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“Me too,” she whispers.
A piece of cake flies past us and she shakes her head.
“I think cake time is over.” She laughs.
I reluctantly let go of her and watch as she scoops Josie from her highchair, holding her out in front of her in a cakey mess-like state. She starts walking her to the hallway down to the nursery to no doubt change her, Beth and Sadie following behind. I watch her go, the swish of her hips in her linen white dress. As much as I love everyone being here, I can’t wait to get her alone.
When she disappears from view, I get to work on cleaning the floor. My mother kneels down beside me to help.
“I’ve got it, Mama.”
She just shakes her head in quiet refute and begins wiping up frosting. I can feel her watching me as she cleans up beside me. I look up at her and see tears in her eyes.
“Mama, what is it?” I ask worriedly.
“I’m just happy…”
“Cleaning cake?”
She laughs. “Seeing you as a father.”
“Me too, Mama.”
It’s a special moment between us two in the bustle of the party, and I’ll remember the look of happiness on my mother’s face forever.
Once we have the place cleaned up, Josie opens presents in a fresh party dress. She’s overjoyed with every colorful gift wrapping she tears into, everyoneoohing andahhing around her. Afterward, I see Erica in the corner of the room with her friends, looking troubled. She spots me and gives me a small smile. I wait until she’s alone to ask her anything.
“Everything okay?” I ask as she sidles up beside me, watching Josie play with her new walker toy. She’s already got the hang of it, gripping the handles and moving unsteadily around the room.
“Mhmm. I’m fine. Beth and Sadie were just telling me something…”
“Are they okay?” I ask, concerned.
“Yeah.” Erica nods. “They said something happened with some man. Something that makes our story look normal. I don’t know the details yet.”
“Yikes,” I say. “How about this? I’ll take off tomorrow, so you three can get together and figure things out.”
“Really?” she asks, her brows raised above her perfect face.
“Of course.”
“Thank you, babe.” She stands on her tip-toes and gives me a kiss. I pull her into me suddenly and she lets out a little gasp. I run my tongue over her lips slowly, to let her know how much I want her. She pulls away and looks up at me in surprise.
“Easy now,” she whispers.
“I can’t help it.”
“Save it for later.” She smirks up at me.
Another hour goes by and the guests begin trickling out, saying their goodbyes. The apartment is a mess, but I don’t care. I don’t plan on touching it until tomorrow, after I’ve explored every inch of Erica’s body. I’ll get to start sooner than I expected when my mother offers to take Josie for the rest of the evening. Erica and I pack an overnight bag and give her what feels like a thousand kisses before we wave goodbye to her from the door.
Erica closes the door and sighs, looking around the room. “Everyone’s gone,” she says.
“Good,” I whisper, grabbing her hand and pulling her to me. She stumbles slightly, but I help right her on her feet.
“You,” she says, shaking her head.
“I’ve wanted this all day.”