Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(82)

I ran up the steps to grab a pair of shorts. When I got back downstairs, Ginger sat on the couch with Shawn on her lap. He drank water from his sippy cup while they watched some kid show. I took a seat beside them, resting my arm on the back of the sofa. I caressed the back of her neck.

She looked over and smiled. “Guess I’m really messing up your day. Got you killed, now you had to put on clothes. Lazy day just ruined.”

Shawn shifted on her lap, turning so that he faced her. He reached out, handing his cup to me, before laying his head on her chest.

“Someone looks tired.”

“Yeah. He didn’t get his nap. We were out shopping.”

“For what?”

“I figured I needed to finish furnishing your place before you fired me.”

“No chance of that happening. You work for free.”

“Ha. That’s what you think. The bill’s in the mail.”

Ginger’s smile was radiant. I loved seeing her like this, at ease without her guard up. Relaxed.

“If you’d called, I would have come out with you.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Oh, lord no. We’d still be there if you’d tagged along.”

I frowned. “Take a few hours picking out a couch and you’re stigmatized for life.” I looked down at a now sleeping Shawn. “Want me to take him up?”

She shook her head as she kissed the top of his. “I like holding him. He’s getting so big. Before I know it, he’ll be too grown to want to spend this kind of time with his mommy.” She tightened her arms around his sleeping form.

“Maybe by the time that happens, you’ll have another option for snuggle time.”

Since she’d taken the morning after pill, the topic hadn’t come back up. When she’d called me about the lack of protection, I’d been surprised at first. But damn, the idea of her having my child; I’d been shocked at myself for getting excited over the possibility. Sure, the timing sucked, but we could have made it work. I’d been willing to make it work. But then all I kept hearing was her telling me how I’d ambushed her into the relationship, so I’d tried to take the pragmatic approach. I’d done my best to not think about it since. It’d been done and there wasn’t anything I could do about that now.

Ginger’s reaction to me hinting around at the idea told me all I needed to know. She pressed her lips together, her brows pinched, and I noticed she tensed. She looked down at Shawn and brushed his hair to the side.

“So, do you want to know what I picked out?”

“Yeah, sure.” I repositioned myself, leaning to grab the TV remote off the table. I flipped through the channels, trying to find anything but the kid’s show that was currently playing.

“Um. I got two bedroom suits. Both queen-sized. That way, when your parents come, they have the option of staying here if they want. One has a really nice, but simple, beige upholstered headboard, the other has a dark mahogany one. A little variety. I, um, also ordered a crib. I mean just in case for times like this. He’s becoming a real busy body, and I just worry he’ll figure out how to climb out of the pack-n-play. He already has tried at home…” She stopped rambling when she saw me laughing at her. “What?”

“You don’t have to explain why. It’s cool. I want you to do his room however you see fit.”

“Right. Sorry. Uh, well the bedroom stuff should be here Tuesday. They gave a delivery window of between nine and one. The crib I ordered online. When it ships, I’ll let you know.”

“Sounds good.”

Ginger slid closer to me before gently placing Shawn down on the L portion of the sofa. I turned the volume down on the TV, having settled on HGTV for her. She tucked her hair behind her ears and shot a side glance in my direction. She sat back against me. On instinct I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

I tried to focus on the show and not the hand that rested on my thigh. I worked hard not to think about the alluring scent of the perfume that she wore. I wouldn’t let my mind wander with thoughts of kissing her, really kissing her, something I’d refrained from doing for the last week. Every time I wanted to, the memory of last Saturday night came to mind. I knew it wasn’t about me, but that didn’t stop me from doing all I could to avoid being back in that situation with her.

My fingers stroked her arm. I glanced down at her just as her tongue came out to moisten her lower lip. I lifted my other hand to cup her face, causing her to look up at me.

My thumb ran across her mouth. So close. All I had to do was lean down—I swallowed and pushed that thought from my mind. “I’m glad you stopped by.”

She grinned. “I missed your face.”

“Just my face?”

She walked her fingers up my chest. “Well, maybe I missed the rest of you too.” Her hand came up to my face before she stretched up to kiss me.

Only it wasn’t really a kiss; it was more like a tease. Feather soft and over before it started. There was a weird look of nervousness or embarrassment on her face when she pulled away. She turned, focusing her attention on Shawn, who’d flipped over and moved closer to the edge. She moved him toward the back of the sofa and placed a few of the throw pillows in front to box him in.

“How long do I get your company?”

She shrugged. “How long do you want it?”