Page 32 of Something Reckless

ALBA

I drag myself through my front door, feet aching after a long day of working two jobs. It was nice being off over the weekend and hanging out with the girls, but now I’m paying for it a few days later, working double to ensure this week’s bills are paid.

On my way here, I was really tempted to use my last few dollars on some lousy takeout to bring home, because I’m just plain exhausted. But as I step inside the house now, I smell something already cooking and I’m quite proud of myself for resisting temptation instead of splurging on fast food.

Kicking off my shoes, I head straight for the kitchen. “Mom,” I call out, “you’re a lifesaver. Thanks so much for starting dinn—”

My footsteps falter when I hear multiple voices, followed by laughter coming from the kitchen. That definitely doesn’t sound like my mom.

I slowly drop my purse on the couch. Then I catch Easton’s voice. My knees instantly go weak. What in the…?

When I step into the kitchen, there he is. Right next to Jagger, who’s standing on a chair that’s pushed all the way to the counter.

My nephew glances over his shoulder and spots me.“Hi, Mimi!”

“Uh…hi…” I blink. “Um, are you…?”

Easton turns around, giving me one of his megawatt, dimpled smiles. “Making dinner?” he finishes for me. “Oh, yes, we are.”

I scan the cluttered space, eyeballing the pots and pans and ingredients that cover the countertops.

“Is that a Karli’s Kitchen meal prep box?” I ask, stepping up beside them.

Easton follows my gaze. “Yeah, she’s the sister of one of my teammates, and she has some healthy meals that actually taste good, so I like to buy from her website sometimes.”

“Wow. I’ve heard a lot of good things about her recipes,” I say. I don’t add that I’ve always wanted to buy one of these fancy meal boxes, but they’re definitely out of my grocery budget.

I’m still staring at this whole unusual scene in confusion. Easton and Jagger, here in the kitchen whipping up a homemade meal, as I arrive home from work. Soft music playing from Easton’s phone. The whole house smelling divine. I really don’t understand what’s going on here.

“But…what are you…?” I glance at Easton.

Thankfully, he seems to be reading my mind.

“What am I doing here?” He meets my eyes.

Chuckling at my expression, he continues to chop veggies on my cutting board.

“Well, my mom invited your mom to go out shopping this evening. Patty wasn’t going to go since she needed a sitter, but I offered to come hang out with Jagger.

” Doubt drifts over his features like a cloud.

“I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t consider it until we'd already started dinner, but I realize now that you might have had other plans. Or some other meal in mind. If so, I can just…” He puts down his knife, already stepping away from the counter.

I hurriedly reach for his hand, ignoring the electricity that ignites between us. “Oh, no. I don’t mind at all. I never have the time for meal planning.” I give a little shrug.

Easton meant it when he said he wouldn’t let the pending paternity issue change the way he treats Jagger. He actually meant it.

He came over bright and early yesterday morning, driving us all to the testing facility at the hospital.

He held Jagger’s hand as the nurse swabbed the inside of his cheek, assuring the little boy that this new test was nothing to be worried about.

And on the way home, he drove us through the Hot Dog Almighty drive-through to grab an unhealthy late lunch.

Like nothing had changed.

He didn’t ditch us like everyone else has. He said he’d stick around, and for now at least, he’s still here.

I decide, here and now, that I’m sticking to Easton’s plan. I’m trusting the process. So as we wait for the results, I’m choosing to believe that the original DNA test was wrong and the new one will prove what we already know in our hearts—Easton is my nephew’s biological father.

I bring my attention back into the present moment. Jagger looks so happy, grinning from ear to ear. There’s some kind of herb in his hair. And a big smudge of sauce on his nose. But he doesn’t seem to notice, or to care.

My heart squeezes, watching Jagger cook dinner with his father.Who knew this view would make me feel all mushy inside?

“Okay, Mimi.” He looks at the timer on the microwave and nods. “The meal will be finished in twenty-three minutes. Go get ready for dinner!”

I laugh, loving how excited he seems. “Well, okay then. I’ll go do that, if you’re sure you don’t need any help?” I look to Easton.

“We’ve got this, right, Buddy?” He nudges Jagger with his elbow.

The boy nods. “Right.”

Easton’s eyes turn back to me, subtly glancing down my body. “Go get into something comfy, and then we can eat.” He winks at me.

And there go my ovaries, getting all confused again.

I wander off, feeling a little lost, having the next twenty minutes to myself. I don’t have to rush around and figure out what to cook. I don’t have to slump over the stove, whipping up something last minute. There’s no homework to help with tonight.

I just get to… be .

I decide to hop into a quick shower and wash the day away completely. I even take a minute to shave my legs. When I come out, I feel like I’ve successfully hit reset on my evening.

But then I notice my phone sitting on the dresser.

With a few more moments to myself, I make the mistake of checking my social media notifications.

My sister’s grinning face is the first thing I see when I open the app.

Wavy blonde hair floating around her narrow shoulders.

Blue eyes glimmering beneath long eyelashes.

A million pink roses on a European rooftop serving as the backdrop.

And a diamond the size of a phone book now sitting on her ring finger.

We’re engaged! the caption beneath the high definition picture reads .

“We? Who’s we?!” I all but shriek in my quiet bedroom.

My eyes bounce from Raya’s beaming face to that of her new fiancé.

The guy with the too-white teeth and the slicked-back hair is giving slimy, rich oil tycoon vibes.

I can practically smell his overwhelming cologne through the phone.

He’s precisely my sister’s type. Filthy rich and knocking on death’s door, I mean.

Raya continues to Y.O.L.O her way through her luxurious life.

And here I am, drowning daily in difficult decisions. Feeling all weird about having a quiet dinner with her son and his (presumed) father tonight.

No. No more of that shit.

I refuse to feel guilty anymore. I’m going to enjoy this night. I’m going to enjoy every single moment with Easton and Jagger from here on out.

I return to the kitchen not much later, stunned to find that the table is already set. Three glasses. Three forks. And three plates, full of steaming hot veggies and chicken.Easton, Jagger, and I sit down to eat.

“Wow. This is amazing.” I exhale in awe.

Jagger’s eyes are gleaming. He’s so proud.“Take a bite, Mimi. Take a bite.”

When I do, I moan with delight. “Wow. You guys did so good. This is delicious.”

Easton’s attention follows the path of my tongue as I lap up the sauce dribbling down my chin. His eyes stay on me as I take another mouthwatering bite. This time, I shift my stare away from his and hold back my moan.

Reaching over, I squeeze my nephew’s hand. “Thank you. Both of you.”

“Dad says that it’s important for a man to know how to cook. So he can take care of the lady in his life.” Jagger beams at me. “I love taking care of you, Mimi. And now I can even cook for you, too.”

I melt into a pile of goo. “I could get used to that, Buddy.”

I never realized that it was possible to love Jagger more than I already do, but it seems that Easton’s fatherly influence is turning my nephew into the perfect little gentleman.

I make eye contact with Easton across the table and I can’t help the grin that erupts across my face. “Thank you,” I say quietly. “Seriously, thank you.”

Okay, fine. Raya can keep the extravagant diamond and the expensive yacht and the creepy fiancé with his truckload of money.

I’ll take this simple moment in my tiny kitchen, with two incredible dinner companions who make my heart sing.

I’ll choose Jagger and Easton. Any night of the week.