Michael left to go find Robin, and my heart started to race as I opened the auditorium door. I scanned the room, and that’s when I saw him. He was standing up, leaning against the seats in the row ahead of him so he could see me as soon as I walked in. I lifted my hand in a gentle wave and made my way down the long aisle toward him.
He walked out of the row to greet me with a small kiss on the cheek. “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he whispered, sending the butterflies I already had in my belly straight into my throat.
I didn’t know what to say. I had no idea how to flirt back and felt like a speechless twit. I mustered up a, “me too,” to get me by while I collected myself. Taking things up a notch, Jason grabbed my hand and led me to our seats, which were indeed front and center. We were going to be easy to spot for the girls, and we also had a perfect view of the whole stage.
“These are great seats. How early did you have to get here for these?” I asked, finally getting my face to cooperate with a smile. My sudden nerves were making me unable to act like a normal adult who could even form a normal smile.
“Not long before you. It just started to fill up. I promised Emily I’d be where she could see us, and I’m a man of my word.” His grin was genuine and broad. He seemed happy, and when I met his eyes, my smile finally softened naturally. What a comforting person he was to be around.
“You sure are,” I replied.
We settled in next to each other, with two more seats saved for Robin and Michael on the other side of me. After we took our coats off, Jason reached for my hand again and placed it on his knee gently. It felt like a date, even though we were there to watch all the kids, and when Robin found us, I quickly snatched my hand back, hiding it from her, although I think she saw.
“Hey guys, great seats,” she said as she sat down next to me.
“You know how particular Emily is,” Jason replied.
“Oh, I sure do,” Robin replied with a laugh. “Mine are no different. I just went through the whole ‘Mommy we want to be able to see you’ discussion backstage myself. Emily looks absolutely adorable, Jason. Who did her curls?” she asked.
“I did,” Jason replied, chuckling. “I’m becoming quite the Paul Mitchell these days. Or Vidal Sassoon? I dunno, I’m getting good at curling a little girl’s hair.”
We all laughed, but I considered what a good father he was. I didn’t know much about Emily’s mom, but she surely missed out on Jason. He was a keeper and would make any woman swoon.
The lights began to dim, indicating the show was starting, and we all turned our focus to the stage. As it became completely dark, Jason reached over for my hand, placing it on his knee, and gave it a little squeeze. I smiled in return and leaned into him just a bit.
My affection for this man I’d barely just met was on my mind almost the entire show. I watched him watch his daughter and was in awe by his adoration for her. I’d never thought much of having kids myself, mostly because I hadn’t had a relationship that lasted long enough for it to be a consideration. Being with him, on the receiving end of his affection while he still gave his undivided attention to the show, was enough to make any woman want to have his babies.
I did a lot of thinking during that show. Seeing Jason’s uninhibited joy through the entire thing was enough to lift me right back out of the funk that tried to seep in. All I could think of was how soothing his presence was, however short-lived it was to be.
Chapter Fourteen
Jason
I wanted to steal a thousand kisses from her that night. But we were surrounded with friends and family, and excited kids. While I still knew she wasn’t really mine, I couldn’t help but think she could be, and I was going to take every opportunity that I could to make it so.
After the show, we all milled around and had hot cider and cookies with the kids, who put on a great show. The new music teacher really hit the mark with this one. Not only were the kids excited to sing and dance to new songs, but it was a refreshing change for us adults too. You could easily see how much fun the kids had, and that’s what mattered the most.
I wished desperately for a few minutes alone with Samantha, but that prospect wasn’t looking good. The night was winding down, and people were starting to head home. I knew that I’d see her the next night for the big surprise, but I had to find a way to sneak a kiss in somehow. So, I did what any man desperate for a woman’s affection would do. I made up a reason she had to walk with me for a minute.
“Samantha, have you seen the kids’ tree paintings?” It wasn’t much to see, but the display was around the corner and away from the crowd.
“Tree paintings?” she asked me.
“Yes. Tree paintings. They’re really quite spectacular. They’re just around the corner. Let me show you?” I asked, nodding my head in that direction.
“Oh, um, sure.” She turned to Robin. “Hey, we’re gonna go look at the tree paintings real quick, okay?”
I took Samantha’s hand and pulled her toward the corridor where artwork was hanging at a pretty good clip. As soon as w
e turned the corner, I pulled her into me for a kiss. She tasted like cinnamon and sugar, and when the surprise wore off, she melted into me, kissing me back.
“I thought we were going to look at some trees,” she said quietly, letting a little laugh escape.
Still holding her tight, I pointed down the hallway. “There’s some construction paper trees down that way. But I just wanted to get you alone for a minute.”
“Well played, sir,” she replied before initiating another kiss. Her lips were soft, and I could have stayed in that hallway just kissing her all night, but I knew our stolen moment had to come to an abrupt end before we got caught.
We shared a chuckle over the shenanigans we just pulled and returned to the group. I was feeling better, even though I wished she was leaving with me, not her sister.