Page 13 of Adored By Jonah

“You’re welcome.” He says, then comes back to the kitchen. “I got you a coffee. I guessed with the cream and sugar.” He winces.

“And you’d be right,” I say. Grabbing some paper plates and napkins I bring them to the table and take a seat next to Gracie.

Jonah sits on the other side of Gracie and holds the box out to her so she can pick. Once she picks one with pink frosting and heart sprinkles he holds the box out to me where I grab a jelly-filled and a french cruller. I watch as he grabs four and puts them on his plate.

“Woah. Jonah, be careful. Your belly is going to hurt if you eat too many,” Gracie says staring at his plate with wide eyes.

I cover my mouth when I laugh. She’s too grown sometimes.

“You’re right. Thank you, Ms. Gracie.” He says, putting one donut back.

Satisfied that Jonah won’t suffer a bellyache, Gracie takes a bite from her donut, getting pink frosting all over her face. There’s no point in cleaning her up until she’s finished or I’d be cleaning her up after every bite. Instead, I relax and enjoy my sweet treats. By the time Gracie is finished with her donut, she’s covered in frosting and even has some in her hair.

“Can I go watch my show mommy?”

“Hold on, let me clean you up,” I say, about to stand.

“You’re still eating, let me,” Jonah says, walking to the kitchen sink. He grabs a few paper towels and wets them before coming back to the table and wiping Gracie’s face and hands.

“Thank you. Can I go now?” Gracie smiles at me.

When I nod, she jumps out of her chair and runs to where she was snuggled up earlier to watch Strawberry Shortcake.

“You’ve done a great job with her,” Jonah says, nodding at Gracie who is singing along with the theme song.

“It’s all her. She’s been an angel since the day she was born.”

“I can see that. What do you have going on today?”

“It’s Sunday. We usually just relax around the house and prepare for the week ahead.”

“You’re one of those type A, stick to the schedule types, aren’t you?”

I shrug. “I guess so. It’s more out of necessity. I can’t stand chaos. When everything is in its place things go smoother.”

“So when I showed up this morning out of the blue…”

“It was a happy surprise,” I try.

“Liar,” He laughs.

Grinning I tilt my head to the side. “I’ll admit, it threw me for a few minutes. I might have run around like a crazy person trying to get ready before you got here.”

Jonah covers my clasped hands with his. “You look beautiful by the way.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Jonah, I’m a hot mess, but thank you.”

“Sweetheart, you’re more beautiful every time I see you.”

“Now I know you’re lying,” I say, pulling away self-consciously.

“Every time I see you, I notice something about you that I didn’t the last time. You’re a gorgeous woman Maddie, inside and out.”

“You hardly know me.”

“What I know, I love. You’re a devoted mother, a hard worker, and a fantastic kisser. Three incredible qualities in a woman. But that’s not what keeps me coming back for more.”

“Then what is it? I’ve done nothing but try and push you away since the first day we met.”

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