Page 15

Chapter fourteen

Lions and tigers and one giant hot hockey player, oh my!

Charlie

Nina: Hey Charlotte, I’m so sorry, but I’ve come down with a nasty bug. I won’t be able to watch the kids tonight.

My stomach sinks as I frantically think through options. Zoe and Jade might be able to help, but I remember Zoe mentioning they’re both tied up at a family event tonight.

Still, I quickly text her, hoping by some miracle I misunderstood.

Me: Zo, just checking—are you free tonight? ????

Zoe: Sorry, babe. I’m at that family thing with Jade xx

Of course. Just my luck. I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I try to come up with another solution. But without the nanny, a babysitter, or Zoe, I’m out of options. Nerves tangle in me as I type out the dreaded message to Jake.

Me: Hey, my sitter is sick. I don’t think I’ll be able to make our date tonight. So sorry

Closing my eyes, I hit send. My phone buzzes almost immediately—he’s calling. I pick it up, bracing for his disappointment.

“Charlie girl,” his voice is warm, but there’s a hint of concern. “You’re not flaking on me, are you?”

“No! I swear, I’m not,” I blurt, my words rushing out in my anxiety. “I really don’t have anyone to watch the kids. I’ve tried everyone, and I’m fresh out of options.”

He’s quiet for a beat, and I chew my lip, waiting for him to say it’s okay and we’ll try another time. But instead, his voice softens, full of understanding.

“It’s okay Charlie, I get it. How about this… I’ll come over to yours. We can still hang out, just the four of us. I’ll bring lunch, and we’ll make a day of it. Maybe take the kids somewhere fun.”

Surprised relief floods through me, and I feel a smile tug at the corners of my lips. “Really?”

“Of course. I’d love to spend the day with you and the kids. We can hit the zoo or the park, whatever they’re into.”

I smile, unable to help the warmth spreading through me at his willingness to adapt. “They’d love the zoo. That sounds perfect.”

“Great. I’ll be over in a bit. Don’t stress—this is all good. Okay?”

“Okay,” I breathe, the weight lifting off my shoulders. “Thanks, Jake.”

“Anything for you, Charlie girl,” he says softly before hanging up.

I stare at the phone for a moment, grinning like an idiot at the way he’s so understanding, so willing to be part of my life, kids and all. He’s not just tolerating them, but embracing them. And of course I should expect that, but it's still overwhelming how naturally he does it.

With Jake due any moment, the kids are bouncing with excitement. Noah's at the window, eagerly awaiting Jake’s arrival, while Meadow twirls around the living room, her giggles filling the air. I’ve calmed down, but when I hear Jake’s SUV pull up, my heart starts racing again.

“Mum, he’s here!” Noah shouts, darting toward the front door.

I open the door just as Jake steps out, looking way too good in a jacket, t-shirt and jeans, sunglasses on and his cap turned backward. Some of his dark brown hair flicks out underneath, and I wonder how he hasn’t been arrested yet for disturbing the peace.

He’s holding a brown bag of deli food in one hand and two stuffed animals peeking out from the crook of his arm. My heart does a flip at the sight—he’s brought lunch and something for the kids.

“Hey, guys!” he calls, kneeling down as Noah barrels into him.

“Jake!” Noah’s face lights up as Jake ruffles his hair. “What did you bring?”

“Something for lunch,” Jake says, glancing up at me with a wink that makes me weak on the spot. “And maybe a little something for you and your sister.”

He pulls out a lion with a soft mane and hands it to Meadow, who gasps with delight. “For me?” she whispers, her big eyes wide.

“For you,” Jake says, eyes crinkling with a smile. “Every zoo visit needs a lion.”

Meadow clutches the toy to her chest, glowing with happiness. “Thank you, Jake!”

Watching them, my heart swells. He’s so natural with them, so caring. It hits me just how different this is from what I’ve known.

“Hope you’re hungry,” he says huskily as he brushes past me, following the kids into the living room. I definitely am, but it’s not for lunch.

We settle down for a 'picnic' in the lounge, the kids chattering as they dig into the sandwiches Jake brought. Noah tells him all about his favorite animals, and Jake listens, asking questions and engaging with both of them like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world. Noah and Meadow are completely at ease, clearly adoring him.

At one point, Meadow spills her juice, and before I can react, Jake’s there calmly mopping it up with a napkin and reassuring her it’s no big deal. It’s a small thing, but he handles it with such care and understanding that my chest tightens.

When we finish eating, I gl ance at the clock. “We should probably head out if we want to make it to the zoo before it gets too crowded.”

Jake nods, already standing to help clean up. “I can transfer their carseats to my car, if you like. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”

I watch him move to get the kids’ seats, rooted to the spot. It’s such a simple gesture, but it means the world. He’s not just here for me, he’s showing me he’s here and thinking of them, too.

Once the kids are strapped in, I slide into the passenger seat, sneaking glances as Jake navigates the city streets. His hand rests on the gear shift, but when we stop at a red light, he reaches over, gently placing it on my leg. The warmth of his touch seeps through the fabric of my jeans, grounding me.

“You okay?” he asks quietly, his thumb brushing my thigh.

I nod, turning to meet him. “Mhmm.”

His smile is reassuring, and I feel the tension ease in me. “Relax, Charlie,” he says, giving my knee a squeeze. “Today’s gonna be fun.”

***

At the zoo, it’s like watching Jake come to life in a new way. He’s in his element, guiding the kids from one exhibit to the next, his enthusiasm matching theirs. He lifts Meadow onto his shoulders so she can see the giraffes, and when Noah insists on reading every sign, Jake listens patiently, encouraging him. Noah’s only just started at his new school, and I’m so proud watching him sound out words, Jake cheering him on.

When we reach the penguins, Noah practically fizzes. “Jake, look! They’re swimming!”

Jake laughs as he watches Noah’s delight. “They’re pretty fast, huh?”

“Yeah! Do you think I could swim that fast?”

“I bet you could, buddy,” Jake says, ruffling his hair again. “Maybe even faster.”

I smile at the exchange, fe eling a lump rise in my throat. This is what I’ve been missing. And seeing it now, it makes me realize how much I want this for them. Someone who’s present, who genuinely loves being around them.

As we move through the zoo, Jake effortlessly shifts between being playful with the kids and attentive to me, making sure I’m included in every moment. At one point, he catches my eye and winks, and I feel my cheeks heat, turning away with a sheepish grin. He knows he’s getting to me, and he’s enjoying it.

Later, we stop for ice cream, and Meadow takes an eternity to decide on a flavor. I’m helping her, crouched down by the display and explaining each one, when Jake leans down beside me, his hand finding my lower back.

“How are my girls doing? Too hard to decide?”

I turn my head slowly to him, raising an eyebrow. My girls. The twinkle in his eye says he knows exactly what he’s said.

“I can’t deciiiide, it’s too haaaard!” Meadow whines, and I brace myself for a meltdown.

I glance back at Jake with a mock grimace, signaling we’re treading into tantrum territory. As I turn back to try and cajole Meadow, Jake steps in first.

“C’mere, Princess. I’ll hold you up so you can see better.” His hands bracket my hips lightly as he brushes behind me, reaching for her to lift her up. She giggles, clearly a fan of his attention, and honestly, I don’t blame her.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize that Jake Brooks and Meadow Grace are a charm offensive. No one is safe—not even the server at the ice cream stand, who happily hands over sample after sample.

I clamp my teeth down on my lips. This man just saved me from a three-year-old’s public meltdown, and it might be the hottest thing anyone’s ever done for me.

Actually, second hottest. Because now he’s turning toward me, extending a sample of chocolate fudge ice cream on a tiny spoon.

“Open wide, Mama.” He smirks, using the name only Meadow calls me, feeding me the sample.

I can’t help what I do next. I hold his gaze as he places the spoon in my mouth, and I slowly close around it. His smile falters as I make a small moan in the back of my t hroat as I swallow, eyes dropping to my lips as I lick them clean.

I smile, teasing. “Mm, I’d definitely choose this one.”

He doesn’t look away. “Me too.”

Internally, I die. I know neither of us is talking about ice cream anymore. Externally, I keep my cool, reminding myself we’re in public, surrounded by families. It’s a miracle Jake hasn’t been recognized, and I realize that’s what the sunglasses and cap must be for.

Either way, I’m glad we’ve so far had his undivided attention, so I’m not about to draw attention to him now by jumping the man in public. And I’m hyper aware of Noah and Meadow seeing us interact, so I’m trying to keep it friendly. Apart from that one ice cream spoon moment, but I'm maintaining that he goaded me.

The rest of the day passes in a blur of laughter, and by the time we reach home, the kids are asleep in their seats. I glance at Jake, silhouetted by the evening light, and feel a surge of emotion so strong it almost takes my breath away.

When we pull up to the house, he cuts the engine, and we both sit in the quiet for a moment, the only sound the soft breathing of the kids in the backseat.

“Thank you,” I say softly, breaking the silence. “For today.”

Jake turns to me, warm and a little serious. “You don’t have to thank me, Charlie. I wanted to do this. I loved every minute of it.”

His sincerity makes my pulse race, and I lean over to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. “Still, I appreciate it.”

He smiles at that, his eyes meeting mine in the dim light. There’s something unspoken between us—a promise, or maybe just an understanding that today was important. That this, whatever it is between u s, is becoming something important.

***

Jake

“Should we get these two inside?” I nod toward the kids, still fast asleep in the backseat.

Charlotte nods, and we both quietly exit the car. I carefully unbuckle Noah and lift him out, cradling him against my chest. His head lolls against my shoulder, completely out cold.

As I carry him inside, his little arms wrap instinctively around my neck, and my heart swells with a fierce protectiveness I didn’t know I was capable of. This little guy, who’s already been through a lot, trusts me enough to hold him close. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

Noah stirs slightly as I walk up the stairs, his eyes blinking open for just a moment. “Jake?” he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep.

“Yeah, buddy. I’ve got you,” I whisper, making my voice as soothing as possible.

“Kay,” he breathes, his head dropping back onto my shoulder. Then, barely audible, he mumbles, “I like that you’re my Mum’s friend.”

I pause, overwhelmed by his sleepy words. It’s so simple, so innocent, but it settles deep in my chest. Because this isn't just about Charlie. It’s about all of them.

Once he’s tucked in bed, I linger for a moment, a quiet protectiveness settling in me. There’s something about this kid that hits me hard—maybe because I know what it’s like not to have someone there when they should be.

He deserves better. Someone who sticks around. Someone who gives a damn.

I ruffle his hair softly. “Sleep tight, buddy.”

When I step out, Charlie’s just coming out of Meadow’s room, gently closing the door. She gives me a tired smile, equal parts exhaustion and contentment.

“Thank you for helping me get them to bed,” she whispers, as if talking any louder might disturb the quiet.

“Thank you for letting me be a part of it,” I reply, just as softly.

I follow her back down the stairs and into the living room, and a comfortable silence settles between us. For a moment, neither of us says anything. The weight of the day, the signifi cance of it all, lingers in the air. It’s not just about a fun day at the zoo or moments shared with the kids—it’s about what all of this means.

“Jake…” She stands there, wringing her hands with hesitation, and I feel compelled to put her mind at ease.

I take a step closer, my hand instinctively moving up to cup her face, thumb brushing gently along her cheek. “Charlie, I’m all in. Whatever this is between us, I want it. I’m not going anywhere.”

The words spill out before I can second-guess them, but I know they’re true. I’ve never felt this sure about anything. Seeing the way she looks at me now, with this mix of hope and vulnerability, only strengthens that certainty.

It might seem fast, but I don’t care. I just hope she feels the same way.

“I want this, too,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. But it’s enough. It’s everything.

I chuckle with relief, leaning in to press my lips to her forehead. “God, I’m glad you said that.”

She closes her eyes, and I feel her relax into me, the tension of the day finally ebbing away. It feels right, like this is exactly where we were always meant to end up—together.

“Stay…” she whispers, her voice soft but sure, looking up at me. “Just a bit longer?”

For a second, it knocks the air out of me, because I’m already so far gone for her. And if I stay, I know I’ll get to a point where I never want to leave. I search her eyes for any sign of doubt, but all I see is the same desire that’s been building between us all day.

“You sure?”

She nods. “I’m sure.”

That’s all I need. With a low groan I can no longer hold back, I close the distance, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s anything but soft. It’s hungry, intense, and full of everything I’ve held back all day.

Her hands tangle in my hair as I deepen the kiss, pulling her close, needing to feel every inch of her against me and making damn sure she can feel every inch of me, too.

We stumble back toward the sofa, neither of us willing to break the kiss. By the time she falls back onto the cushions, pulling me down with her, my skin is buzzing with anticipation. My hands skate up her sides, gently pushing her top up to brush against the warm skin at her waist.

The quiet moans she lets out as she tilts her head back, giving me access to drop warm kisses along her throat, nearly undoes me. Her fingers tighten in my hair, and she pushes her hips up, grinding against me.

But as much as I want her, as much as I want to let this happen, I know I need to slow down. I don’t want to lose control tonight, I want to do this right.

“Charlie,” I whisper into her neck, my breath coming in ragged gasps. “I want you. God, I want you so much,” I say, pulling back so she can see my face. “But I need you to know this isn’t just a hook-up for me.”

She looks up at me, breathing deeply, dragging her fingertips from my hairline down to my jaw. “I know…”

I search her eyes, finding only sincerity. Still, I want to be sure. “Okay… Then let’s take it slow. As much as I want to get you naked right now, I wanna do this right.”

For a second, I think she might argue, might pull me back down. But instead she nods with a smile, leaning in to kiss me softly. “Slow is fine.”

I kiss her again, savoring the taste of her, before pulling back and helping her sit up with me. We both take a moment to catch our breath, the intensity gradually ebbing into a quiet sense of calm.

Pulling her close against my side, we settle into the sofa. My fingers trace patterns up and down her arm as the weight of the day settles over us. It’s not overwhelming—it’s comforting. Holding her here, feeling her steady breathing, I know that this is exactly what I want. All of it. The hurried frantic moments, the chaos, and all these slow, easy moments, too.

I feel her shift slightly, like there’s something on her min d.

“Jake…”

I tilt my head down to look at her. “Mm?”

She hesitates, staring at her hands. I can see the battle playing out in her head, like she’s deciding whether to let me in on something important. She’s searching for the right words, and I wait, giving her the space she needs. “There’s something you should know. About my time here in the States.”

I sit up a little, giving her my full attention, my arm still around her. “Okay…”

She bites her lip, and I can see the struggle in her eyes. “When I left New Zealand, Alex gave me an ultimatum. He said I had a year to prove that the kids were settled here, that this life was better for them. Otherwise, he wants me to bring them back.”

A protective instinct flares inside me. The thought of her ex trying to control her and the kids from halfway around the world pisses me off more than I can say.

But I keep my voice calm for her sake. Charlie and her kids have already become important to me, and the thought of losing them—of them being forced back into a situation that’s less than they deserve—lights a fire in my chest. “That’s not fair, Charlie. He’s using the kids to control you.”

She nods, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. “I know. It’s been weighing on me since we got here. I don’t want to go back. I want to stay, but I need to be sure that this is the right choice for Noah and Meadow.”

I’m quiet, processing her words. I can tell she knows this move was a good choice for her, but her ex is clearly still in her head, manipulating her with doubt. The weight of it all hangs heavy, but I know one thing for sure, I’m not letting her go again.

After a beat, I reach up and gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s a lot to carry, Charlie girl,” I say softly. “I’m glad you told me.”

She exhales, like sharing this has lifted some of the burden. “I didn’t want to keep it from you. I want to make sure the kids are happy and settled, but there’s always that worry… like it’s not enough.”

I tighten my grip, brushing my thumb over her shoulder. “It is. You’re a great mom. I’ve seen how much Noah and Meadow love it here already. You’re doing everything right.”

Her expression softens. “Thanks. I just needed to say it out loud, I guess.”

Tilting her chin, I make sure she’s looking right at me. The kiss that follows is slow, tender, full of what I feel for her. Her lips are soft against mine, and her response is full of that same deep pull.

I want her so badly, but it’s more than that, it’s a fierce need to be here for her and the kids, to fight for this chance to keep them here. I pull back, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll figure it out, Charlie. One step at a time.”

She settles into me, and I feel her relax further. “Yeah… one step at a time.”

The house is quiet, save for the soft sound of her breathing. I didn’t think I’d feel this attached so quickly, but it’s there, clear as day. Something about this family feels right, like they’re where I’m supposed to be.

Noah’s sleepy words replay in my mind, the way the little guy instinctively snuggled closer as I tucked him into bed. He’d mumbled that he liked I was his mom’s friend, and the innocence of it sinks into me like an anchor. I want to be someone they can rely on, someone she can rely on.

And a damn bit more than just her friend.