Page 98 of One Unexpected Gift

“I’m so confused.” Sky covered her face with her hands. “You guys are telling me I’m in love with Nick but not to settle into a relationship. You’re making me second guess my career path but telling me I should stay the course.”

“No, we’re not telling you anything.” Charlie held on to Sky’s wrists and lowered her hands from her face. “We want you to look at all your options and not make any sudden decisions based on what you think you should do. Follow your heart.”

“And your head. You have a really good noggin on your shoulders.” Gina tapped Sky’s head.

“Can you guys please tell me what to do? You knew Nick was the father before I even hinted that we’d had a brief affair, and you weren’t surprised when I told you I loved him. Since you’re all-knowing, tell me what to do next.”

“Does Nick know how you feel?” Brooke asked.

Sky shook her head. “I can’t tell him. What if he doesn’t feel the same? Then it will be awkward anytime he comes to visit Gabby.”

“What if he does feel the same?”

That was what Sky was afraid to find out.

***

“Do you think tomorrow night you could do a role reversal?” Nick came up behind Skylar at the kitchen sink and placed a kiss to the back of her bare neck. He liked her hair piled high on top of her head, and her dressed in a comfortable shirt and pajama pants.

It was very domestic. And sexy as hell.

“You want to give Gabby a bath?”

“I mean, I can, but what I’d love to see when I walk through the door after a ten hour day is you naked in the tub.” Gabriella looked up at Nick and splashed her hands in excitement. God, he could get used to coming home to this.

“Lounging in a tub of bubbles, sipping on wine, and eating grapes while I wait for my lover to come home? Okay, I could handle that.”

Lover. Nick wasn’t sure how he felt about the term. Better than fling, not as good as boyfriend. Although, boyfriend wasn’t what he was going for either. The past few weeks had been more than perfect. He rushed through closing, thanking God when they weren’t busy in the middle of November, and sped home hoping Skylar wasn’t asleep.

One night, she’d been conked out on the couch, and he was touched knowing she’d waited up for him. A few other times she’d been asleep in their bed—yes, their bed—the lights still on like she was waiting for him there as well.

Most nights, however, he’d made it home as she was nursing. He’d hop in the shower, and by the time he slipped naked into bed, she had Gabriella down for the night. They’d make love until they were hot and sweaty. Sometimes they’d shower together, other times they fell asleep still joined and showered in the morning.

It seemed when they made love at night, Skylar slept deeper, and he’d be the one to get Gabriella for her three AM feeding. He liked getting up for her, changing her, and having his daughter’s undivided attention. Once she saw Skylar’s breasts, Nick no longer existed. Although, he couldn’t blame her.

Like father, like daughter. Seeing Skylar naked fried his brain as well.

Gabriella giggled and splashed again. Water covered the front of Skylar’s shirt.

“You turkey. You love getting Mommy wet, don’t you?”

“Mm.” Nick nuzzled behind her ear. “Daddy does too.”

“Nick,” Skylar scolded, bumping him with her hip. “How do you manage to make everything sexual?”

“It’s not me, baby. It’s you.” He playfully swatted her butt and then poked his head in the refrigerator.

Even when she ate at her friend’s house, she still made sure there was something for Nick to eat when he got home. He’d told her over and over again he could eat at The Zone, but if they didn’t make a big lunch before he left for work, she ended up making him something for dinner.

“I made a chicken salad. There’s plenty left if you’re still hungry.”

“You didn’t go out with the girls?” It seemed every night she had dinner out or at one of their houses. He liked that she wasn’t cooped up in his house all day long.

“Drew’s back from his two-week signing so Brooke wanted some alone time. Charlie and Owen had Olivia’s parent teacher conferences, and Bryce had a work dinner he took Gina to.”

“I’m sorry.” Nick wrapped his arms around Skylar’s middle and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I would’ve come home earlier if I knew you were all alone.”

“I’m hardly alone.” She tipped her head back and kissed him on the lips. “I have this slippery little naked thing to keep me busy.”

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