Page 70 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

“Right. Let’s knock this out and eat their incredible dessert.”

“You got a deal. I hope you have some whipped cream at home because we’re not done. If I have my way, it’s going to be a stickie afternoon.”

My face grows warm. I look at him through hooded eyes and I see lust in his eyes.

“Is that a fact?”

“Damn right, it is!”

“Well, okay,” I reply as I hastily bend and begin to pick the plants. He gives my ass a playfulslap and I yelp.

I hear the front door open before I see him.

Jake makes good on his promise and after we spend an hour in bed, he suggests we shower to wash off remnants of whipped cream.

I pick Ellie up from school and as soon as we get home she races through the door to find Jake. When she does, she drags him into the kitchen. The two converse in whispers as I unload Ellie’s backpack and check her school papers.

After they break apart, Ellie says, “You have to help me, Jake! Aunt Sam isn’t allowed to help.”

I blink. “Wait, what?”

Ellie spins toward me, hands on her hips, looking every bit like a tiny general. “Jake and I are making dinner. You have to leave until we say it’s ready.”

I glance at Jake, who just shrugs. “Orders from the boss,” he smirks, nodding toward Ellie.

I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly is dinner?”

Ellie beams. “It’s a surprise!” Then, she puts a finger on her chin as if she’s deep in thought. “We’re pretending we’re explorers in the jungle!”

A slow, reluctant smile tugs at my lips. I should have known.

Jake watches me carefully, waiting for my reaction. Even though we appear to be okay, I know I hurt him. And now we’re going through the process of trusting each other again. And there’s something in his eyes. Is it an invitation, or a dare? Either way, I see it for what it is—a test.

Maggie’s voice echoes in my head: “You have to compromise, Sam—or you’re going to lose him.”

I inhale deeply, then exhale. Box breathing is what the shrink taught me after Ellen’s death. Just relax, Sam. It will befine. The world won’t end if I give control to the two of them for an evening. What’s the saying? Nothing ventured is nothing gained?

“All right,” I say, raising my hands in surrender. It’s harmless enough. I can be a sport about it. “I’ll go. But if my kitchen catches fire, you’re both grounded.”

Ellie giggles as Jake grins at me—and it appears I passed the test because the tension in the room shifts.

Maybe this is Ellie’s way of soothing over her tantrum yesterday. Or perhaps she’s a peacemaker. She doesn’t want Jake to leave, either. I’m envious of her social skills and carefree ways. It makes me wonder if I’ve always been this serious.

I ask Jake to watch Ellie and I walk to the Dragonfly Inn to check in with the elderly woman who is working it today. We’re busy with couples this time of year. The summer will bring a plethora of visitors who will come to see the waterfall and visit the beaches.

From there, I swing by the restaurant and check to see if Maggie has enough staff without me tonight.

“Sam, what’s up? I didn’t hear from you, so I assume Jake turned up.”

“He did. Safe and sound. You were right, he needed time to regroup.” I pass the event off as if it wasn’t a low point in my life when clearly—it was. The dread I felt thinking he had left is something I don’t want to relive. However, I have to prepare for the fact that he’ll be returning to Maine soon.

“Are you okay to handle tonight?”

“Yes. We’re booked but all the staff will be here. Do you have a hot date or something?”

“Ellie has cooked up something.” I pour myself an iced tea and lean against the workstation.

Maggie is cutting vegetables butpauses. “What has she convinced Jake to do now?” She raises an eyebrow in my direction.

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