Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(81)

“I need to be alone with you, Jenna.”

“I know. Trust me, I know.” She gripped my shirt, rolled up onto her toes, and kissed me. “I’m working on it,” she said against my mouth.

I watched her sink back onto her heels. “Yeah?” I asked. Hope quickened the pace of my heart.

She nodded, peering out into the family room. “Just give me two more weeks…”

“What?” My vision vibrated. I blinked her into focus. Is she insane? “Jenna, I can’t…I won’t make it that long. I know I won’t. Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m joking.” Her smile was full and satisfying. “You were so panicked.” She giggled, throwing her arms around my neck.

I fake glared at her. “Well, guess who wasn’t listening to you at all earlier? Me. I have no idea what you said.”

She dropped her head against my chest and laughed. Her entire body shook. “You’re my favorite,” she said. She was slow to peer up at me.

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “I mean that in a lot of ways…not just favorite person to talk to, like you said about me. I’ve never laughed so much with anyone before. I want to be around you all the time, Nathan. If I had to choose one person to do something with, it would be you.” Her teeth scraped across her bottom lip. “Say something.”

I said the only thing I wanted to tell her in that moment, aside from giving her a flat “ditto” in response, which would’ve covered how I felt and fallen short in the same breath.

“I think you’re my best friend.”

When did this woman become so important to me? I didn’t just desire Jenna physically. Yes, of course that played a huge role in this longing to be near her all the time, but it went beyond that. I wanted to be the first person she thought of at any given moment, because she was quickly becoming mine. I wanted to know her better than anyone else, and I wanted people aware of it—everyone. I wanted it recognized that I had that privilege and they didn’t. This relationship stretched into new territory for me. Again I felt completely unprepared for what this was turning into or, let’s be honest, what it already was, which didn’t make any sense.

I had been married to Sadie for four years. I took my relationship with her farther than anyone else I’d ever been with. I’d shared a life with her…

So how could this feel bigger?

Jenna pressed her body against mine, slid her arms around my waist, and pulled me into a hug. “You’re my best friend too,” she mumbled against my chest.

I dropped my head and held her.

I expected to feel terrified, or at the very least, hesitant. I’d never felt this way about anyone before. I waited for uncertainty to pull me away from Jenna, one worrying thought, something, anything to slow us down.

It never came.

*



Two days later, I was passing the time coloring with Marley while we waited for Jenna and her kids. I was off today. Last night we’d talked about possibly heading down to the beach and getting in the water if the weather was nice.

I didn’t know whether that was still the plan, so I hadn’t mentioned anything to Marley about it. Right now she was just eager for Jenna, Oliver, and Olivia to get here. She always was.

“Daddy, where awre they?” she asked for the fourth time in the past five minutes. Maybe less than that. Her fist holding the purple crayon moved furiously over the page.

“They’re coming. They’ll be here soon.” I held her steady on my lap with one hand and leaned over, swiping a crayon off the floor. “Here.” I showed it to her. “You want to throw some pink in there?”

“’Kay.” Marley dropped the purple crayon and grabbed the one I was holding. She scribbled in sharp lines. “Daddy, they here now?”

I smiled and kissed the side of her head. “Almost.”

The doorbell rang. Marley gasped and wiggled out of my lap, crawling underneath the table and popping up to stand once she cleared it. “They’re here!” she hollered, her little legs carrying her quickly into the family room.

I scooped her up before she could reach the door and smiled against her cheek when she squealed in surprise. “Ready?”

“Ready!” she answered, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I pulled the door open, eyes lowered to greet the twins, since they typically barged in first, but Jenna stood alone on the porch.

“Hey,” I said, lifting my gaze.

She was wearing this shirt/shorts combo thing. It was one solid piece, navy blue, and sleeveless. A tie cinched the waist.

I didn’t know how the fuck she got it on, but she looked good wearing it. Even in clothing I did not fucking understand, she looked good.

“Jenna!” Marley reached out with both arms, tipping forward.

Jenna smiled at me, then gave it all to Marley as she took her, balancing my daughter in the crook of her arm. “Hey, sweet girl.” She kissed her cheek.

“Where are your kids?” I asked, getting her attention.

“Remember that thing I was working on…”

My brows lifted. Holy fuck. Did she get a sitter for today?

“Oliver is at a friend’s house. They’re bringing him home later tonight,” she said, stepping back a little on the porch and turning sideways to face the driveway. “And Shay has generously offered to take the girls to get their nails painted.”