First Comes Love

  “Peanut butter and jelly! Can Daddy eat too?”

  “Sure. Is peanut butter and jelly okay for you?”

  “That sounds perfect,” he said, a sweet grin curving his lips.

  “How about we pack a picnic and go to the park?”

  “Yeah!” Mia cheered.

  They stood at the counter, Mia on her stepstool, and Jeremy to her left as they made a PB&J assembly line. Once they packed a canvas bag with juice boxes, food, and a blanket, she called Trixie and hooked her to her leash.

  Jeremy placed his hand over hers, smiled, and relieved her of the bag. They walked together, as a family. Kat held Trixie’s leash in one hand and Mia’s hand in the other. Jeremy’s held their daughters other hand and carried the picnic bag. As they walked Mia sang and pulled herself off the ground, swinging from their arms.

  It was amazing how natural the three of them adapted. There was nothing traditional about how their family started, but in that moment they looked as normal as a Hallmark card. Something about the way he looked at Mia—with such fascination and pride—made her believe Jeremy was there to stay.

  At the park, they set up their blanket and ate. Jeremy never tired of all Mia’s questions and requests, which was no easy feat.

  “Mia, stop feeding Trixie,” Kat repeated for the tenth time.

  “She’s hungry.”

  Kat sighed and Jeremy laughed.

  Shoving a large bite of bread in her mouth and leaving a smear of jelly on her cheek, Mia turned to Jeremy and asked, “Are you and Momma married?”

  “Uh…” He nervously looked at Kat, unsure how to answer.

  She smiled. She’d been answering difficult questions since Mia could talk. Let him tackle this one.

  “No. Your mother was my girlfriend a long time ago.”

  “Did you kiss her?”

  Jeremy blushed and she silently laughed as she sipped from her juice box. He sent her a look of panic that playfully promised retribution. “Yes,” he finally answered and his blush crested over his defined jaw.

  “Then you used to be married?”

  “Um, no…” The pleading look he sent Kat was absolutely pathetic.

  She laughed and rolled her eyes. Taking a long, dramatic breath, she announced, “Look, Mia, Geese!”

  Mia quickly turned and bolted off the blanket, chasing the squawking birds toward the field.

  Jeremy turned. “Thanks for that.”

  “Hey, you wanted to see what it’s like having a three-year-old.”

  Mia chased the geese. After several minutes he said, “She really is incredible. You did a wonderful job with her, Kat. Thank you.”

  Not many people complimented her parenting, so his praise was nice to hear.

  When they returned home, they played Hungry Hippos. For dinner, they ordered a pizza and watched Cinderella. Mia asked if Jeremy could sleep over, but he thankfully told her he couldn’t.

  He helped Kat tuck her in and then he offered to read her a bedtime story. Mia chose Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

  “We’re like the three bears, Daddy.”

  Jeremy paused and smiled at her, brushing a hand affectionately over her strawberry curls. “Yeah,” he answered, voice cracking. “I guess we are.”

  After the story Kat kissed her goodnight.

  “I want a kiss from Daddy too.”

  Leaning in gradually, he pressed his lips to Mia’s forehead and shut his eyes. Her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed as he slowly embraced her little body.

  Standing by the door, Kat’s heart pounded, emotion tightening her throat as he held their daughter in his arms for the first time. As her vision blurred, she turned and left the room, busying herself with clearing the table.

  Scooping up the marbles from the game, Jeremy came over to help. His hand brushed hers as they chased the marbles with their fingers and they stilled. A moment of awkwardness passed, perhaps charged with a long forgotten familiarity or the gratitude of an unforgettable day. Drawing back her hand, she looked away.

  “I can’t tell you how much today meant to me, Kat.”

  She smiled at him and folded a dishcloth. “I’m glad.”

  “Can I see her again?”

  “I think Mia would be upset if you didn’t see her again. I guess we should set up some kind of schedule.”

  “What if I wanted to take her somewhere? Would that be okay?”

  Don’t freak out. “Sure, as long as you had a car seat and I could check in with her.”

  “Of course,” he agreed. “How about next Friday? I could even keep her over night to give you a break?”

  Way too soon! “Can I think about it?” She was still adjusting.

  “Of course. Well, I better go. Thank you for what was probably the best day of my life.”

  “You’re welcome. I know Mia had a great time.” She walked him to the door.

  He placed his hand on the knob. “You’re a wonderful mom, Kat. What you have with Mia, it’s really special. I…there isn’t a lot that impresses me about people these days, but you… you impress me.” He kissed her cheek, pulling away before she had time to react to the unexpected gesture.

  Letting out an unsteady breath, a smile wobbled on her lips. “I’ll call you about next Friday.” Kat released a long exhale as he pulled away. As far as expectations went, he’d exceeded them.

  Tyson walked out of the hotel bathroom in a towel and a cloud of steam. Seeing he had a missed call, he pressed the button on his cell for voicemail.

  “Hey, babe. It’s me. I guess you’re busy with work and meetings. I miss you. Today…today was good. I have a lot to tell you when you get back. I’m going to bed in a little bit, but if you get this before it’s too late give me a call. I love you.”

  She sounded good and that made him happy, despite his lingering anxiety that another man was encroaching on his territory. No matter what, he wanted what was best for both Mia and Kat.

  Checking the time, he stilled, as there was a knock at the door. He frowned, unsure who it could be at this hour. Opening the door, he mentally groaned. Imani draped against the doorjamb in a low cut red dress, two glasses and a bottle of champagne dangling from her hands.

  “Well, looks like I picked the right time to drop by. I figured we could celebrate a job well done.” She pushed past him and sauntered into the room.

  Tyson turned, leaving the door open.

  Purposely acting obtuse, she ignored his unwelcoming stance, and proceeded to pop the cork on the bottle of Dom. There was a loud crack followed by an outpouring of sweet scented mist. She grinned triumphantly. “I love that sound.”

  “Imani, what are you doing here?”

  “I told you. I thought we could celebrate.” Bending, she filled the glasses.

  “It’s inappropriate for you to be in my hotel room.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Since when? It isn’t like I haven’t seen you in a state of undress before. Although I must say, my memory hasn’t done you justice. Have you been working out?”

  “You have to go,” he said firmly, still standing at the open door.

  Ignoring his request, she pressed a glass into his bare chest and let go. His hand quickly caught the flute before it dropped. Reaching past his side, she pushed the door closed.

  The smooth skin of her long neck tightened as she took a generous sip from her glass. “Mmmm. I love good champagne.”

  “Imani—”

  “Oh, Tyson, lighten up. When did you get so old and boring? We’re adults. Have a drink and relax.”

  “I don’t need a drink.”

  “That’s your opinion.”

  “I need you to go.”

  She emptied her glass and placed it on the table with a frosty clink. “Tyson, Tyson, Tyson. Don’t you understand when someone offers you something you say thank you and accept it gracefully? You’re going to need to brush up on those social skills. Shall I give you a lesson?”

  “I’m in a relationship, Imani.”

>   “Since when? I don’t see anyone here, but you and me. Any woman that lets a man like you out of her sight for more than a day is a fool if you ask me.”

  “Thanks for the champagne, but you need to go.” He opened the door and sent her an expectant look.

  Her red dress slid off her ebony shoulders and fluttered to the ground. Long black limbs stretched as she curved her shoulders, drawing his attention to her dark breasts.

  Irate, he quickly shut the door. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Come on, Tyson. You know we’re good together. We’re both successful people used to swimming in an ivory pool. We understand what the other needs and know how to provide it. You can’t deny that we make sense together.”

  “Maybe at one time you were what I wanted, what I was willing to settle for, but that’s all changed now.”

  “Are you saying you’re not attracted to me?”

  “Imani, you’re an impressive woman, but you’re not for me. I want different things.”

  “And what is it this woman provides for you that I can’t?”

  He looked her directly in the eye. “Love.”

  Imani was a lot of things, but first and foremost she was a realist. For her to claim she would ever love anything more than her career would be a boldfaced lie.

  She laughed without humor. “You love her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well… she must be something quite special.”

  Offering her a reprieve, he turned. Fabric whispered as she dressed. Glass clinked softly as she gathered her flute and the champagne. “It’s a shame, Tyson. We could have had something good.”

  He didn’t need something good. He already had something great. “Goodnight, Imani.”

  With a regretful, humbled tilt of her eyes, she sashayed out the door. He sighed and went to find his phone.

  “Unbelievable!” Jade said, sipping her coffee. “I can’t believe Jeremy’s back. What does Tyson think of all this?”

  Kat gave her a satirical look. “Tyson hasn’t met him yet.”

  “Well, that should be interesting. Two men, one tall, dark, and handsome, the other blonde, green eyes, and…” She paused. “Hey, what does Jeremy look like now?”

  She snorted. “Not like he did in high school, that’s for sure.”

  “Really? Is he cuter?” Jade asked, scooting forward in her chair.

  “He’s, um, older.”

  “We’re all older, Kat.”

  “I know, but he’s—I don’t know. Different. He’s bigger. He’s a man now.”

  “I bet he’s ripped from being in the military. He is, isn’t he?”

  “He definitely isn’t scrawny.”

  “How not scrawny? Like Tyson?”

  “I would actually say he’s bigger than Tyson.”

  “Well, it looks like we need a little high school reunion once you get things settled with Mia. I was always pissed I ended up with Nick when you got Jeremy.”

  “Oh, come on, Jade! You never liked Jeremy. Nick was just a tool. Besides, if you dated Jeremy, you might have a three-year-old now. Then what would you do with yourself?” she laughed.

  “Honey, I never would’ve gotten pregnant. I may not always play hard-to-get, but I’m always prepared. I learned that from the Boy Scouts.”

  “How many Boy Scouts?”

  Jade smirked. “Enough.”

  The door opened. “Momma, I put my crayons back in the box. Can I come out now?”

  “Sure, baby.”

  “Hey you, come over here and give me a hug,” Jade said and Mia skipped into her arms. “Oh, you’re getting so big! When are you coming to stay at my house again?”

  “How ‘bout today?” Mia asked.

  “Well, I’m busy today, but soon. Okay?”

  “Okeydokey!”

  Kat stood and took Jade’s coffee cup.

  “Well, I better get going. I have a full day ahead of me.”

  “Thanks for the caffeine fix.”

  “Anytime.” Jade grabbed her purse. “Keep me posted on the ex-lover meets new saga.”

  “Don’t call him my ex-lover. You know we were never that serious.”

  “True. Huh, isn’t it weird you suddenly have more men in your life than I do?”

  Kat snorted, following her out to her car. “Doubtful.”

  “Yeah, maybe not.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Sugar rush in full effect, Mia ran to the window and yelled, “Tyson!”

  Kat opened the door and he scooped Mia into his arms and kissed her. Moving her to his hip, he drew her into a hug. “Ah, there’re my girls.” He kissed Kat’s head. “I missed you guys!”

  Trixie came barreling out of the back room. Placing Mia on her feet, he bent and did some not so manly talking to the dog. “There’s Daddy’s beautiful lady. Who was a good girl?”

  After doting over Trixie long enough to be forgiven for leaving, he turned and smiled. “I’m starved. What do you say I take you two lovely ladies out to lunch?”

  Mia cheered and then added, “Tyson, I have a daddy!”

  “I heard.” He sent Kat a sidelong glance and winked.

  She smiled, grateful he was taking Jeremy’s arrival in stride. “If we’re going out, I need to do my hair.” She left the two of them to catch up.

  Kat was finishing up her makeup when Mia yelled, “Grandpa!”

  Surely, she’d misheard. Her father never came to her home. Walking into the kitchen, she stilled. Sure enough, her father was hugging Mia. Standing, he shook Ty’s hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Tyson.” His gaze found hers and he sadly smiled.

  “Daddy, what are you doing here?”

  “I have a daddy too, Grandpa!” Mia proudly added.

  “Can’t a grandfather come visit his granddaughter?” A bit more forlornly, he said, “And his daughter.”

  She stared at him, at a complete loss.

  Tyson cleared his throat. “Come on, Mia. What do you say you help me take Trixie home? I’m sure she misses her doghouse. Plus, I have presents for you and your mom from Washington.”

  “Presents!” She followed Tyson and Trixie out of the house and Kat was left standing in the kitchen with her father.

  “If this is about Mom…” she began, thinking that must be his reason for coming there.

  “This has nothing to do with your mother,” he calmly said. “I missed Mia. She hasn’t been over in a few weeks and that’s far too long to go without seeing her. I missed you too, Katherine.”

  What?

  “I heard about what happened at your mother’s birthday. That Price kid’s a shit. I don’t know why your mother insisted on pushing him on you. Kid’s got more money than sense.”

  Who was this man? She stood, speechless. After a long moment of awkward silence, she cleared her throat. “I thought you wanted the match.”

  “I want you to be happy, Katherine.” He grumbled something under his breath she didn’t quite catch. “Anyway… Next week’s your birthday. Why don’t you join us for dinner? I can have the cook prepare that white chocolate mousse stuff you like.”

  “What about mom?” Vivian wouldn’t tolerate being usurped.

  “Your mother’s had her way long enough. You leave her to me. And bring that Adams fellow. I’d like to see what kind of man’s spending so much time with my daughter and granddaughter.”

  She blinked. Had there been some sort of alien invasion she was unaware of? Because this man was not her father. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” He studied her for a long moment, her shoulders lowering under the weight of his regard. “You look…different. Happy.”

  “I am happy.”

  “It’s hard knowing, as a father, that I can’t take any credit for that.” For the first time ever, he appeared unsure. “Is he good to you?”

  “Who? Tyson?”

  He nodded.

  “He’s nicer to me than any man has ever been.”

  Her father noticeably winced.
Sometimes the truth hurt. “I deserve that, I suppose.” He took a deep breath. “And you deserve to be happy, Katherine.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  A long moment passed where neither of them seemed to know how to move past the emotionally charged exchange. He shifted, pressing his hands in his pockets and appeared relieved to find his keys. “Right. Well, I’ll let you enjoy your day. I’ll see you next Sunday?”

  “Sure. And you know you’re welcome here anytime.”

  “I might take you up on that invitation.” He nodded, hesitated, and left.

  Would things ever be normal between them? No matter how much she told herself she didn’t need them, she’d always crave that parent-child bond she’d been denied. But there was a huge difference, between wanting something and needing it.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Jeremy called to speak to Mia every night before bed, and with much deliberating, Kat decided it was time for a trial arrangement. Mia would be sleeping at his house that Friday.

  Sharing her daughter was an adjustment, and not an easy one. As she packed Mia’s overnight bag, she continuously reminded herself that this was Mia’s father, and he had a legal right to see his daughter. It was better to handle the process amicably and on her terms, but that meant she had to be flexible and figure out how to co-parent, something she’d never considered being an issue in her life.

  Tyson came over so he could meet Mia’s father. When Jeremy arrived Mia ran into his arms and he scooped her off the ground in a show of affection that was undeniably innocent and paternal. He held her as if she were the most fragile gift in the world and as valuable as sunshine. Kat understood that sort of sentiment. Mia was one of a kind.

  Anxious, she rambled off several precautions. “I packed her pajamas and an undershirt, because it gets colder at night. And there’s a list of her allergies and a copy of her insurance card in the pocket. Her pediatrician’s name is on the back of the card, but you should call me first if anything’s wrong. Unless it’s an emergency, then call 911. She typically goes to bed at eight. Make sure she uses the potty before bed. She’s usually okay with that, but sometimes she needs help wiping when she poops. Her toothbrush’s in the front pocket of her bag. You’ll have to put the toothpaste on the brush for her. She can turn knobs, so make sure you use a deadbolt or a chain on the door. She’s unfamiliar with your place and may wander around if she wakes up in the middle of the night. It would be best to leave a hall light on for her. And I usually—”