Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(11)

I stuck the lid on the mug and set it aside, then took the pen from her and stepped closer.

“I haven’t given my number to a woman in eleven years,” I confessed without any fucking thought at all. My hand froze inches from the paper.

Why the hell did I share that information? Maybe she didn’t hear it…

I looked up. Green eyes stared back at me, widened with full awareness.

I cleared my throat and wrote my number down so fast, it was barely legible. “Can you read that?”

“Yep.”

“Great.” I dropped the pen and pushed the notebook away, exchanging it for the mug and stepping back. “I should get going.” Before I revealed anything else completely irrelevant.

She offered me an easy smile, as if I hadn’t just made this awkward as fuck. “Should I feed her dinner too?” she asked. “What time were you planning on getting back?”

“I never make it home for dinner.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Okay.”

Shit. Is that too late for her? “Is that a problem?” I asked. “Like I said before, it’s only temporary. I won’t be working late once I get someone in there.”

I wondered if she could hear the panic in my voice or see it written all over my face—I was certain it was there—because Jenna recovered so quickly, I wouldn’t have known how she initially reacted to hearing how late I was going to be unless I’d been watching her the way I was doing.

“No, that’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Her smile was carefree.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll make dinner. It’s really not a problem.” She spun around when Marley started whining for more waffles. “Seriously, Nathan. We’ll be fine.”

“All right, great.” Relief lightened my limbs. Noting the time on the stove, I felt around my pockets, making sure I had my keys, cell, and wallet. “I need to head out,” I announced. “If you need anything, just call me.”

Jenna looked up at me, holding on to the grin she was giving my daughter. “I will. Have a great day.”

“Thanks again for this.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“It’s not nothing. It’s…the farthest from nothing. Trust me.” I adjusted my glasses and smiled at her. “I’ll win this argument. Don’t even try it.”

She fought a grin, then mimed zipping her lips.

I was nearly to the door when Jenna called out, stopping me from retreating any further. I turned and watched her rush into the room with Marley on her hip.

“Wait! She didn’t say goodbye.”

I almost laughed. I didn’t believe my daughter cared one way or the other about giving me any send-offs, but then I wondered if maybe I should’ve been the one giving them to her.

Why didn’t I? Shit.

Jenna stopped in front of me, smiled, and coaxed Marley with a “Tell Daddy buh-bye.”

Marley blinked at me with the same eyes as her mother. “Buh-bye, Daddy.”

“Give him a kiss.”

I stared at Jenna. “I don’t think—” My next words got caught in my throat when Marley leaned forward, no hesitation whatsoever, reaching out with one arm and gripping my neck. I pitched closer and bent lower, so fast I nearly knocked into them. Sticky syrup lips smacked on my cheek and smeared. Jenna offered an “oops” as they pulled away and winced like this would bother me, but fuck, I didn’t even care if my daughter got syrup all over my shirt. How could this bother me? It couldn’t.

“Bye, sweetheart,” I said to Marley, then looked at Jenna. My heart pounded against my ribs. “Thank you.”

She gave me a smile before she turned away and left the room.

*



It was just after ten by the time I made it back home that night.

I could’ve stayed at Whitecaps later. Truth be told, I could’ve worked all night if I knew Jenna would’ve been okay with it—I had a lot to catch up on. I’d barely gotten anything accomplished the last two weeks. But I couldn’t ask this woman for more. I worried if I was already asking too much.

The entire bottom floor of the house was lit up when I pulled into the driveway.

I sat in my truck after cutting the engine, dropping my head against the seat and staring through the windshield. My breathing slowed.

I wasn’t used to it looking like people were home. Not anymore. My mother would always wait up for me, but typically, she’d keep most of the lights off and read in the family room next to one of the small table lamps. The house would always be quiet every time I’d step inside.

It’s strange—the things you don’t realize you miss.

As I was walking toward the house, the front door opened and Jenna stepped outside.

“Hey,” I called out.

“Hey.” She frowned as I approached, crossing her arms below her chest. “You really need to let me know if you’re planning to be this late, Nathan.”

Brow furrowed, I joined her on the porch. “Shit. Did something happen? Is Marley okay?”

“Of course. If something had happened, I would’ve called you.” Her frown deepened as she stared up at me underneath the light. “I’m sorry you thought something was wrong just now. I would always call you if it involved Marley. I didn’t tonight because…well, I didn’t want to bother you at work with this, but it is something we should talk about.”