out too late and I like dating.
I’m twenty-two years old. I’m not ready to settle down. Have a baby. Or be with a man with a baby.
And what happens when he travels? I imagine it being like a single parent during the season.
All the cons crush down on me, wiping out the physical desire for Mikah in an instant.
My imagination is psychotic. I have us touching and then jumping straight to life-changing drama.
Pack away your crazy, Paisley.
Friends. I can give him friends. It’s all we should be.
I am actually thinking of listening to the voice of reason in my brain.
Huh. I suppose there’s a first time for everything.
Chapter Eleven
Mikah
* * *
Something changed. As soon as I touched her, I felt it. That connection. More intense than any spark I’ve ever felt unless I’m lacing up skates and going through my pre-game rituals. More fiery than the thrill of scoring a goal, beating a competitor for the puck on a breakaway.
When I touched Paisley earlier, it felt like waking up from a dream. Seeing everything for the first time.
I saw a future I want. A woman at my side. Helping me. Supporting her. I saw a woman who has such a big heart she’s willing to drop her life to not only help, but cook a meal for a practical stranger. And yet it disappeared once I had Angelo in the carrier.
Angelo is getting drowsy in the carrier, his eyes slowly closing before widening. Repeat. I keep my rhythm of bounce, bounce, step until he becomes limp in the carrier. I’ve learned if I move him too quickly after he falls asleep he wakes right back up.
Paisley is draining the hot water from the noodles and the scent of garlic bread is coming from the oven.
My stomach rumbles and I groan at the smell.
“This is going to be the best meal I’ve ever had.”
“You say that because you haven’t eaten in two days.”
She smirks at me and it’s the first time since she ran from me in the living room she’s even looked at me.
“True.”
She grins before setting the strainer over the hot pot. “As soon as the bread is done, you can eat.”
“We.” I’ve been suspecting she’s going to try to leave as soon as she can.
But she wants to stay. Otherwise she wouldn’t have made such a huge salad and so much bread that I could feed my team.
Something is working in her eyes, but it’s me who should be scared. It’s me who should push her away.
I will not do that.
I like the way my body responds to her too much.
When I was with Angela that weekend, it was for experience. Sure, she’s a beautiful woman and I had no problem being attracted to her. But it was mechanics. Finally having sex, learning, practice.
We both knew the score.
I’ve never touched a woman and had such a heat shoot straight to my groin before.
I want Paisley.
So we’ll start with dinner.
“I should go.” She glances at the door, and the corner of her lip disappears between her teeth. “I have class tomorrow.”
“You said you’d help teach me to bathe Angelo.” I’ll use him if I have to. I doubt she’ll say no to him.
She glances at me and I swear I hear her think. Perhaps she knows what I’m doing.
“Please,” I say. I keep my distance as much as I can. “You cooked this meal. Sit with me, eat, and if you can help with Angelo I would be grateful. I like your company.”
It’s not much. I’m not smooth with women. Or I have never tried to be. The language difference and accent makes it difficult to feel smooth. I still screw up slang sometimes. Or use the wrong word. I feel more likely to be laughed at hitting on a beautiful woman I’m attracted to than getting her attention in a better way. I have not yet had those nerves with Paisley.
Her gentle presence makes it easy to be comfortable and myself.
“Okay.”
Since Angelo is still asleep, I go to my room where I unclip everything the opposite way we put him in. He stays asleep when I put him in the small bed.
Success. I’ve done this. I’m learning quickly.
I brush my finger across his forehead and hold my breath while he squirms. He settles and at the last second, I remember to grab the baby monitor from the nightstand and turn on the one that stays on my nightstand.
Back in the kitchen, Paisley has two settings placed at the