I’m overloaded with emotions.
“This is a surprise.”
“Said you were having a rough day, wanted to make it better. Plus, for my own selfish reasons since I miss you.”
I grin as I approach him, kissing him hard on his lips. He presses his nose into mine, and we share a grin. “You’re incredible.”
He kisses me once more before I go to Celeste, kissing her as she squeals happily for me. I take her, hugging her close. “Aren’t you the cutest! Are you surprising me with dinner? This was all your idea, huh?”
She hugs me tightly before babbling something and pressing her open mouth on my cheek. I laugh as I hug her tightly, kissing her sweet little face. “I have crap everywhere in my office. Let’s go to the conference room.”
Kirby grins in agreement, and we head to the conference room. Together, with Celeste babbling cheerfully, we set the table with the amazing dinner he got us. Once we sit down, I dig in, realizing I am starving. “This is so sweet. Thank you, Kirb.”
“Absolutely. How much longer you got?”
I shrug. “I’m nowhere near done, but sitting here with you two, I don’t want to go back.”
He grins. “I don’t want to distract you.”
“Sure, you don’t,” I tease, feeding Celeste a bite of my potatoes.
“Okay. Maybe it was my plan to steal you away.”
“Oh, really? Where are we going?”
He holds my gaze. “A hotel.”
“A hotel?” I ask, confused. “Why?”
“I figured maybe I can trick you into sleeping with me in another bed, and it’ll lead to mine.”
I smile, but I don’t want to tell him that’s not the reason I won’t stay the night with him. Hotels are easy; a man’s bed is a whole other issue. Instead, I say, “That’s not a bad idea.”
“I didn’t think so. I had Aviva pack you a bag, and Jean is swinging by to get Celeste. So, we can head there once you’re done.”
Talk about emotional overload. “Really?”
“Yup. I got us a ritzy suite, with a spa tub in the room so you can relax.”
“Stop it right now. That’s too much,” I protest. “We could just stay at my place.”
He shrugs. “True, but I’ve got to get you into that bed with me so you feel safe. No naughty business at all. Just relaxation and sleep.”
“No naughty business? I don’t believe that.”
“Yeah, that was a lie. But the other stuff is true,” he says, his eyes sparkling as he gazes at me.
“Kirby, you’re doing too much, and I feel like I’m failing you.”
He shakes his head, reaching for my hand. “Never, Jay. I get it. We’ll work through it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. We’ll defeat this together.”
I hold his gaze. “I want that.”
“Good, because we’re moving forward, you and I. Meeting the parents, falling in love. Jay, we’re making a relationship here.”
I wait for the fear, I wait for the need to run, but instead, I just grin. “We are.”
“You and me—and Celeste.”
“And Celeste,” I say, kissing her temple, and she leans into me, nuzzling her nose in my neck.
And then, the most beautiful sound leaves her little lips. “Mama-mama-mama-mama!”
My eyes widen as I meet Kirby’s stunned ones. “Did she just say what I think she said?” he asks, and I look down at Celeste as she giggles sweetly, repeating the sound once more as she taps my cheeks.
“Mama-mama-mama-mama.”
I shake my head, unable to grasp what she is saying. It’s silly. She’s a baby; she doesn’t know what that means. “I hear ‘Mama,’ but she’s just making noises, right?”
Kirby shifts, his eyes burning into mine. “Or she knows who loves her and who she loves.”
Once more, my eyes get itchy with tears. “Is that okay?”
His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“What about Lilly?”
His eyes are dark. “Is she here? Is she loving on Celeste right now?”
I gaze back at Celeste, and she gives me a gummy grin before openmouth kissing my chin. I want to believe her little babble to be true, and that catches me off guard. My mom was right; this is an instant family, and I want it. I crave it. I hold her close. “Are you saying mama, my sweet baby girl?”
“Mama-mama-mama-mama!”
We both laugh as Celeste giggles and then squeals happily. I hug her tight, kissing her. And as easy as it is to breathe, I tell her, “I love you so much, baby girl.”
She nuzzles in close to me, and when I look at Kirby, his eyes are shining with love. He then pulls me toward him since my chair has wheels. He kisses me, hard, and I feel like I’m falling at speeds unknown. As we part, he strokes his fingers along my throat, and I gaze at him, overwhelmed with love. I never thought in my wildest dreams that Celeste would say that to me or that it would be that easy to tell her I love her. My eyes are glossy as I gaze into his. The words are right there. I feel them everywhere. But then, I hear a voice.