Page 119 of Unexpected Kisses

“You know that cookie dough ice cream I got just for you?”

“Yeah.” A broad smile spreads quickly. She looks up at me. “It’s Mommy’s favowite flavor.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. “My boys love cookie dough ice cream, too.”

“Yeah, well, if you don’t come home, I’m gonna eat all of it. By myself.” He finishes his statement with a lick of his lips, a shrug to his shoulders, and crosses his arms over his broad chest.

Mmhm. Those forearms are something else. I shake my head, drawing myself out of my drool-fest, and frown at him. He really has no idea.

“You wouldn’t do that,” Kenny retorts.

“Try me.” He’s smug in his confidence that this approach is going to work.

Her little hands peel away from my thigh and she takes a step away. Looking up at me, she says, “See ya, Emma.”

Color me surprised. His technique actually worked. She takes his hand and they walk together back to the house next door. She turns back to look at me over her shoulder, offering a wave; he doesn’t give me a second glance. I feel her departure acutely and give her a small wave in return. I can’t help but worry about the gorgeous little girl and her handsome uncle. My need to stop him and check that he’s going to be able to manage is strong, but I tamp it down. I’m going to have to keep busy for the rest of today and tonight to stop myself from constantly wanting to check in on them.

–theo–

I’mgonna have to grow eyes in the back of my head with this kid. I remember Mom used to say she had eyes in the back of her head and I’m already beginning to see why she needed them. Kennedy,Kenny,needs constant supervision. I can see why Dad couldn’t care for her any more with the amount of time he needs for the restaurant. When we lost my sister eight months ago to the same disease which took Mom, I wasn’t sure how Dad would cope until I could move back to take over her guardianship at my sister’s request. I realize now that taking care of Kenny would have kept him so busy, he wouldn’t have had time to think. For such a tiny little thing, she certainly takes up a lot of mental space. Space I’m not used to being filled.

I’m ashamed to admit that Kenny and I don’t even know each other. I’m a stranger to her and now, suddenly, I’m her primary caregiver. I know I was grumpy with her, but I’m not used to having to temper myself. I’m used to a life of solitude. Doing what I want, when I want, without interruption. I’ve never had anything to do with kids and the thought of raising this little girl, of being solely responsible for her, is fucking overwhelming.

I should have taken my sexy neighbor up on her offer to leave Kenny with her, so I could get shit done around here. Her condescending tone and look of disapproval were enough to have me on the defensive and determined to get my niece to come with me. It almost felt like a competition to get her to choose me rather than stay with the stunner next door.

What a knockout!

Those killer curves.

Her eyes; I couldn’t quite tell if they were brown or green, but they were full of fire and incredibly beautiful.

The way Kenny clung onto her thick thigh—which I would love to have wrapped around my head—was enough to make me want to escape her presence before I did or said something to embarrass myself. I shake away the lustful thoughts which are completely inappropriate in the company of my four-year-old niece.

Kenny tugs on my shorts. “Uncle Theo, I’m hungwy.”

I look at the time.Shit!I’ve forgotten to feed the kid. I don’t necessarily eat at the standard times, only when I’m hungry, but I guess little kids need food more often. Considering we ate breakfast at six this morning and it’s now after one, she’s been very forgiving.

“Sure, Kid. Let’s get some lunch.” We head into the kitchen and I unpack the bags of food we picked up on the way over from Dad’s place. We’ve only got basic supplies at this point. “What do you want on your sandwich? I’ve got peanut butter, jelly, cheese, or turkey. I could do grilled cheese. You like grilled cheese?”

“Can I haf peanut butter and jelly, please?”

“Sure thing.” She sits up at the counter, watching me make her sandwich. I slather jelly on one slice of bread and peanut butter on the other slice, then slap them together, chuck it on a plate, and slide it across to her.

Her little nose scrunches up. “You s’posed to cut it.” She slides the plate back to me.

“Sorry. How do you want it cut?” I pick up the knife, ready to do her bidding.

“In four sqwares.” She holds up five fingers and then uses her other hand to hold down her thumb. She’s a cute kid and I think she’s reasonably smart for her age, but I’m not sure since I haven’t had much to do with kids before today. She tilts her head to the side, waiting for me to cut her sandwich and I’m lost in her expression; her mannerisms are so much like my sister’s. A pang hits my chest and the regret of not being here for my sister throughout her battle strikes me hard.

It was too difficult for me to come home. I couldn’t expose myself to my father’s disappointment in me again, and I didn’t want to relive the disease that stole our mother away from us when we were kids.

I cut the sandwich as requested and slide it across the counter. I make a sandwich for myself and fill two large glasses with milk. Maybe I should give her some fruit as well? Kids need to eat a lot of fruit, don’t they? I’m pretty sure that’d be the right thing to do. I slice an apple and put it in a bowl next to her.

As I sit down to eat, Kenny looks at her glass. “Mommy and Pappoús don’t let me dwink fwom a glass.”

Damn it! I’ve done the wrong thing again. “I don’t have plastic cups. Can you be a big girl and be careful?”

She nods, a frown wrinkling her forehead. “I can do that.”

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