Page 62 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
“Maybe she was busy with something important and just stressed. Adults have a lot to do, and sometimes they say things they don’t really mean. No one’s perfect—not even us grown-ups. We make lots of mistakes. We’re still learning, just like you as a child,” Kim explains lovingly.
“You make mistakes too?” Rosie asks, surprised.
“Oh yes. I wished my best friend a happy birthday on March fourth, but her birthday wasn’t until April third. I got the dates mixed up and wrote it down wrong. But we laughed about it, and in the end, she got two gifts.”
Of course, that grabs Rosie’s attention. Giggling, she asks, “Two gifts? If you forget my birthday, I’d be okay with you giving me two too.”
“When will you turn five?” I ask her.
Rosie has to think for a moment and looks at me inquisitively.
“Don’t you remember the date?”
Rosie murmurs after a moment, “I have a birthday in January. Hmm. I think… the second?” I nod, and Rosie beams. “January second!”
“Okay. I’ll try to remember that.”
“But it’s not a big deal if you forget. I’ll be happy to get a second gift as sorry.”
Rosie is completely distracted, then looks at me again. She taps on the book page and insists, “Don’t stop reading. Kim doesn’t know the story yet.”
“That’s right. Please keep reading. I really need to know what happens,” Kim says eagerly.
I nod and stretch my arm behind the pillow so I can touch Kim’s neck. I move a bit closer this way, and Rosie can better admire the book and its colorful pictures.
Kim looks at me and smiles shyly. I notice her cheeks turning slightly red.
Is that because of me?
“Princess Sunflower and Princess Tulip ran excitedly to Princess Rose…” I read aloud.
“See? She has the same name as me,” whispers Rosie excitedly.
I’d say the situation is saved.
For now.
Rosie falls asleep during the reading and Kim turns on the small nightlight so we can sneak out. The door stays slightly ajar, as usual, and the main hallway light stays on for now. Sometimes Rosie still wakes up and wants a drink, so this way she won’t get lost or scared in the dark.
Kim and I return to the kitchen.
“Did I react correctly?” she asks, somewhat agitated. Only now do I notice how unsure she really is. She looks helpless as she’s pacing back and forth, shaking her hands and fighting back tears.
Chapter 15
Kimberley
When Gabriel touched the back of my neck earlier, warmth rushed through me so strongly I could hardly follow the story he was reading.
Honestly, I can’t even say what it was about — he didn’t finish anyway, since Rosie was already asleep.
But even if it had been just a single line, I wouldn’t have been able to focus. Feeling his fingertips — sometimes his whole hand — resting there, I could only think about him. About his strong warm hand, against my neck. That gentle touch from this man who drives me crazy in two completely different ways.
On one hand, he’s mischievous — I’m always bracing for the next prank behind his kindness. On the other, he has this tender, unexpected side that knocks me off balance every time. Add to that the butterflies in my stomach, the way my heart races whenever he looks at me. Or touches me.
By the time we reach the kitchen, it all bursts out of me: "I didn’t know what to say." My body feels hot, my heart pounding, tears threatening. I look to Gabriel, desperate. He looks back at me, surprised.
"You didn’t say anything wrong," he says softly, with a sweet smile. He steps closer, lays a hand on my back, and strokes gently while I fidget, overwhelmed. And just like that, warmth spreads through me.
