Page 21

CHAPTER 21

Matt

W hat the hell, why am I so hot? I’m sweating through my pyjamas, and something is wrapped around me.

The events of last night hit me.

Zoey is wrapped around me.

My eyes fly open. Zoey Williams is wrapped around me, in my bed, and I’m sporting morning wood. Of fucking course. As much as I absolutely love her this close and in my bed, I need to slide out so I can deal with my situation before Jayden wakes up, which I know will be any minute now. I’m surprised he hasn’t woken me up yet.

I go to lift her leg, but she clamps it down and tightens her arm around me. This woman has me so torn. On one hand, I want to stay with her and just enjoy this, because who knows if this will ever happen again, but the last thing I want to do is freak her out when she wakes up and finds me hard.

My rational brain wins out, and after some finagling, I manage to slide out and make it to the bathroom. I lean over the bathroom counter.

Okay, get your shit together, Matt. Zoey only slept over last night because there was no way you were letting her drive home with how tired she was. It was nothing more. She only cuddled you last night because she was probably cold, and you were right there. It doesn’t matter that you’ve never enjoyed cuddling but wanted to stay in her arms.

Jayden starts making noises, and I take a look at myself in the mirror and give my head a shake. I open the bathroom door and make my way to Jayden, but I stop in my tracks when I see Zoey standing beside his crib. Last night, I never took in how good she looks in my clothes. My shorts come almost past her knees and my shirt swallows her, giving her no shape, but damn is she gorgeous. She’s pulled her messy hair into a bun on top of her head, showing off her face and bright smile as she bounces Jayden and talks to him.

“Didn’t we have a long sleep? Do we think we’re ready for a new nappy and some breakfast?” She presses her face into his tummy, and he giggles. Watching them together like this has me wishing we could do this every morning.

She turns and smiles when she sees me. “Good morning.”

I smile back. “Good morning. Did Jayden wake you up?”

She looks at him with the softest expression. “He did, but what a great way to wake up to this adorable little one. I was just going to change him and make him a bottle.”

I reach for him. “Why don’t I change him?”

She laughs. “Sounds good, because I think he left a present in there for you. I’ll get his bottle ready.”

I take him from her, kissing his cheek and, without thinking, kiss hers as well. I swear she blushes, but she’s around me before I have the chance to confirm my suspicion.

When I come out of the bedroom with Jayden, Zoey is sitting cross-legged on the couch with a bottle between her legs. I join her, and instead of handing me the bottle, she takes Jayden from me and starts feeding him. I stare at them, not sure what I’m supposed to do. For the last almost two months, I’ve done it all, the changing, the feedings, playing with and entertaining him, and I love it all. I love bonding with my son, but you never realize how much work it is until you’re the one doing it.

“Breakfast?” I ask, and Zoey nods.

I rummage through the fridge, pull out some eggs and bacon, and find a box of pancake mix in the cabinet, and whip it all together, bringing Zoey a plate when it’s all done. She puts Jayden in the Jolly Jumper, and we dig in.

“So, what do you say about finishing that Star Wars marathon?”

“I have no change of clothes,” she says.

I grin. “I think you look perfectly fine in what you’re wearing.”

She looks down at my old Vancouver Cyclone shirt and basketball shorts. “Matt, they’re your clothes.”

I nod. “I know, and you look great in them.”

I never thought I’d get off on seeing a woman wearing my clothes, but I guess, much like cuddling, it’s something I only enjoy with Zoey. This time I do catch her blush as she tries to hide her face by tucking a piece of hair that’s fallen from her bun behind her ear.

“What do you say, Zo? We doing this thing?”

She nods, and I can barely contain my excitement. I pull up Solo, because if we’re doing a marathon, we’re doing this right way and watching them all in chronological order. Having her so far away is annoying. Last night when she curled up into my side, it felt so natural, like that was where she was supposed to be. We split our time between watching the screen and making faces or dancing toys in front of Jayden. His favourite one is the blue stuffed elephant Zoey bought him.

When the screen fills with colour, he becomes so fascinated with it, making squealing sounds and shaking his arms as he bounces when explosion sounds fill the room. We spend the entire day together, playing with Jayden and watching movies. We only make it through Episode VI before we decide to call it a night.

“Do you want to crash another night so we can finish this marathon tomorrow?” I ask as she yawns and stretches her arms above her.

She shakes her head. “I should probably get home. I’m sure Henry is going to be wondering where I’ve been the last thirty-six hours.”

I don’t blame him. If Liv or Gi lived with me and they didn’t come home, I’d be wondering where they are. Worried about whether they’re safe or not.

I walk her to the door, wanting to be close to her as long as possible. As she reaches for the door, something in me snaps, and I hold the door closed and stare down at her. Her expression is shocked. Her beautiful brown eyes are wide as they look back at me. She sucks in a breath as I push a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Let me take you out on a date.” It comes out sounding like a demand, but really it’s a plea. I’ve never wanted to spend this much time with a woman, but with Zoey, I can’t get enough. I want to see if maybe we could be more.

“A date?” She practically squeaks out the words.

I nod and grin. “Yeah, Zo, a date. You and me, maybe some dinner and conversation.”

“With me?”

My grin widens. “Yes, Zoey. I want to take you out on a date.”

She is far from her usual confident self right now, and it only adds to my ego that I have this effect on her. She bites her lip and nods slightly before she pulls her shoulders back and I see a little shine of her confidence. “Yeah, I’ll go on a date with you.”

“Good. I’ll text you the details.” She nods again, and I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Text me when you get home.”

I open the door for her and watch as she makes her way down the hall to the elevator, looking over her shoulder with a slight blush as she presses the button. As soon as she’s inside, I close the door and do a little fist pump, because I just scored a date with Zoey fucking Williams.

I text Gianna right away.

Matt

Can I drop Jayden off with you on Friday for a sleepover?

Gi

Sounds good. I’m sure Mom will be happy to have him in the house.

Matt

Thanks. Does 4 p.m. work?

Gi

Yup.

With babysitting covered, I get to work picking a restaurant. I call and make a reservation, and when Zoey texts that she’s home, I tell her I’ll pick her up at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.