Page 4 of The Greatest Gift

But then I decide to break the ice. “I remember you, you know. From high school.”

Nakul’s eyebrows raise in surprise, a hearty chuckle coming from him. “Yeah? You and I didn’t exactly run in the same circles.”

“No, I guess we didn’t,” I admit, a faint smile crossing my face. “But I went to some of the football games. You were one of the all-stars, right?”

He shrugs, his gaze dropping to his plate. “Something like that. Feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?” Nakul almost seems embarrassed of those days as if they didn’t carry the same excitement that I believed they would.

“Yeah,” I agree, both of us falling into silence again, memories drifting between us. “So, what do you do now?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“I work at Hanson Contracting,” he says, his voice a bit quieter. “Mostly construction projects, some renovations. Keeps me busy.” I would have thought he ended up on a professional team somewhere or at least as a coach. It seems that even time is our enemy when it comes to things. Nakul lays down his fork and leans back in his chair, studying me for a few moments. It’s an intense stare as if he’s trying to unpack me. “And you? Where did you end up?”

“Riocen Chemicals as an accountant. I had my own gig for a bit and then Ava ended up pregnant with Stevie so I needed something a little bit more… stable.” I would never trade my baby girl for the entire world but Ava’s actions set me off course. Not that my idea of running my own firm would have worked but I couldn’t even experiment with Stevie in the picture. I didn’t want to chance my finances when she deserved the entire world.

I’m not even sure why I told Nakul that just now.

His eyes widen, a flicker of recognition before he glances at Stevie who is hands deep in meatballs and sauce. “You’re balancing that with all this? Jesus Christ.”

“Barely but Stevie makes it worth it.”

I sigh as Stevie lets out a giggle, a sound so pure and free that it warms my heart. I gesture toward the napkins sitting beside Nakul and he grabs one to lay it on Stevie’s tray. Her entire face lights up as she whispers ‘thank you’ and then proceeds to bury her face in the napkin. Of course, that makes it worse, Nakul and I laughing at the sauce now spread around her face.

I retrieve a washcloth from the sink and wet it before wiping her down as Nakul stands and gestures to the tray. “Are you done, sweetie?” My entire body freezes as I pull away, waiting for Stevie to acknowledge him, to respond. Other than the few people who have babysat her in emergencies or my own family, no one has shown Stevie that kind of endearment.

It’s my fault for keeping her so close to me but there’s always a little disdain when people see I’m a single father. The tight looks, the ‘aw, where’s her mother’ questions. It never ends. But Nakul isn’t looking at me and Stevie like that.

Stevie looks down at the mess left on the tray and then nods, giving Nakul a full smile. “Yes. All done. Thank you.”

Nakul lightly pats her shoulder and then picks the tray up from the table before walking it to the sink. He doesn’t even say anything as he washes it off. It’s such a small thing but it means everything to me. By the time he returns with the tray, dried off too, I hand Stevie a few slices of apple from the fridge and take my seat again.

“You’re good with her,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “You’d make a great dad.” My cheeks heat but it only makes it worse with Nakul’s response.

His expression changes slightly, a shadow passing over his expression and I instantly regret saying anything. “I, uh… I can’t have kids,” he mumbles, his gaze dropping to his plate just after I catch a pang of guilt in those eyes.

I pat my lips a few times, silently punishing myself for going down a road that neither of us is ready for. “I’m sorry,” I say, not sure what else to say. “I didn’t mean to—”

He shakes his head, cutting me off. “It’s alright. Just… life, I guess. You think you’re going one way and then suddenly everything shifts. Besides, I offered that information.” He forces a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “For some reason, it’s easy to talk to you.”

I feel the same way. I’m always so on guard with Stevie but Nakul’s presence feels more comfortable here than strange. We lapse into silence again until a squeal and then a cheer interrupts us.

Stevie has her hands raised. “Daddy, all done!” The widest smile is on her face as she kicks her legs, showing that all of the food is gone. Her little curls bounce on top of her head as I free her from the confines of the booster seat.

“Just give me a few minutes, Nakul.”

“No worries. I’ll be right here.”

It feels like a promise rather than just words as I head down the hall. Stevie clings to me as I help her brush her teeth and then I tell her to pick out her favorite jammies. There are three choices, all of them with sparkles and snowmen. It doesn’t matter the time of year, those are the only ones she wants to wear.

“Red!” Stevie squeals as she stands beside her bed. She waits patiently as I shuffle through the drawer, instantly hating that I didn’t do laundry last night. In the next second, she changes her mind to pink which is just my luck. I help her into the little dress, Stevie giving me a playful twirl before climbing into the bed.

I don’t even have to remind her as she reaches to the little stand next to her bed and grabs the silk bonnet my older sister bought for her. She slips it on and then looks at me before throwing two thumbs up. “All done!”

A chuckle rumbles through me as I lean down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Yes, baby. All done.”

“I like the man with the kind eyes.”

“His name is Nakul.”

“Na—ool?”

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