That night, Jake held me as I silently sobbed into his shoulder so that Lennon couldn’t hear in the next room.

“He didn’t even fight for her. How do you not fight for her?!” I wailed, my melodrama reaching new heights.

He rubbed my shoulder and my back, kissing my forehead as I buried my face in his bare chest. “Because he’s a complete ass wipe who should burn in hell if you ask me. Hey, beautiful … look at me.”

I look up, slightly aware that there has got to be snot and tears running down my face.

“You don’t need him. We don’t need him. I told you before, I’m going to be in that girl’s life forever. You’re not getting rid of me, baby. And I’m not asking, I’m telling … I plan to be the best kind of father you’ll let me be to Lennon.”

I try to speak, but gurgle. “Can I … can I have a tissue?”

He chuckles, his eyes so kind and loving. “Of course.”

Leaning over, he grabs a few from the box off the nightstand and hands them to me, helping to wipe my face too.

“If I can clean your boogers, I must really love you, huh?” Jake looks me in the eye.

“I suppose you do. You know … it’s a big commitment—”

Jake puts a finger to my lips, stopping my mouth from moving. “Stop it. We’re not going over this again. You’re going to warn me about some bullshit that you worry I won’t be able to handle, and I try to talk you into it. I’m here. I love you. I love her. It’s simple.”

His quirked eyebrow makes a small smile spread across my face. “And you’ll love me even though I’m an ugly crier?”

“Your crying face is more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen. Although Lennon rivals you. When she’s in temper tantrum mode … hell, that is a sight to behold.”

We both laugh, careful not to be too loud as we don’t want to wake her in the next room.

“Do you remember that first date? God, she’d gone nuclear in that aquarium.” I giggled.

“Do I remember?! I thought you’d never want to see me again. ‘God, that guy who couldn’t handle the tears of a three-year-old.’ You probably thought I was some wimp.”

“Actually, I thought you were quite cute trying as hard as you did to include my kid. But be honest, that was just a move to get in my pants, right? No sane man would suggest a woman bringing her daughter on the first date if they weren’t trying to fuck.”

Jake shrugs. “So what if I was? It worked didn’t it.”

I trace the lines in his abs, still dreamy-eyed when it came to his body. “Eventually, yes.”

“What do you think it would have been like if I’d had the guts to ask you out in college like I’d wanted to?”

I wonder, and laugh. “We probably would have gone on some lousy date to the dining hall, you would have drunk texted me, we’d have had terrible, amateur college sex and then never called each other again.”

He puts a hand over his heart. “Ouch … but you’re probably right. I like how it happened better anyway. You know, the dashing DC entrepreneur swoops in to sweep the single mom off of her feet. Wooing her with his good lucks, dimple and charm until she had no choice but to fall in love with him.”

I bite his shoulder in a playful tease. “Oh lord, you really are so humble, aren’t you?”

“I love you, Samantha.”

Those words still took my breath away, as if it was the first time I was hearing them.

“I love you, too. Can you do one more thing for me tonight?” I bat my eyelashes.

“Anything.”

“Do your job and go scoop me some ice cream. Nothing tops off a cure of the cries like ice cream.”

* * *

Jake tapped his hands on the steering wheel like he was a five-year-old waiting for Christmas morning.

“You know that I have little to no restaurant expertise. You could take me to Taco Bell and impress me, so stop worrying.”

I rub his thigh over the passenger console, letting my hand linger. Maybe if his brain registers I’m getting close to his dick, he’ll stop being a basket case. Men.

It was our once a week standing lunch date, and instead of eating takeout in my office or his, I’d insisted he take me to the restaurant. I’d been waiting patiently to see it, and he’s been delaying until every single detail is perfect. They’re due to open in just three short days, and I basically all but grabbed him by his balls, demanding to be given a tour.

He pulls the truck up out front, paralleling into an empty spot. The sign is now over the door, which it wasn’t when I’d driven by for a peek inside before. It was the typical Cones & Corks logo, neat script and a wine cork making up the k, but it looked so different over a storefront as opposed to on the side of a truck.

“Fancyyy, Brady. Very fancy.” I pat his shoulder like we’re teammates or something.

“Wait until you see the inside.” He hops out, and I swear he skips to unlock the door.

Damn, that ass is amazing. Sometimes when he’s sleeping, I just stare at it. Which sounds creepy, but it’s a work of art that needs to be worshipped.

The door opens and I smell the scent of … new. Just the smell of freshness, or cleaning products, that lets you know that this place hasn’t been tarnished yet.

“Holy shit.” I couldn’t help the words.

It was … freaking gorgeous. One side was all white tile and stainless steel, bright colors detailing the flavors on the wall and high-top tables of dark wood. And then on the other wall, a dark oak bar, with a wine rack spreading from floor to ceiling behind it. The whole store has a relaxed but spunky vibe; it’s going to make a wonderful spot for families and young singles alike.

“This is perfect. Jake … it’s going to dominate.”

He stands behind me, fist to his mouth. “You like it?”

“I love it. It’s going to be perfect … great for families but also singles. The bar and ice cream parlor combo was a fantastic idea, and seriously? The little trucks over there. Oh my God!”

I made a whiny girl noise over the adorable model trucks lining the top of the ice cream barrels. They were tiny models of the Cones & Corks trucks, one positioned over each flavor.

“We had a local metal artist make those … thought it would be a nice touch.”

“They’re adorable. You better get one for Lennon though, because she’s going to whine until she gets one.”

“Noted. You really like it?” He looks so nervous, it’s so un-Jake-like.

I walk to him, pressing my body against his and looking up, watching his jaw spread into a small smile.

“As usual, everything you touch turns to gold. It’s beyond, Jake … more than I had imagined, honestly. Take a minute to pat yourself on the back, you earned it.”

I knew, from our time visiting his family in Buffalo, that while he might look confident on the outside, he was waiting every other second for the other shoe to drop. He didn’t think he was worthy, even after he’d busted his ass for years to make his business. When you’re conditioned to think a certain way about yourself, you start to believe it.

“Now give me the rest of the tour so we can eat lunch. I look forward to my midday dates with my man.”

Pressing up on my toes, I make him kiss me. Our lips fuse for a steamy couple of seconds before I pull back, swatting his butt.

Jake gives me the dimple, and then takes my hand, showing me features around the room like the milkshake machine, double sinks, and other kitchen gadgets that mean nothing to me but make his eyes light up.

He then leads me to the back, past a small staff room and bathroom.

“And this is the kitchen.” Jake grabs my hips from behind, the old sparks lingering from our last foray into one of his test kitchens.

“Mmm, not the same counter as the one at your offices.” I purposely back up into him, shimmying just the tiniest bit.

“Maybe we should test them out, see if they’re up to par.” His hands squeeze tighter.

Finally, I tip my head back, my body responding to his insinuation. “I think we might just have to do that. You know, for the sake of good business and all.”