Page 31

Chapter thirty-one

Hazel James

“You’ve been quiet,” Emmett murmurs into my ear as he comes up behind me in the kitchen. I stir the pot of hot cocoa I’m making for the girls to drink during their movie. It’s probably irresponsible to give Raven more chocolate after all the sugar she’s already had today, but when she and June teamed up with their puppy dog eyes, I didn’t stand a chance.

“It’s been a long week,” I say, my abdomen tensing when he wraps an arm around me.

He uses his other hand to move my hair away from my neck and presses a kiss to the skin there. My eyes flutter shut. I lean into him. His warm strength seeps into my weary bones and I feel my eyes sting. If I cry he’s definitely going to know something’s wrong. I already told him about the situation with my mom, so he might assume it was residual emotions, but he might think something deeper is going on. And after all that’s happened today, I’m not sure I’m ready to have a conversation about possibly having to quit my job.

“Do you want to go to bed early? The girls can watch the movie without you.”

Another thoughtful gesture. Another melt-worthy kiss.

“I want to go back to last night with you,” I admit in a whisper.

He hums, kissing below my ear. “I can’t make time travel happen, but I wouldn’t mind repeating last night. Why don’t you meet me outside once the girls are in bed?”

“That sounds nice,” I say, trying to keep my tears in check.

I want to blurt everything out and get it off my chest. The pressure is building inside me at a rate that I won’t be able to keep in much longer. I open my mouth to tell him I need to talk to him when June runs into the kitchen. Emmett moves away slowly. My face burns as June looks up at us with wide eyes.

“Miss Hazel, can I have sprinkles on my hot chocolate? Raven wants some too.”

It seems the two of them are already conspiring. Raven probably sent June in here because she thought we wouldn’t be able to refuse her cuteness. She was right.

I smile at her. “If your dad says yes, then you can.”

“Daddy, can I pleaseee have sprinkles?”

“Yes, but Miss Hazel is going to put them on, not you.”

June’s bottom lip juts out. “Okay.”

“What do you say?” I prompt her.

“Thank you, Daddy!” She bounces over and wraps her arms around the both of us.

“You’re welcome,” Emmett says, amusement in his voice. June turns to leave, but Emmett stops her, shooting me a meaningful look before saying, “Wait, Miss Hazel and I have something we want to tell you.”

June tips her head to the side. Emmett bends his knees to be down on her level. Oh, we’re doing this now. A fluttery feeling fills my stomach. There’s no real reason to be nervous, but this still feels like a big deal.

“Miss Hazel and I are dating now. Do you know what that means?” June shakes her head no. “It means that you might see us be closer and hug each other. And she’s going to spend a lot more time with the both of us.”

A smile stretches June’s lips. “That is the best thing ever! Will we have more sleepovers?”

I choke on a laugh. Emmett presses his lips together.

“We’ll see,” Emmett says in a tight voice.

“Yay!” she cheers, taking his words as a yes per usual. “Can I go color now?”

I laugh. “Sure, sweet pea.”

She hugs Emmett, then hugs me tight too before skipping out of the kitchen. Emmett rises to his feet.

“That went well,” I say.

His expression is soft when he replies, “I knew it would. She loves you.”

The warmth in his gaze rivals the hot cocoa on the stove. He dips his chin and presses a kiss to my lips. I want to sink into it, to enjoy this newfound intimacy between us, but it’s hard when there’s so much on my mind. I pull away before he can deepen the kiss, but try not to show anything in my expression that would reveal my inner thoughts.

“Should probably get this off the stove before it burns,” I say quietly.

The hot chocolate is thick as it flows into each of the mugs. My recipe is closer to sipping chocolate than hot cocoa. It’s a mixture of recipes I’ve tweaked over the years. Raven calls it ‘death by hot chocolate.' I call it my comfort drink, which I desperately need after today.

After a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a dash of pink princess sprinkles, the mugs are ready to go.

“I’ll get two and you get two?” Emmett suggests.

I nod, forcing my lips into a smile. He presses a brief kiss to my lips before grabbing two of the mugs and heading to the living room. I follow behind him, careful not to spill the drinks. Emmett sets one in front of June, who’s on the floor by the coffee table. Her hair is wet from her bath and she’s got on her ocean pajamas since we’re watching Moana .

“Thank you,” she says sweetly.

Emmett hands the other mug to Raven, who’s occupying the chaise lounge portion of the sectional. She looks up from her phone and smiles at him.

“Thanks, Emmett.”

He simply nods before settling into the other corner of the couch. I hand him his hot chocolate, then snuggle up next to him. He pushes a blanket down off the back of the couch. I shoot him a smile before draping it over my legs.

Emmett grabs the remote, and then the movie begins. I look around the living room while the opening credits play. Raven is curled up beneath a blanket, her phone turned over beside her and her eyes on the tv screen, a content smile on her lips. June is wiggling in between sips of hot chocolate. Her wet curls sway with her movements.

Tears prick at my eyes. This is perfect. Too perfect. All my life, since I was June’s age, I’ve wanted this. A family to make hot cocoa for. A husband who loves me and wants me. People to come home to and to create a home for. It’s right here in front of me, but it’s happening so fast I’m not sure it can last.

It’s cute and fun when June and Raven team up for sprinkles on what’s basically a sleepover, but things will be different in day-to-day life. I have to be Raven’s parent. He has to be June’s. I don’t know how or when those roles will intertwine. He’s my boss, and yet also my boyfriend. Those two don’t go together.

Emmett’s fingertips trace circles on my shoulder. I let my eyes fall shut. If only this could be our life, but it can’t. Not yet, at least. I won’t pressure him into taking care of me more than he already has. It’s simply too much.

I’ll start looking for a new job tomorrow morning, even though just the thought breaks my heart.