I shrugged. “I can maybe cook something. I make a mean hot dog and macaroni and cheese.” I grinned.

“He does,” Hope spoke.

“But, how about we order something in? Maybe a pizza, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican. You name it.”

“I want tacos!” Hope expressed.

“Tacos sound good, Miss Hope. What do you think, Lorelei?”

“Tacos it is.”

“Are you hungry now or should we wait a while?” I asked them.

“We can eat later. I’m going to get a snack and then do my homework now so we can watch a movie later. Just the three of us.” Hope smiled.

“And what movie would that be?” I asked.

“Cinderella.”

I raised my brow. “Haven’t you seen that like a billion times?”

“Yes.” She giggled. “But I love it and you never watched it, have you?”

“No. I haven’t.”

“Good. Then we can all watch it together later.” She took Luna and walked away.

I followed her into the kitchen and cut her up an apple. I placed the slices on a plate with some peanut butter as she sat down at the table and started her homework. I took another plate of apples and handed it to Lorelei.

“Apples?” I asked.

She smiled as she took one from the plate and bit into it.

After dinner, Hope changed into her pajamas and summoned me to sit down to watch Cinderella.

“You can sit next to me, Jack.” She smiled as she patted the couch.

Lorelei fell asleep more than halfway through the movie. I wish I could have done the same thing.

“Isn’t Prince Charming the best?” Hope asked as she looked at me.

“He’s not all that.” I grinned.

She giggled. “Yes he is. He never gave up finding Cinderella, his true love. Then he made her his princess. That’s why he’s the best.”

“Do you have a crush on Prince Charming?” I asked.

“Maybe.” She giggled.

Just as the movie ended, Lorelei woke up. She looked like an angel while she slept and I couldn’t help but steal glances at her from time to time.

“Okay, kiddo. It’s time for bed. Go brush your teeth and I’ll be up there to tuck you in.”

“Okay, Jack, but I want my mom to tuck me in too.”

She went upstairs and I looked at Lorelei.

“You missed half the movie.”

“I’ve seen it a million times.” She smiled. “I can practically recite every line.”

“I bet you can.”

We both got up and went to tuck Hope in. When we reached her bedroom, she was already in bed. Lorelei pulled the covers over her and kissed her good night.

“Good night, kiddo.” I patted her head.

“Don’t forget to say good night to Luna.” She held her doll out to me.

“Good night, Luna.” I shook her small cloth arm.

Hope giggled as we turned off the light and stepped out of the room. I followed Lorelei into her room to make sure she settled in comfortably.

“Are you tucking me into bed, Jack?” She raised her brow.

“Do you want me to?” I smirked as I stood in front of her.

“I’m more than capable of tucking myself in.”

I ran my thumb across her cheek and stared into her tired eyes.

“Thank you for staying here. I know you wanted your own bed, but this way was easier for everyone.”

All I wanted to do was to climb into bed with her and hold her for the rest of the night. These emotions that consumed me were new and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle them.

“I’m sorry, Lorelei,” I whispered as I stroked her hair.

“For what?”

“Everything.” I leaned in closer and softly brushed my lips against hers.

She placed her hand on my chest and pulled away. “I’m tired, Jack. Good night.”

“Good night.”

I walked out of her room, frustrated as fuck, and went downstairs and poured myself a scotch.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Lorelei

Climbing into bed, I placed my fingers on my lips, still feeling the tingling sensation of his soft kiss. I forgot to take my last antibiotic pill for the night, so I climbed out of bed and went downstairs where I saw Jack sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace, holding a drink.

“I thought you went to bed.”

“Why are you up?” he asked.

“I forgot to take my pill.”

I walked into the kitchen and took a pill from the bottle that was sitting on the counter. Jack followed behind, opened the refrigerator and handed me a bottle of water.

“Thanks.”

He nodded his head and went back to the living room, pouring himself another scotch.

“What’s wrong, Jack? I can tell something is bothering you.”

“Nothing. Go to bed, Lorelei,” he spoke in a harsh tone.

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”

He took in a sharp breath. “Fine. Sit down.”

I sat down on the couch and he proceeded to tell me about what his mother had done. I was in shock to say the least.

“Now I have to tell Coco tomorrow and I’m not sure how she’s going to react. Unfortunately, she’s in love with that asshole.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You and me both.” He paced around the room, throwing back his drink. “Listen, I’m sorry for kissing you earlier. It was a mistake and I got caught up in the moment. I’m just happy you’re feeling better. I’ll see you in the morning.” He set down his glass on the bar and walked up the stairs.

A mistake? Another mistake he made with me. The only reason I pulled away was because I couldn’t let myself get wrapped up in him again. If I had kissed him back, I would have. I was still trying to deal with the fact that I didn’t tell him about Hope from the beginning. I’d never forget the look on his face that night he came to my apartment. The disappointment that his eyes displayed as they stared at me played over and over in my head. I fucked up, but so did he with the things he said, and I wasn’t sure if we could ever get past that.

****

The next morning, I showered and threw on a pair of leggings and a long t-shirt. When I walked into the kitchen, Hope was sitting at the table eating waffles and Jack was pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“Good morning, baby.” I kissed Hope on her head.

“Morning, Mommy. Jack made me waffles.”

“I see that.”

“Coffee?” he asked in a bitter tone.

“Yes, please.” I walked over to where he was standing.

“Would you like breakfast? I make some pretty mean waffles. Just ask Hope.”

She giggled. “He burnt the first two waffles and had to throw them out.”

“I can make my own breakfast. You’ve done enough.” I lightly touched his arm and he pulled away.

“Let me. You go sit down and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

“You better do as he says, Mommy.” Hope smiled.

I sighed and took my coffee to the table, where I sat down next to Hope. After setting the plate of waffles down in front of me, Jack took a seat across from us.

“Coco may be here before I get back,” he spoke as he sipped his coffee.

“All right. I’ll be on the lookout for her.”

As soon as Hope was finished eating, I kissed her goodbye and walked her and Jack to the elevator.

“Have a good day, baby.”

“I will, Mommy. You too.”

I stood and watched as Jack took Hope’s backpack from her and placed his hand on the top of her head. A feeling washed over me that I couldn’t describe. For a brief moment, it felt like we were a family. He was still angry with me for last night and his attitude still carried on this morning. He wasn’t happy when I pulled away from him. I shook off the feeling, went back to the kitchen, and poured another cup of coffee. A few moments later, I heard the elevator doors open and Coco walked in.

“Lorelei, so happy to see you out of the hospital.” She walked over and lightly hugged me.

“It’s good to see you, Coco. How’s everything going?”

“Meh. As well as could be expected, I guess.”

She took down a cup from the cupboard and poured some coffee into it.

“Where’s Jack?”

“He took Hope to school. He’ll be back soon.”