He scoffed. “Then you’re not as serious as you think you are. Talking about Wendy would open up your past.”
I thought about that. There hadn’t been a moment to segue into that talk with her. And if I was honest with myself, I wasn’t sure I wanted to open that can of worms yet.
“I’m not saying you have to. I know this is all new for you. And a delicate situation to boot.”
“I’m not sure she wants to talk about it,” I said, thinking of last week when Gina brought Wendy up in front of Jess. “But you’re right. This is very new.”
Brandon had already finished more than half his wrap by that time, and I’d only had a bite. This diet would not last very long for him. “So, Amelia and I decided on an Alaskan cruise next year. There would be childcare on the boat if you and Gina wanted to come along.”
Next year Gina would be four, old enough to handle being on a boat and have the ability to have fun. Though I wasn’t sure where my business would be at that point. I always felt guilty when I thought of taking time off. Which was probably why I never did.
“I’ll consider it,” I said.
Brandon rolled his eyes. “I will get you to come with us someday.”
“You should keep asking me,” I said. “I need someone like you to push me.”
“Even though you consistently turn me down?” Brandon said. His tone was light, but it had an edge to it. Over the years, he had taken a backseat in my life, yet had stuck with me through everything. It wasn’t fair to him, even though he didn’t understand what my life was like. Gina was the most important person to me. He wouldn’t get that until he had kids for himself. Which I doubted would ever happen on purpose. Everyone had their own view of how their life should go, and this was mine. Working hard gave me the means to give Gina anything she wanted. And that was my priority.
“Yes, even though I consistently turn you down.”
“All right, man. But I guarantee once you go on a vacation with us, you’ll be begging to come with us every year.”
I had no doubt about that, but we were in different stages of our lives. If Wendy hadn’t died, then we might have been the happy couple who went vacationing every year. But being a single parent didn’t give me much of an option unless I wanted to be on the phone the whole time. And I wasn’t about to waste money going away to work.
Though, imagining Jess and Gina on an Alaskan cruise with me, that would be something I’d want to do. So, if I had to do any work, I knew Gina would be taken care of properly. Jess and I could snuggle together in a cabin at night and make love floating on the sea.
That thought alone made me want to agree to Brandon’s proposal. But I’d have to see where Jess and I were headed with our relationship.
Every night that Jess stayed over, she either sneaked out early or got up to shower in my bathroom and pretended that she hadn’t spent the night. I had no doubt that Gina wouldn’t have minded us all going on a vacation together, but she would have questions when it came to the sleeping arrangements. Like hell would I sleep separately from Jess if I could help it. At least at home, I could have her as many nights with me as she wanted.
I grabbed the second half of my sandwich and dug in. “So, tell me about this Alaskan cruise.”
Later that evening, I didn’t need to wonder where to find Jess and Gina. They were in the family room working on the quilt. I’d insisted that Jess added expedited shipping on the sewing machine. It arrived on Monday, and she and Gina spent most of the afternoon setting it up. Now they were on their way to making all the squares.
Jess was working at the machine while Gina stood next to her, peering up on her tip-toes.
I waited until the machine went off before I rapped on the doorframe.
Gina turned around and rushed over to me. “Come see.” She grabbed my finger and dragged me into the room.
Jess gave me a shy smile, and I winked at her. Both gestures went over Gina’s head completely. She grabbed several of the finished squares and held them up to me.
“Wow,” I said, kneeling down beside her. “Those look great!”
“I helped cut them,” Gina said, beaming.
I glanced at Jess. Gina and scissors were a dangerous combination.
“She traced the squares,” Jess added. “I cut them.”
“That’s what I meant,” Gina said.
I kissed Gina’s forehead as I got up from the floor. “Show me what else you’ve done.”
While Gina went into the pile of fabric to dig out something, I rested my hand on the back of the chair Jess sat in. I discreetly moved my thumb across her back in a
circular motion. She turned in her chair and blocked my hand from Gina.