“You’re good with her.”

Heat pours into my cheeks. “I’ve spent a lot of time with kids in my job.”

He sets the plates down and goes back for silverware. Hannah’s eyeing the food.

“Smells good, huh?” Lifting her off me I stand her up in front of a feast. She goes right for a tater tot.

Justin returns and sorts everything out while she peels it. “I figured we’d just dig in.”

“Maybe cut the burgers so she can see which one she prefers?”

I can tell he’s relieved to have a task. “Here, Hannah. You don’t have to eat anything you don’t like.”

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is on and Hannah gets sucked into the movie while chewing. Setting down her mother’s picture she takes one more tater tot, but she keeps it very close to where she stands. Then Lou gets a home next to the photo. Justin watches her, and I watch him. He looks so desperate I want to hug him.

To give his fear-laden, one-track mind some peace, I pick up a burger triangle and offer it to him. “Your home is very nice.”

He takes the burger. “Thanks.” Grabbing a handful of fries, too, he sits back on the couch and exhales loudly. “Wow.”

“How are you?”

“Hanging in there.” He meets my eyes and holds them. After a moment I see the man I know returning, more confident and calm. “What kind of events did you do in Boston?”

“Didn’t you Google me?”

“I want to hear it from you,” he smirks, shoving the food in his mouth like he’s starving.

In between bites of chili I tell him, “Large parties like major birthdays. Anniversaries. Big ones. Twenty-fifth, fortieth, fiftieth, etc. I did those almost as much as weddings. And there are always children at them, needing to be wrangled when they get upset or fight with each other. That part of the job has always amused me.”

“What don’t you like to do?”

“Um…bridal showers aren’t my favorite.”

“No? Why not?” He grabs more burger triangles from the table. The way his t-shirt pulled across his shoulders during that reach looked so good. “I thought you women love that shit,” he smirks with amusement.

Laughing lightly I answer, “Not me. I think a wedding and reception are enough. There’s also the rehearsal dinner, so why the need for a shower? Just an excuse for more attention. I’ll do the event, don’t get me wrong. I just won’t like it. And if I’m invited to one, I usually don’t go. Baby showers, either.”

He nearly chokes in disbelief. “Really?”

“Yep. Really. I see the point in those. You’re celebrating a baby coming. You need help shopping because who knows what to get, right? But I dislike the actual events. Too girly for me.”

“Huh,” he mutters, turning for the fries. “I think she likes the tots more. You take these.” He hands the whole plate to me. “Are you going to start up in Atlanta now?”

“My business? I guess I will.” I drift off, chewing while I watch the screen, but my mind isn’t on mermaids. It’s on my life.

“Where’d you go, Jaimie?”

Glancing over I smile. “Sorry.”

“You were frowning.”

“Was I?” I can see he’s not going to drop it, so I decide to be open. What have I got to lose? I’m here. We’re talking. This is a miracle in and of itself. “I have to start over, Justin, and I can’t even begin to tell you how layered that is. I’ve got to develop relationships with the community. Find great caterers. Perfect locations. The kind of florists who can fix a problem the day it happens. Everything is new. I don’t know anyone. It’s just…a lot.” We gaze at each other a long moment. “What?”

“You’re talking to me about things other than…” He pumps a fist in a sexual manner.

I hit his hand and laugh, “Stop it!” glancing to Hannah.

“She’s not looking at us. Come on. I checked.” His smirk falters as he gazes at me. I know this would be the moment he’d kiss me if we were alone. Chemistry is snapping its fingers at us, demanding attention. He blinks away toward the food and picks up a plantain to ask Hannah, “You want one?”

She smells it and shakes her head, going back to the T.V. He bites off the end and says to me, “I’m just saying. Should I be flattered? Am I good for something more than…” He does the sexual pumping again with laughter in his eyes.

“Maybe you are.”

“You’re not sure.”

“Not yet.”

He laughs an easy laugh and I melt at the sound, though I don’t show it.

“Hey, Hannah. You have to eat more than just potatoes. Try some of the burgers.”

She looks at him, unsure if he has the authority. They stare at each other for a long moment, and then her arm reaches over for a small triangle. Holding it in both hands she chews it while staring at him. She nods and goes back to the movie.

He stifles a laugh and mumbles out of the corner of his mouth, “I guess that one’s a go. Which was it?”

Craning I check it out. “BBQ sauce one.”

“Lone Star Tex Melt,” Justin nods.

“Oh, you know their menu?”

His eyes darken suddenly and his volume drops. “Tanny worked there. Her mother.”

I set the plate of fries down and touch his leg. “I’m so sorry, Justin. I should have remembered that. It totally slipped my mind.”

“How would you have known?”

Blinking, it hits me. The only way I know is because of those two gossipers at the host stand. My mouth closes, but from his face I know I have no choice but to explain. “When I was there I overheard a couple employees talking about you guys.”

Fire explodes behind his irises and he stands up with a lot more calm than he is feeling, so that Hannah doesn’t become alarmed. Trying to control his temper he rakes white knuckles through his hair and walks to the windows as though searching for The Vortex from here.

I slowly go to him, glancing to check if she sees this. She’s chomping away at the screen. Touching Justin’s back I whisper, “Stay calm. You’re doing great.”

Under his breath he hisses, “I’m trying.”

I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his shoulder blades. His tension releases and his thick hands wrap over my forearms. “People love drama, Justin.”

He nods and turns around, embracing me. “I know.” Breathing me in, he whispers, “You just shower?”

“Uh huh.” My body alights as I breathe him in. “You, too?”

“Yeah.”

We stay a moment, quietly inhaling each other’s scent until we can’t take it anymore. Releasing at the same time, Justin gives me a look like he wants to kiss me so badly. He lays his hand on my back and guides me to the couch. We eat the rest of the meal in silence, watching the movie together. When Hannah has had enough, she climbs up with Lou and her mother’s picture.

I stand up immediately. “You sit by her.”

He blinks at me a moment. “Thank you.”

Taking my place, he pulls her body against his so that they’re hip to hip, with his arm around her. He reaches over and takes my hand, rendering me speechless as he goes back to watching the movie. After awhile she leans into him, eyes glued to Ariel running to the beach before her soon-to-be returning mermaid tail won’t let her. Within seconds, Justin’s asleep.

I don’t care how good Disney is. I’d rather watch him while he sleeps with his arm around his little girl, and listen to the air he breathes softly in and out as he’s on the verge of snoring, his strong fingers clasping mine, any day of any week ever.