Page 11 of Tangled in His Embrace

“Sorry I’m late. One of the trainers stopped me on the way out and asked if I could help with her website.”

Irrational jealousy surged to the surface as Gabby pictured this unknown woman who most likely didn’t need to worry if the extra belly fat from having a child would spill out of her jeans. It was stupid and not what she should be thinking about at that moment. Or ever, for that matter. Jax wasn’t hers anymore. He could date anyone he wanted.

“Are you all right?” Jax was frowning.

“Fine.” Gabby turned on her heels and marched into the kitchen to get some plates, berating herself the entire way. She needed to get it together. Fast.

“Daddy!”

“Hey, Pumpkin.”

Gabby set the table for the three of them, putting a couple of pieces on Taylor’s plate before setting the box in the center. She’d ordered a large, thinking they’d have leftovers, but that was before she knew Jax would be joining them. When they were dating she remembered times when he would eat an entire pie himself. Hopefully what they had was enough.

Jax strolled into the kitchen with Taylor in his arms and placed her in her seat. He pulled out the chair next to her and lowered himself down.

“What would you like to drink?” Gabby asked Jax as she handed Taylor a sippy cup full of water.

“Water’s fine.” He grinned up at her, their gazes locking for a moment before he refocused on his daughter.

Taylor dominated the dinner conversation. She was excited that her father was there, and because she hadn’t seen him since Sunday, she had to catch him up on everything she’d done. Gabby had to keep reminding her to eat her food.

Jax helped her clean up, gathering the empty pizza box and napkins and throwing them in the trash while Gabby rinsed the plates and cups and loaded them into the dishwasher. It all felt very normal, comfortable. If only the butterflies that were dancing in her stomach would calm down.

While they were waiting on the pizza to arrive, Gabby and Taylor had opened all the boxes and untangled the lights.

“Hmm. Where should we start?” Jax asked, rubbing his chin as if he was contemplating some great mystery.

Taylor giggled. “With the tree. With the tree.”

He hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. “Of course. What was I thinking?”

Gabby shook her head, laughing despite her anxiety. He was so good with Taylor and it was clear to see how much his daughter adored him.

It took them over an hour to put up the tree, decorate it, and set out all the other decorations Gabby had stuffed in the boxes, but by the time they were done her entire house had been transformed. She’d even put up lights along the mirror in the bathroom.

As the evening wore on, Taylor began to slow down. “Time to get your pj’s on.”

Taylor shook her head even as she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. “Not tired.”

“Come on, Pumpkin. Let’s get you ready for bed and I’ll read you a story before I go. How about that?” Jax said.

“Okay.” Taylor slid off the couch and took hold of her father’s hand before guiding him toward her room.

He sent Gabby a look. She wasn’t sure if it was an apology or a look of resignation.

Gabby began gathering the empty boxes and stacking them inside one another. She’d store them in the closet until it was time to take the decorations down. It was easier than dragging them back up into the attic. She was sure Jax would do it for her if she asked, but that wasn’t something she wanted to do. The sooner he left her house the better.

***

Jax tucked his daughter in her bed and leaned in to give her a kiss good night.

“Daddy?” Taylor stared up at him with blue eyes so like her mother’s.

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

A wave of emotion made it hard to swallow. “I love you, too, Pumpkin. Now get some sleep. You have preschool tomorrow.”

---