Page 50

JACK

“Change of plans,” Rumi says when she answers the door, immediately handing over Evee to me as I walk in. “We’re not going to the zoo.” Rumi has on a blue and yellow sundress today, and I’m learning with every one she owns that sundresses are my literal kryptonite when it comes to her.

“Aw, but I was so excited to talk to you about your vampire sm—” Her eyes turn to slits, waiting for me to say the words. “Your paranormal romance,” I say with a wink.

“Nice save. But no, that’ll have to wait.”

“Okay,” I say, pulling Evee into my arms. “What’s the new plan?”

“Remember how I told you about that coffee date I had with Lauren McKinely? The author from the read aloud we went to at the library?” Rumi asks over her shoulder as I follow her into the kitchen.

“Oh, I remember the library,” I tease, and she turns around to slap me playfully on the arm, and it makes Evee giggle.

“Yes, I remember your coffee date. You said it went well.” She had also said that Lauren thought Rumi’s idea for a children’s book was exactly like something her agent was looking for, and that she would connect the two.

Since the meeting, Rumi has completely brought her idea to life, and with the help of Emerson, not only does she have her story, but she also has rough sketches for illustrations.

“Really well,” Rumi says, bouncing on her heels with anticipation, like she can barely contain herself. “And you’ll never guess who just called asking to represent me!”

My jaw drops. “Shut up.” I grab her by the material of the dress she has on, pulling her to me and hugging her against Evee and me. My cheeks hurt with how hard I’m smiling, my skin buzzing the Rumi’s contagious excitement. “Lauren’s agent wants to work with you? Rumi, that’s amazing.”

“I know! Can you believe it? I still have to look over everything, and the whole process is a big commitment, both with time and money, and I’m still waiting to hear an update about the child support, but I really want to make this work.”

“We will. We’ll make it work. I’m so proud of you.” I press a kiss to her lips and then one to Evee’s cheek. “Mommy’s going to be an author, Evee girl,” I tell her, and she claps her hands at the excitement radiating off both me and her mom.

“Ma-ma, ma-ma,” she babbles, and we freeze, both Rumi’s and my eyes turning to her.

“Did she just—” Rumi asks, her eyes wide.

“Did you just say your first word?”

“This is the best day ever!” Rumi exclaims, grabbing Evee and lifting her high in the air, repeating “mama” back at her in hopes she says it again.

I watch the two of them, my own eyes prickling at the sight.

To think how far Rumi has come in the last year—I don’t even think she thought she’d ever be spinning her daughter in the air, smiles on both their faces, in her own house, with a job she adores, and another that marks her dream coming true.

I’m just thankful I get to be part of it.

Rumi looks back at me. “So much to celebrate,” she says with a smile, walking over to press a kiss to my lips. “Congrats on your promotion, firefighter.”

“ Potential promotion,” I correct, pressing another kiss to her lips. “And congrats on becoming a published author.”

She kisses me one more time. “ Potential published author,” she echos.

“And congrats on your first word, sweetheart,” I say to Evee, both Rumi and me pressing a kiss to her check, making her squeal.

Looking at Rumi, I ask, “So what are our new plans?” I take Evee back from her so she can sit down at the kitchen counter.

“Well,” she starts, her cheeks blushing, “Ava and Emerson offered to take Evee to the zoo this afternoon and then watch her overnight, and I was thinking we could, maybe, go to your place to, um, celebrate all of our good news.”

My shy girl is back, and it takes everything in me not to kiss that blush right off her checks— or kiss her until her whole body blushes.

“I like this new plan. Why don’t you show me the new changes to your book while we wait for them, and then we pack you a bag to head over to my place.”

Or your entire house, I think to myself, but I quickly let the thought fade to the back of my mind, a much more important question coming to the forefront.

“And there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” I tell her, and the way she bites her lip tells me she knows exactly what I’m about to say. “Rumi baby,” I start. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

She nods, throwing her arms around my neck and kissing me hard on the lips before pressing little kisses all over my face, squishing Evee in the process and making her laugh a full-on belly laugh. “Third time's the charm, huh?” she teases, but I can only think of one other time I asked her.

Either way, I’m just happy she said yes.

“And Evee girl,” I say through her mom’s kisses, “I have a question for you too.” Rumi leans back, a confused look on her face, this time having no idea what I plan on saying. I look down at Evee’s pretty blue eyes, feeling her mom’s on the both of us. “Can I be your mom’s boyfriend?”