Millie
I KNEW I SHOULDN’T BE so nervous; she was a nine-year-old girl. I’d once been a nine-year-old girl, so I knew what it felt like. Still, Kayla had made it no secret that she would rather be eating glass than sitting down to a meal with me, and Jackson was trying so hard to pretend that everything was going well, that he was giving my nerves hives.
“Millie and her sisters started their business all on their own and are now so successful that they’re expanding. Isn’t that great? Just goes to show you, that if you find something that you love, and put your heart into it, you can make your dreams come true.”
I caught Kayla’s eye roll at Jacksons attempt at a life lesson, but luckily, he hadn’t. I think that would have been the final straw that made him blow a gasket.
My face was beginning to hurt from holding the smile that I’d had plastered on my face since dinner began, but I powered through and maintained my pleasant expression.
“Oh, Jackson, I know I mentioned Dru’s Speakeasy birthday party to you, but Dru wanted me to have you invite Rob, Jan, Ty, and Rebecca as well,” I told him when the thought popped in my head.
“Oh, okay, sure, I’ll pass it along,” he replied, his tone conveying his stress over this not-so-enjoyable dinner. Then he blinked twice and put his taco down. “Wait, if it’s Dru’s birthday, then it’s yours, too. Aren’t you having a party with her?”
I shook my head and explained, “We’ve always done one together, but I’m more low-key than Dru, and I wanted to give her the chance to go nuts and have the party she’s always wanted. It’ll be weird, but it’s not like we won’t still be together all day, and celebrate together, but I wanted her to have something fun for herself. We will be having a lunch that day to celebrate my birthday, and I’d love it if you could come. Both of you.”
“This Sunday?” Jackson asked.
When I nodded, Kayla shoved the rest of her taco in her mouth, then said, “Iawayamd bsjia.”
“Kayla,” Jackson warned, but she ignored him and started talking with her mouth full again.
That’s when he snapped.
Jackson’s cup landed on the table with a clatter and his chair flew back as he stood.
“Go to your room, now. We’ll discuss your punishment after I calm down.”
Kayla looked startled, then her eyes filled before she shot a glare at me, rose from the table, and stomped off.
I held my breath until her door slammed and Jackson sat back down with a sigh, pushing his glasses up his nose as he looked at me apologetically.
“I’m so sorry,” he began. “She’s a sweet girl, I swear it. I know that’s probably hard for you to believe after the way she just acted. I’m not sure what’s gotten into her, but I’ll talk to her.”
“It wasn’t so bad,” I lied, hoping to make him feel better.
“How could it have been worse?” he asked incredulously.
“She could have stabbed me with her fork,” I joked, and felt some of the tension ease when he grinned.
“Well, thank God for small favors.”
“I have to get going soon, but let me help you with this,” I said, standing so I could start clearing the table.
“Don’t worry about that,” Jackson countered, then snagged my hand and gave it a tug. “Come here.”
With a quick glance to where Kayla had disappeared, I allowed him to pull me into his lap, putting my arms around his shoulders as I sat.
“I missed you,” Jackson admitted sweetly, causing me to smile down at him.
His glasses were a little askew, so I fixed them, my stomach clenching when his dimples popped out at the gesture.
“I missed you, too,” I returned softly, watching his eyes as I lowered my face slowly toward him.
Our lips brushed gently once, then twice, before his hand on my back applied more pressure, urging me closer, and his lips parted beneath mine. The kiss was delicate and full of yearning, and I wished desperately that I didn’t have to leave him and go back to work. It seemed like ages since I’d been in his arms, and I was eager to lose myself in him again.
As soon as possible.
“So, Sunday?” I asked when we broke apart. I rested my forehead against his and tried not to count the hours until I’d see him again. Why did Sunday suddenly feel so far away?
“Yes, for lunch, and the party. I’ll talk to the guys and let you know if they can make it, so you can pass it along to Dru.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Text me tonight when you get off work?” Jackson asked, his voice full of the same longing that was in my heart.
“I will,” I promised.
Reluctantly I stood and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want help?” Indicating the mess from dinner.
“I’ve got it.”
I nodded, and with no other reason to stay, I knew I had to get back in order to not get behind. Once I had my chef coat back on, Jackson walked me to the door and gave me one last kiss.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, and when he opened his mouth to apologize once more for Kayla, I put a finger against his lips to stop his words.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I whispered, then tilted my head and added, “Don’t worry, she’ll come around.”
I was walking back to my car when I felt eyes on me, so I looked over my shoulder to find Kayla watching me from her window. I lifted my hand and waved goodbye, but was disheartened when she quickly closed her pink and purple-striped curtains and disappeared.
As I got in my car and drove back to work, I hoped I wasn’t wrong about Kayla warming up to me.