I do as he says and find a pair of earplugs.
“What’s that, Mommy?” Kendall asks.
“The best present ever.”
“So, I have a favor to ask you,” Easton says, when I walk back into the living room from putting Kendall down for a nap. She jammed out with Easton all morning and after lunch crashed. It was cute to watch them sing and dance. Easton even showed her a dance he does at his shows and she had a blast learning it. I’m not going to lie, about four songs in, the earplugs went in, and I spent a good hour reading a book, something I haven’t done in a while, since I’ve been busy with school.
“Hit me with it.” I drop onto the couch and stretch my legs out across his lap. He grabs the bottom of my foot and tickles it. “Hey!” I whisper-yell. “No tickling the feet. I’m hella ticklish.”
He laughs, but stops, taking my foot and gently massaging the sole. I groan in pleasure, my eyes rolling back slightly. “I have to find a place to buy here, so I was hoping you would come with me to check them out.”
My eyes pop open. “Me?” I hardly know anything about buying homes in New York. I’ve lived in the same place for the last seven years, and before that, I lived in my mom’s trailer for most of my life.
“Yeah.” He drops my foot and grabs the other. “I’m buying it so I can be here for you and the baby. I know we haven’t talked logistics, but I’m hoping we’ll spend some time there as well. The baby will have a room, and I was thinking I could decorate one for Kendall. You’ll be in school and working at whatever law firm you get hired at. I told my parents I’m going to record my next album at the studio here. That way I’m able to be here and don’t have to travel back and forth.”
He releases my other foot and scrubs his palm up and down his scruff—his telltale sign when he’s nervous. “I don’t really know what I’m doing,” he admits. “So, I’ll need some help, but I want to be a good dad.”
My heart picks up speed. This is really happening. We’re going to have a baby together. The last time around it was just Naomi, me, and Kendall, but this time I’ll have Easton. And he’s already thinking about what kind of father he’ll be. And not just that, he’s also thinking about me and my daughter. He really wants to do this… all of us.
“I can help you pick something out. But really, babies don’t need much.” I glance around my shoebox of an apartment. I should probably be embarrassed that my entire home could fit into his parents’ living room twice over, but I’m not. I’m proud of the home and life I’ve created for my daughter. It might be small, but it’s warm and inviting, and it’s home. “Kendall’s lived here her entire life and she’s happy. Children just need to feel safe and loved, and really, you can provide that anywhere.”
Easton lifts my legs and edges closer, shifting me slightly so I’m on his lap. His fingers grip the back of my head and his mouth descends on mine. The kiss is slow and soft, but filled with passion, and when he pulls back, I’m damn near out of breath.
“What was that for?” I breathe. He’s kissed me a few times, but nothing like that.
“For being a good mom. For finding me so I won’t miss out on being a dad… and just because I can.” He grins playfully. “Now that I know you’re on board with me kissing you, I plan to do it every chance I get.”
He brings his mouth back to mine, and our tongues unite. His fingers tangle in the back of my hair, and mine find their way around his neck. The kiss deepens, and he pulls me around so I’m straddling him. Our tongues move frantically against each other. He tastes like his signature cinnamon scent that I’ve learned is from the cinnamon mints he keeps in his pocket and pops into his mouth throughout the day.
As I’m running my hands down his shoulders and chest, considering removing his shirt, the front door swings open and in walks Naomi. “Whoops. Sorry,” she says, not looking the least bit sorry, while I scramble to get off Easton, who’s chuckling.
“How’d the meeting go?” I ask, sitting next to Easton.
“Good. Thankfully she’s not a bridezilla, so I think everything will go smoothly.” She’s referring to the NBA player’s fiancée who’s hired her to plan her engagement party and wedding.
She’s telling us about some of the crazy stuff she wants, when Easton’s phone goes off. “The realtor can meet us in about an hour.”