two jobs.”
She nods then licks then lies back. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“I don’t. I’m super busy and dating can be difficult when you’re super busy.”
“My dad’s super busy, too.”
I hide my amusement. “Yep, he sure is.”
“But he’s handsome, right?”
“Um, yeah, he is. But more importantly, he’s very nice and clearly treats people he loves well.”
She nods, rolls to her side again, scrutinizes me, licks her lollipop, and then rolls back, looking at the ceiling, and sighs. “I think you should be my daddy’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, wow. Well, that’s an