Page 55 of Damien
Julia shrugs as she looks to me. “I guess you’re notthat old.”
Holy shit. What do I say to that?
Rolling her beautiful hazel eyes, Vanessa sighs heavily. “Well, that’s good to know. Why don’t you finish your meal before Damien thinks better of it and takes us home for being so rude?”
“I’m not offended, but I’m glad to see both of you think I’m anold man,”I say when Vanessa finally makes eye contact, reminding her of our earlier conversations. Thankfully, she smiles at the memory. “I’m sure I’m old—compared to someone her age. I used to think my teacher who was thirty was practically a senior citizen. God, I’m glad I know better—now.”
Vanessa lets out a beautiful laugh. “No kidding. Still, Jules, you’d better eat up. It’s almost your bedtime. If you want some of those cookies for dessert, we’d better hurry up.”
By the time we get back to my house, it’s after seven. I could hear Julia’s yawns from the front seat on the way home, but the girl insists she isn’t tired. Since I promised I’d share my cookies when we get back to my house, Julia’s doing all she can not to fall asleep. She insisted that her mom blast the music and sang at the top of her lungs to Lady Gaga, Adele, and Maroon 5. Even tired, the girl behind me is adorable.
When we make it inside, you’d never know she was sleepy mere moments ago. Vanessa insists she sit at the coffee table to keep the crumbs over the table and not on my floor. I could care less. That’s what brooms are for, but I won’t interfere with Vanessa’s parenting.
Eventually, Vanessa excuses herself to use the restroom, and I’m left on my own with Julia. The minute we’re alone, Julia turns to me with a serious expression. “You like my momma, don’t you?” It’s not a question but an accusation.
Honesty is always best, so I nod as I say, “Yeah. You okay with that?”
Fuck. The approval of a five-year-old has never mattered more than in this moment. What if she says no? I’d never come between Vanessa and her daughter.
After what feels like forever, she slowly nods. “Yeah. It’s okay. But do you like her—as in you want to be her boyfriend? Like Unks and Sydney?” Her expression is a younger version of her mom’s when she’s dead serious.
Knowing I’ll never lie about my feelings about Vanessa, especially to Julia, I admit, “Yeah. You okay with that?”
“Can I meet your grandparents someday?”
Well, that’s out of left field. “Sure. Maybe someday you’ll get to meet my parentsandgrandparents,” I offer. Then I hope like hell I didn’t just lie to her. I have no idea what Vanessa feels, but for the first time in forever, I’m eager for my family to meet the women I’ve never been happier to have in my life.
“Okay. Can I have another cookie?” she asks as if we didn’t just have the most serious conversation in the world.
“Uh… one more. Then you’ll have to wait for your mom, ‘mkay?”
By the time Vanessa returns, you’d never know her daughter just gave me the what for mere moments ago.
“Okay, squirt. We need to get you home. We both have to be up early. Let’s say goodbye to Damien and get on the road.”
As soon as I stand to walk them out, Julia surprises me by bolting in my direction and launching herself at me. Her arms fly around me like a spider monkey, and she nearly squeezes the breath out of me. “Night, Dame.”
“Night, Jules,” I whisper when my breath returns as she releases me. Then I turn to Vanessa who looks mystified, yet I can’t entirely read her expression as she blinks at us a few times before shaking her head. “Can I walk you out?” I offer so she can get Julia home to bed.
Julia grabs my hand and says, “Yes.” Then she pulls me toward the door.
“Okay, then.” I chuckle, following after her.
After helping Julia in the car, I walk around the car to help Vanessa with her door. Wishing I could kiss her goodbye, it takes everything in me to keep things at a G-rated level. “Night, Van,” I whisper. “I had a great time. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Can’t wait,” Vanessa mouths in return as I shut the door, and she rolls down her window.
Then loud enough for both to hear, I duck into her SUV and say, “Thanks again for the cookies. See you later, Jules.”
As I watch them drive off, an indescribable feeling spreads throughout my chest. There’s a tightness I’ve never felt before. One thing I do know, I can’t wait to see what tomorrow night brings.
The next night,I’m folding laundry when there’s a knock on my door, I practically run to get it from my bedroom.
“Coming!” I holler, racing to the door.
Breathless, I swing the door open and what little breath I had left in me vanishes as my jaw drops to the floor. Vanessa’s there gorgeous as ever. She’s done something to her hair, so it flows in waves past her shoulders. She’s wearing a fitted black top and a pair of skinny jeans that do nothing but make me notice her sexy figure. When my perusal returns to her face, I notice she’s wearing makeup. Her eyes are lined perfectly to accent the depth of the color of hazel in her irises. Her lips are painted a beautiful shade of pink, slightly darker than her natural color, and the way she grins makes me want to kiss it right off her.
“Hey?” comes out as a question, and I want to smack myself for staring.
