Page 19 of Half of My Heart

ChapterEight

A senseof déjà vu washes over me as we approach Jenna’s door the following morning. We’re arriving earlier than expected for our meeting with the lawyers, but I wanted to bring the girls breakfast and Avery her toys that we bought. With my hands full carrying bags, my mother knocks on the door.

A few moments later, Jenna opens it with a surprised look on her face. “Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” Her hair and makeup are done, but she’s not dressed yet and I’m transfixed, watching her hands clutch the lapels of her baby blue satin robe together, careful not to reveal anything. But I know exactly what her body looks like and my mind immediately envisions what’s underneath. I remember running my hands over her silky, smooth body, salivating over her curves that are in all the right places. I lick my lips remembering how her rosy nipples on those luscious breasts of hers would pucker underneath my touch. Remembering her sweet little moans every time I kissed her makes my dick instantly harden.

I shift uncomfortably on my feet and will myself to focus on her face and not the memory of her body. “I’m sorry for not giving you any warning, but we wanted to surprise you both with treats.”

“Treats? What kind of treats?” Avery’s voice comes from behind Jenna, the pitter-patter of her feet echoing off the wood floors.

“Good morning, Avery.” I greet my daughter with a big smile. Jenna motions for us to enter and we step into the condo. “Do you like hot chocolate?” I ask.

Avery gives me a cheeky lopsided grin, revealing tiny dimples in those cheeks that I just want to kiss. “Yes!” Her eyes light up and she stands on her tippy toes as she answers.

“Do you also like strawberry donuts?”

“Those are my favorite,” she whispers in awe, and I’m pleased to know that we share the same affection for donut flavors.

“Anything with sugar is your favorite,” Jenna replies with a smirk.

“Then I have the perfect breakfast for you,” I tell her with a wink. I put the bags I was holding on the kitchen counter while my mother sets down the drinks she was carrying and retrieves the box of donuts out of one of the bags.

“But I’ve already had breakfast this morning,” Avery announces and looks at her mother with a frown. Her lips start to quiver into a pout, and I can already predict that I will have zero willpower telling this child no for anything she wants. I look at Jenna for help and she chuckles at my helplessness.

“You can have two breakfasts for today, Avery. But just this once.” Jenna has to shout above Avery’s scream of delight.

“Thank you,” I softly tell Jenna. “And if memory serves me correctly, do you still drink a hazelnut latte in the mornings?” I question with a raised eyebrow, praying I got it right.

I watch her swallow and slowly nod. “You are correct. Thank you.” She gives me a hesitant smile before reaching for the coffee I bought her. Our fingers touch when I hand her the drink and I fucking love the cute blush that stains her cheeks.

“Um, if you will excuse me for a moment, I’m going to finish getting ready,” she says, her eyes not meeting my gaze. She turns and asks Robert, “Do you mind entertaining our guests with Avery?”

“Only if I’m allowed to have a donut,” Robert responds, and I hand him the box so he can choose one.

“Thank you,” she says to him, and I watch her walk into her bedroom. She turns around and briefly meets my eyes before shutting her door. I stare at that door for a moment longer, hopeful that soon there will be no more barriers between us. I focus my attention back to Avery, but not before I catch Robert looking at me with a wicked glint in his eye and a knowing grin on his face.

“Avery, who’s that on your jammies?” I ask her just as she takes a huge bite out of her donut.

“Cinderwelly,” she mutters, a big glob of strawberry gooeyness falling out of her mouth and onto her plate.

“Avery, you know your mother always tells you not to talk with food in your mouth,” Robert warns her, giving me a knowing look.

“Is Cinderella your favorite Disney Princess?” My mother asks her when she is done chewing.

“Yes. And Jasmine, and Ariel, and Merida.” She stops to think if she has left anyone out. “And Olaf.”

We all laugh at her answer, and I make a mental note to ask Jenna if Avery’s been to Disney World yet. It would be the perfect first trip together—hopefully as a family.

My mother politely asks Robert about his background while we watch Avery eat. As I’m listening to him recall how he came to work for Jenna, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to see I’ve missed Bridget’s call.

“Robert, is there a room I can take a call in?”

“You can use Jenna’s office.” He nods toward the French doors, and I give him a thumbs up before excusing myself. Once inside, I shut the doors and call my sister back.

“I was able to coordinate both yours and mother’s plane to depart around the same time, so don’t be late,” she says as soon as I greet her.

“My plane? I’m not coming back to London.”

“No shit, you’re going to Los Angeles for the Oscars.”

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